WINE =======: 2001 Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block
Tasting Date: 2004-12-25
Varietal    : 44%Syrah, 21%Cab, 17%Gren, 12%Cinsault, 6%Viogn
Score       : 92
Country     : South Africa
State       : Western Cape
Region      : Franschhoek

Notes
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Color is a deep, dark, purpley garnet, fading only slightly
to brick at the edges. It has a pleasant nose, not too
heavy, of berry fruits--blackberry, raspberry--and the
promised hint of chocolate, but subtle. The flavor is very
rich and highly extracted; there's a lot of good flavor in
this wine. Chocolate, sure, but also plenty of jammy dark
fruits, and a dash of black pepper. It's nicely balanced,
with good amounts of acids and tannins and a nice spicy,
lingering finish. This wine was very good--my personal
favorite from a Christmas season awash with (reasonably
priced) wine.

Production Notes
----------------
One of Mark Kent's new limited edition creations, designed
to bridge the gap between the Porcupine Ridge range and the
flagship Boekenhoutskloof offerings. The wine takes its name
from the blends characteristic "chocolately personality" of
this Syrah-driven cepage.

Additional Notes
----------------
The name is clearly a marketing ploy--one that worked well, prompting my
aunt to suggest it after I'd noticed it but then forgotten it again. It
certainly would disappoint anyone hoping for alcoholic Hershey's syrup, but
it's a very tasty wine in its own right, much better than the marketing
trick might suggest.
Output generated by La Wine Club - http://LaWineClub.com/
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