The Chocolate Block South Africa

A standout South African red blend, this is a full-bodied wine with layers of dark berries, coffee, spice and dark chocolate. Blending Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier, it delivers plenty of richness while remaining smooth and balanced. With excellent ratings from critics and wine lovers alike, it’s the perfect bottle for hearty meals, celebrations or enjoying by the fire.

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

The Profile:

An alluring deep ruby red that greets the nose with intense aromas of ripe boysenberry, dark cherry compote, black pepper, and subtle floral violet, accented by hints of cured meat, sweet tobacco, and rich cocoa. On the palate, it is plush, smooth, and layered, offering generous dark plum, blackberry, and mocha flavours supported by fine, velvety tannins and a lingering, spicy finish.

Classic Pairings:

Prime grilled ribeye or sirloin steak, slow-braised venison stew, roasted leg of lamb with rosemary, or a dense mushroom and truffle Wellington. 

Irish Favourite Pairings

• Pan-Seared Irish Ribeye Steak with Garlic Butter: The rich, marbled steak softens the wine’s tannins, bringing out its dark chocolate and blackberry flavours while creating a smooth, full-bodied pairing.
• Gourmet Chipper Snack Box (Fried Chicken & Chips): The wine’s ripe plum and dark berry flavours balance the salty, crispy chicken, while its smooth texture complements the richness of the batter.
• Slow-Cooked Irish Lamb Shepherd’s Pie: The savoury lamb, onion gravy and creamy potato topping pair beautifully with the wine’s oak spice and pepper notes, allowing the ripe berry flavours to shine.

Awards & Accolades

Official Awards: Consistently decorated by world-renowned wine critics, earning 93 Points from Tim Atkin MW, 92-95 Points from James Suckling, and top reviews from Decanter and Wine Spectator across recent vintages.

Vivino: Holds a remarkable 4.2 average rating across tens of thousands of global reviews, placing it securely in the Top 2% of all wines in the world on Vivino.

How the wine is made

Crafted primarily from high-altitude, low-yielding vineyards in Swartland—including the renowned Porseleinberg and Goldmine farms—where bush-vines thrive in ancient decomposed granite and schist soils. The grapes are carefully hand-harvested at optimal maturity and undergo spontaneous whole-berry fermentation in a combination of concrete and stainless steel vats. To preserve fruit purity while adding seamless structure, the wine is aged for 12 to 14 months in large, seasoned French oak barriques before bottling without heavy fining.

Why we love this producer

Established in 1776 in the historic Franschhoek Valley, Boekenhoutskloof is one of South Africa’s premier winemaking pioneers. Under the vision of cellarmaster Marc Kent, the estate combines a profound respect for ancient terroir with precise, minimal-intervention craftsmanship. We love them because they continually push the boundaries of quality, shifting towards sustainably farmed, self-owned Swartland vineyards to ensure every bottle of The Chocolate Block delivers unmatched authenticity, depth, and character.

Sustainability & Farming Practices

Certifications: Certified Sustainable and Biodiversity in Wine Initiative (BWI) compliant, strictly audited for eco-friendly vineyard and winery operations. 

Vineyard Practices: Farmed using sustainable viticultural methods across the Swartland estate plots, focusing on natural soil regeneration, low-water dryland farming, cover cropping to foster natural pest control, and minimal sulphur intervention during vinification.