2017 The Chocolate Block

This is the third vintage to be WO Swartland. (The fruit used to come substantially from Wellington but was not as fine.) 64% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 11% Cinsault, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Viognier. All of 2,057 barrels made, and aged at the Helderberg winery. The style of this popular wine has definitely evolved, with the fruit now much more serious and less blowsy. Really quite a complex nose. Fresh and lively. Round and satisfying at the beginning and then it tightens up on the end. Excellent quality in view of the quantity. (JR)

The 2017 The Chocolate Block contains less Syrah than previous vintages: 64%, plus 14% Grenache, 11% Cinsault, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Viognier, the Cabernet being the only variety that saw new oak. It was matured 16 months in used oak. The important factor is that there is not much more fruit sourced from the estate’s vines in Porseleinberg and the Goldmine Vineyards. It has a very well defined bouquet of blackberry, raspberry coulis , crushed rose petals, hints of orange peel and minerals. This is much more detailed and classic in style than previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a fine bead of acidity, and quite saline and spicy in the mouth . The fresh, quite pure finish lingers in the mouth. This is a very impressive wine, to the point where I feel that "The Chocolate Block" no longer reflects the style of the wine. It is a great achievement that this level of quality is achieved with 2,057 barrels of wine. Bravo.