The Chocolate Block

Product Description

The 2015 Chocolate Block is a blend of Syrah (71%), Grenache Noir (15%), Cabernet Sauvignon (8%), Cinsault (5%) and Viognier (1%). This vintage is unique in the sense that all the grapes for our blend are now grown in the Swartland, hence its wine of origin certification. Grenache Noir always softens a masculine blend, adding to the flavour profile and not necessarily enhancing the structure as such. With enough structure from our Syrah, we added a bit more Grenache than previous years. The Grenache was matured in 600L barrels to retain its unmistakable fruity aromas and vibrancy. The wine matures in 1st (all of the Cabernet Sauvignon), 2nd and 3rd fill French oak barrels (eight 2500L French oak foudres) for 16 months before it undergoes a light egg-white fining and filtration. 1 675 barriques were selected for our 2015 vintage.

Tasting Notes: The nose is exceptionally intense and complex with red berry fruit juxtaposed against a dark, brooding fruit compote and Swartland violets. The nose exudes aromas of raspberry, mulberry, blackberry, damson, dark chocolate and liquorice with whiffs of cloves, nutmeg and orange rind. The wine has a soft, smooth entry, a rich mid-palate and the abundance of red and black berry fruit on the nose follows through with balanced acidity and svelte cocoa powdery tannins. The Porseleinberg fruit certainly makes an impact to the blend, lending structure and a piercing yet lifted perfume. The wine has a long, lingering finish reminiscent of Swiss dark hazelnut chocolate.

Analysis:

ALCOHOL:14.74%vol

pH: 3.73

VA: 0.67g/l

RS: 2.83g/l

TA: 4.95g/l