93 point

It takes a lot of talent - and good grapes - to make one million bottles of something this impressive. Using fruit from Goldmine, Porseleinberg and a block in Malmesbury, it's a seamless cuvée of Syrah with 26% Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier. Polished, scented and glossy, with blueberry and blood orange flavours, fresh acidity, good structure and nuanced oak.

92 point

92P+: The 2021 Chocolate Block opens with fresh red fruits, spicy potpourri, plum skin, dark cherry and dusty flowers. With a medium to full body, it presents a delightful mix of red and pink peppercorns. The wine offers succulence and balance with a firm tannic edge and a spicy and delightful finish. This blend, composed of 74% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Viognier, aged for 14 months in a combination of Stockinger foudre and older French oak. It deserves applause. Bravo!

91 point

An inviting nose of pitted cherries, sliced plums, white pepper and tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. Juicy and savory with nicely ripened red and black fruit. Subtle spice and cocoa undertones. 74% syrah, 10% grenache, 8% cinsault, 7% cabernet sauvignon and 1% viognier. Sustainable. Vegan.

90 point

The 2021 The Chocolate Block had been bottled a month before my visit. The Grenache and Cinsault plus part of the Syrah comes from Boekenhoutskloof's own vines and the remainder from purchased fruit. It undergoes whole berry fermentation and aged for 14 months in French barriques and two oak foudres. This has a much more refined and focused bouquet than the Chocolate Blocks of yore, brambly black fruit mixed with pencil lead and undergrowth. Impressive delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with powdery tannins, well judged acidity, quite structured and sappy towards the finish. Fine length.

91 point

Sødmefuld, rig, blød, cremet, lækker, chokoladeagtig, krydret, mineralsk, lokal, rank.