Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block 2024

92 POINTS

Monica Larner - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The Boekenhoutskloof 2024 Swartland The Chocolate Block, a blend of 73% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cinsault and 1% Viognier, may not aim for intellectual nuance, but it more than compensates with pure, comforting charm, like a big, shaggy dog asleep by the fireplace. Medium- to full-bodied, it delivers generous black fruit and bold cherry flavors with a smooth, reassuring texture, offering plenty of pleasure. Conceived by vintner Marc Kent as an accessible, crowd-pleasing expression of Swartland fruit, the wine reflects Boekenhoutskloof’s belief that serious craftsmanship and broad appeal need not be mutually exclusive. Production is substantial, with 3,741 barrels made, translating to just over 1.1 million bottles, making it an ideal choice for a long wooden table at a steakhouse surrounded by friends and shared plates.

92 POINTS

Claire Nesbitt - JamesSuckling.com

This creamy, medium-bodied red has aromas of dark cherries, blueberries, cracked pepper and thyme. It’s juicy and smoothly integrated with tasty savory undertones to the dark fruit.

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2024 The Chocolate Block, the popular brand that serves as many people's introduction to South African wine, is based around 73% Syrah this year, whole berry ferment with most of the fruit aged in older 225-litre French barriques. It has a fragrant nose with more red fruit this year, quite floral in style with touches of wilted rose petals filtering through the red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with powdery tannins, touches of sage and thyme infusing the red fruit, a little meaty in style towards the finish. An open and expressive Chocolate Block to drink over the next five or six years.