The Chocolate Block, Vintage 2018
Let’s get to know about this not-so-conventional red wine, The Chocolate Block. This one is all the way from South Africa 🇿🇦. The producer of this wine, Boekenhoutskloof, understands the Mediterranean climate and offers the best blended red wines with dominance of Syrah. Vintage 2019 has 71% Syrah but we bring the vintage 2018 for you.
🍇 Syrah 69%, Grenache 13%, Cinsault 9%, Cab Sau 8%, Viognier 1%
🏞 Region/Appellation : Western Cape/Swartland
🍷ABV : 14.65%
🌡 Serving Temp : 18-20 Degree C
👀 Deep dark and dense ruby. Strong tear on the wall, clearly full-bodied. The overall texture and structure looks complex and one cannot wait to go ahead on a tasting session.
👃🏼 Nose is brooding and dense. Rich and opulent nose gives you a whole bunch of aromas. Primary of course the ripe plums and dark fruits. Black berries, black olives, cocoa and mint. Light floral aroma, clearly from Cinsault. Not much herbs but clear signs of sweet tobacco.
👅 Rich, heavy yet smooth. The complex blend of this red offers a burst of flavours but does not confuse at all. In fact the tannins contributed by Cab Sau are balanced and smooth. On the palate, its mouthful with red cherries, black olives, red currents and a little tart sensation. The significant cedar-wood characteristics are clearly from french oak. This one is matured in the barrel for 14-16 months. Its Dry and bold with not so grippy but enjoyable tannins. The finish is longer than regular full-bodied Syrah, with the good essence of cherry and chocolate.
🍽 Go for a congruent pairing with heavy red meat with a thick sauce. Try a grilled duck. Pure cocoa chocolate with zero sweetness will also complement this beauty.
FOOD PAIRING RECOMMENDATIONS
