{"product_id":"boekenhoutskloof-the-chocolate-block-western-cape-2020-750ml","title":"Boekenhoutskloof - The Chocolate Block Western Cape 2023 (750ml)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 2023 Swartland growing season witnessed below average rainfall, ultimately resulting in a\u003cbr\u003echallenging vintage. Late December rains brought mild relief, the vines however, remained\u003cbr\u003eimmensely stressed due to minimal soil moisture. These tricky conditions inevitably saw the\u003cbr\u003evineyards raising small canopies and carrying low yields. Interestingly (and a great blessing), this\u003cbr\u003evintage did not experience the usual December and January heatwaves, leading to lower alcohol\u003cbr\u003econversions and naturally low residual sugar. The resultant wine is balanced and tremendously\u003cbr\u003eelegant with well-integrated tannins.\u003cbr\u003e\"We made an important decision in 2015 to shift from general appellation Western Cape to Wine of\u003cbr\u003eOrigin Swartland. The significance is that we can directly manage the majority of the fruit being\u003cbr\u003evinified for The Chocolate Block and farm the vineyards using our sustainable approach to\u003cbr\u003eviticulture. After more than a decade of working with these Swartland vineyards, our Porseleinberg\u003cbr\u003eand Goldmine farms represent about 60% of the fruit in the final blend. Notably, we can see that the\u003cbr\u003ewines have changed stylistically. With our acquisition of Partnership Vineyard in ’22, we have\u003cbr\u003efurther expanded our footprint in the Swartland and our goal of eventually filling our fermenters\u003cbr\u003ewith our own, sustainably farmed vineyards. It's about the purity of fruit, elegance and structure.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Marc Kent\u003cbr\u003eGrapes are whole-berry fermented in a combination of concrete and stainless steel fermenters with no\u003cbr\u003eadditions being made. After spontaneous fermentation, we transferred the juice to seasoned 225L\u003cbr\u003eFrench barrique. The élevage ranged between 12-14 months, depending on variety.\u003cbr\u003eAlcohol: 14.35%vol\u003cbr\u003eRS: 2.63 g\/l\u003cbr\u003eTA: 5.00 g\/l\u003cbr\u003epH:\u003cbr\u003eBlend:\u003cbr\u003e3.80\u003cbr\u003eSyrah 74%; Grenache 11%; Cabernet Sauvignon 8%; Cinsault 6%; Viognier 1%\u003cbr\u003e2023 VINTAGE 4043 BARRELS\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003eThe nose is rich and intense with its abundance of black- and blueberry fruit, ripe brambles, and notes\u003cbr\u003eof black olives, perfume and dust. Whiffs of white pepper and coriander seed add to the complexity.\u003cbr\u003eThe bright dark berries of the nose follow through onto a juicy, abundant palate with classic red\u003cbr\u003eliquorice and fresh cherry flavours. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with a broad, weighty\u003cbr\u003emidpalate, yet the mouthfeel is smooth, gentle. Lively acidity and svelte, velvety tannins are balanced\u003cbr\u003eand add to the elegance, focus and energy of the wine. Hints of cherry tobacco and exotic spice linger\u003cbr\u003eon a pure, dry finish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Boekenhoutskloof","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42975981797600,"sku":"110145","price":42.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0649\/9713\/0464\/products\/boekenhoutskloof-the-chocolate-block-western-cape.jpg?v=1663883395","url":"https:\/\/www.mywineconnection.com\/products\/boekenhoutskloof-the-chocolate-block-western-cape-2020-750ml","provider":"My Wine Connection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}