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. Producer Information Boekenhoutskloof is one of South Africa's most prominent wine producers. Located in the Franschhoek Valley it is well-known for producing premium red wines, in particular The Chocolate Block which is an ever-changing blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Cinsaut, among others. The estate was established in 1776, and takes its name from the indigenous Cape Beech trees (boekenhout) which surround the property. It came under its current ownership in 1993, at which point the cellars and winery were revamped. The vineyard has approximately 20 hectares (50 acres) under vine, 75-percent of which is planted to red grape varieties. This includes Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Mourvedre along with the Chocolate Block varieties. White grapes planted at Boekenshoutskloof include Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. The Boekenhoutskloof portfolio is led by a range of single-varietal wines named for the estate as well as The Chocolate Block. These include a Syrah, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Semillon. The Wolftrap and Porcupine Ridge are Boekenhoutskloof's entry-level ranges, providing a range of easy-drinking, approachable red and white wines. In 2009 Boekenhoutskloof acquired two sites in Swartland to produce a premium varietal Syrah. The dry-climate, rocky bedrock and schist-based soils here create ideal terroir for the production of intense and perfumed Syrah.
