Winemaker Notes
Intense blackberry, bramble, and lavender aromas with gentle nuances of potting soil and cured meat dominate a dark and brooding nose. The abundance of perfume and the earthy character of the nose follows through generously onto a powerful palate, with a lush compote of blueberries, ripe plums, black currants and cherries. Cacao-powdery tannins are abundant, adding texture and complexity to an almost savory mid-palate, seamlessly complementing the vivid dark fruits, alcohol and acidity. This is a robust, structured wine, yet it is delicate, poised and elegant at the same time. Black fruits, cumin spice, white pepper, licorice and hints of garrigue persist on a velvety finish.
Blend: 74% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Viognier
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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. Rating: 92+
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James Suckling
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.
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine’s bouquet is subtle but after a few minutes in the glass lovely notes of cranberry and ground black pepper shape the nose. The smooth palate offers black fruit followed by hints of smoke and spices that add depth to this enjoyable red.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
Originally named Franschhoek meaning the “French Corner” because it was home to the influx of French Huguenots, today the valley contains many historic cellars and is an important tourist location because of its proximity to Cape Town.
This valley falls to the southeast of Paarl and is enclosed on three sides by towering mountains. Streams from the slopes flow down to the valley floor, converging to form the Berg River. The area excels in the production of full-bodied reds.