Tasting Notes
The story
Boekenhoutskloof in the beautiful Franschhoek valley in South Africa is perhaps best known for this iconic red blend, The Chocolate Block. I also have its amazing Semillon in stock.
Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech tree greatly prized for making fine furniture. The Boekenhoutskloof label features seven chairs, in the words of the winery "to pay tribute to the skills of 18th century craftsmen and their achievements in creating beauty from natural sources, just like the pursuit of fine wine-making."
Marc Kent is the chief winemaker and driving force behind Boekenhoutskloof. He likes to experiment with the unconventional but his principal commitment is to quality. He is also involved with
Domaine Gayda whose beautiful
Cabernet Franc and
Viognier I stock; these wines also reflect Marc's commitment to quality.
The wine
Boekenhoutskloof describes the style of the wine as "a reflection of our 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."
This 2016 vintage is made up of Syrah 79%, Grenache 11%, Cabernet Sauvignon 6%, Cinsault 3% and the white grape, Viognier, 1%.
This wine will develop a little more over the next few years but can be enjoyed now.
Producer's Notes
"The nose is exceptionally perfumed with an abundance of complex red and dark berry fruit, violets and intense aromas of white pepper. Dark brooding fruit follows through onto a structured, opulent palate with notes of cardamom, cumin, cloves and black pepper. The midpalate is rich, textured and balanced with integrated acidity, cocoa powdery tannins and a definite cedarwood character derived from French oak. White pepper lingers on a smooth, lifted finish."
Awards
92 Points Tim Atkin MW
"... it’s especially impressive in drought-affected 2016 with crowd-pleasing blackberry, bramble and tapenade flavours framed by oak."
16 points JancisRobinson.com Oct 2017
"Now all Swartland, I see. Bright crimson. Definitely not chocolatey any more. Grainy and almost Grenachey but that is just 11% and Syrah dominates the blend. Chewy end. Still quite young. Grainy tannins. A little drying on the finish for now."
