€34.95
In stock
2021 Vintage 3349 Barrels - 20TH VINTAGE EDITIONThe quest to understand the name of this wine and the wine itself is now the stuff of legend. While we are not about to reveal all, we can say that the style of the wine is a reflection of the belief that the Cape, with its Mediterranean climate, is eminently suited to blended reds. The make-up of this wine is tweaked from vintage to vintage to best reflect the season and the ancient vines of great character that are an integral part of the wine’s charm and personality. It is smooth, fine and balanced and has been a cult wine for many years now.
Winemaker's Tasting NoteIntense 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 & cherries. Cacao-powdery tannins are abundant, adding texture and complexity to an almost savoury 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, cuminspice, white pepper, liquorice and hints of garrigue persist on a velvety finishThe 2021 Chocolate Block is a blend of:Syrah 74%; Grenache 10%; Cinsault 8%; Cabernet Sauvignon 7%; Viognier 1%ABV 14.5%
Winemaker's Tasting NoteIntense 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 & cherries. Cacao-powdery tannins are abundant, adding texture and complexity to an almost savoury 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, cuminspice, white pepper, liquorice and hints of garrigue persist on a velvety finishThe 2021 Chocolate Block is a blend of:Syrah 74%; Grenache 10%; Cinsault 8%; Cabernet Sauvignon 7%; Viognier 1%ABV 14.5%
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The Chocolate Block 2021 marks the 20th vintage of this iconic wine. This vintage will be
remembered for offering moderate weather conditions throughout, extending into the onset of
flowering and even into November, where a decent amount of rainfall was experienced. This had a
positive effect and contributed to optimal flowering and fruit set. The cooler growing season was
beneficial for a slow and extended ripening period, resulting in excellent grape quality. The first
grapes were picked on February 5th – slightly later than usual, in what would become the lengthiest
harvest to date. The 2021 wines show a beautiful, restrained elegance due to the extended hang times and mild growing season.
"We made an important decision in 2015 to shift from general appellation Western Cape to Wine of
Origin Swartland. The significance is that we can directly manage the majority of the fruit being
vinified for The Chocolate Block and farm the vineyards using our sustainable approach to
viticulture. After more than a decade of working with these Swartland vineyards, our Porseleinberg
and Goldmine farms represent about 60% of the fruit in the final blend. Notably, we can see that the wines have changed stylistically. It's about the purity of fruit, elegance and structure." - Marc Kent
Syrah is the predominant variety on both farms and makes up 74% of the blend. The Grenache (10%) from bush vines on Porseleinberg is the quiet superstar of the blend, offering pure fruit brightness and texture. The extended hang times allowed for elegant Swartland Cabernet Sauvignon (7%). In summary: The 2021 vintage, although somewhat riper, shows lower alcohol and good natural acidity, which should develop very well for years to come.
Syrah and Cinsault were matured in a combination of seasoned 2,500L French oak foudres and
barriques. Grenache was matured in seasoned 600L demi-muids. Cabernet Sauvignon was the only
component aged in new French oak barriques. The elevage ranged between 12-14 months, depending on component and vineyard parcel. 3349 barriques were selected for our 2021 vintage..
| Grape type | Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Cinsault, Grenache/Garnacha |
|---|---|
| Drinking style | Ripe, full-bodied, oaky |
| Country/Region | South Africa |
| Goes well with | Roast Turkey, Roast Chicken, Chocolate, Thai food, Spicy food, Duck, Lamb, Beef, Roast Meats, Game |
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