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Showing image 1 of 1: The Chocolate Block 750 Ml front bottle
Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block Syrah-led red blend
Boekenhoutskloof · Western Cape / Swartland · South Africa
$25.99
1
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Why it’s a great value
It carries a verified 90-point score from Wine Enthusiast.
Taste profile
SweetnessDry → Sweet
BodyLight → Full
Acidity*Soft → Bright
Tannin*Silky → Grippy
Oak*None → Bold
Fruit*Subtle → Intense
* WineDiscounts editorial estimate based on verified tasting notes.
What it tastes like
Dark berries, black cherry, olive, pepper, licorice and savory spice, with a smooth, dry finish.
You’ll like this if…
A good fit if you like Rhône-style Syrah/Grenache blends, plush New World Shiraz, or red blends that balance richness with savory freshness.
Why buy it
It is one of South Africa's best-known premium red blends, with a recognizable style: generous dark fruit, polished tannin and enough spice and acidity for dinner.
Best for
Roasts, grilled meats, hearty stews and shoppers looking for a full-flavored but not jammy red.
Style
Dry, medium-to-full bodied, Syrah-led Swartland red blend with dark fruit, savory spice, seasoned oak and velvety tannins.
Drinks like
Southern Rhône red blends, South African Syrah blends, polished Shiraz-Grenache blends.
Experience level
Approachable for casual red-wine drinkers, with enough structure and regional character for enthusiasts.
Flavor notes
Pairs well with
Cheese: aged cheddar or blue cheese
Best occasions
Serving & enjoying
- Serving temperature:
- 60-65°F
- Decanting:
- 20-30 minutes to open the spice and dark-fruit aromatics
- Glassware:
- Bordeaux or large universal red wine glass
- Drink or cellar:
- Enjoy now, or hold good-condition bottles for several years from release; check the bottle label for the actual vintage.
- After opening:
- Best within 2-3 days, recorked and kept cool
Guidance partly estimated by WineDiscounts from the wine’s style.
About this wine
Boekenhoutskloof's The Chocolate Block is a Syrah-led Swartland red blend with dark berry fruit, black olive, licorice, pepper and exotic spice notes. It is smooth and medium-to-full bodied, with fresh acidity and velvety tannins that make it generous but still polished.
Wine details
- Type
- red
- Varietal
- Syrah-led red blend
- Grapes
- Syrah 74% (current producer-release blend), Grenache 11% (current producer-release blend), Cabernet Sauvignon 8% (current producer-release blend), Cinsault 6% (current producer-release blend), Viognier 1% (current producer-release blend)
- Producer
- Boekenhoutskloof
- Country
- South Africa
- Region
- Western Cape / Swartland
- Appellation
- Wine of Origin Swartland
- Bottle size
- 750 Ml
- ABV
- 14.35%
Details last verified September 25, 2026
Explore
Winemaking details ›
- Winemaker:
- Marc Kent is quoted in the producer's winemaker comments for this wine.
- Vineyard source:
- Wine of Origin Swartland; the producer states Porseleinberg and Goldmine farms represent about 60% of the final blend, with additional Swartland partnership vineyards.
- Vessel:
- Whole-berry fermentation in concrete and stainless steel fermenters.
About the winery · Boekenhoutskloof ›
Boekenhoutskloof was established in 1776 in the Franschhoek valley, and the name refers to the indigenous Cape Beech tree prized for furniture making. The farm and homestead were bought and restored in 1993, followed by new vineyard plantings including Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon and Viognier. The producer describes itself as a Syrah specialist, and presents The Chocolate Block as a Syrah-based blend. The wine's blend changes from vintage to vintage to reflect the season and the old-vine character behind the wine.
Critic reviews
90/100Wine Enthusiast
“The smooth palate offers black fruit followed by hints of smoke and spices.”
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block Syrah-led red blend dry or sweet?
- Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block Syrah-led red blend is bone dry — its sweetness rating is 1 on our 1 (bone dry) to 5 (sweet) scale. It is medium-to-full bodied.
- What does Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block Syrah-led red blend taste like?
- Dark berries, black cherry, olive, pepper, licorice and savory spice, with a smooth, dry finish.
- What food pairs with Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block Syrah-led red blend?
- It pairs well with pepper-crusted steak or lamb chops, short ribs, oxtail stew or mushroom ragù, Moroccan-style lamb tagine or smoky barbecue and aged cheddar or blue cheese.
- How should I serve Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block Syrah-led red blend?
- Serve at 60-65°F. 20-30 minutes to open the spice and dark-fruit aromatics. Glass: Bordeaux or large universal red wine glass.
- Is Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block Syrah-led red blend a good value?
- At $25.99 it carries a verified 90-point score from Wine Enthusiast; the review is shown on this page.
- What is the bottle size and alcohol content of Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block Syrah-led red blend?
- 750 ml bottle, 14.35% alcohol by volume.