By South African Wines
Discover why Boekenhoutskloof's flagship red has become a must-have for UK wine lovers seeking bold, distinctive South African character.
There's a wine that makes people stop mid-conversation and ask, "What was that called again?" The Chocolate Block has that effect. Despite its name suggesting something sweet and dessert-like, this is pure South African red wine magic — a Syrah-led blend that's bold, spicy, and utterly distinctive.
Created by Boekenhoutskloof in Franschhoek, The Chocolate Block has become something of a cult wine among those who know. For UK wine lovers ready to explore beyond the usual suspects, this is where South African wine gets seriously interesting.
First, let's clear up the name. The Chocolate Block contains no chocolate whatsoever — it's named for the rich, velvety texture and dark fruit intensity that somehow evokes the sensation of fine dark chocolate. The wine itself is a red blend built around Syrah, with supporting roles from Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and often a small splash of Viognier for lift and perfume.
This isn't your typical Bordeaux blend or single varietal. Marc Kent, the winemaker behind The Chocolate Block, sources grapes from multiple sites across the Western Cape, blending them to create something that's greater than the sum of its parts. It's a modern South African approach — less about tradition, more about what tastes brilliant.
The result? A wine that's simultaneously powerful and elegant, fruit-forward but structured, approachable yet complex enough to reward serious attention.
Pour The Chocolate Block and you'll see deep ruby-purple in the glass — the colour alone hints at the concentration within. The nose is immediately inviting: ripe blackberries and dark cherries, violet florals, black pepper spice, and those subtle smoky, almost chocolatey notes that give the wine its name.
On the palate, the Syrah backbone delivers rich dark fruit — blackcurrant, plum, dark cherry — while the Grenache adds elegance and silky tannins. The Cinsault brings bright red berry notes, and that touch of Viognier lifts everything with floral perfume. It's full-bodied without being heavy, spicy without being aggressive.
What strikes most people is the balance. This is a wine with presence — it fills your mouth with flavour — but it never feels overwrought or jammy. The finish is long, warm, and leaves you reaching for another sip.
The Chocolate Block represents everything exciting about modern South African wine. It's not trying to be Bordeaux or Burgundy — it's confidently South African, expressing the warmth and generosity of the Cape while maintaining enough structure to pair beautifully with food.
For British wine drinkers accustomed to more restrained European styles, The Chocolate Block offers a revelation: wine can be bold and expressive without sacrificing elegance. It's what happens when you take excellent fruit, treat it respectfully, and aren't afraid to let it shine.
The price point doesn't hurt either. While this isn't an everyday wine, it delivers complexity and character that would cost significantly more from more famous regions.
The Chocolate Block's bold fruit and spicy edge make it brilliant with hearty British fare. Think slow-roasted lamb with rosemary, beef and ale stew, or proper bangers and mash with caramelised onions. The wine's generosity handles rich, savoury flavours beautifully.
For summer entertaining, it's outstanding with barbecued lamb chops or a good steak off the grill. The smoky notes in the wine echo beautifully with charred meat.
Cheese lovers should try it with aged Cheddar or Stilton — the wine's fruit sweetness balances the sharpness perfectly. And yes, despite the name, it actually works well with dark chocolate desserts, though it's far better suited to the main course.
The Chocolate Block is delicious on release but also has the structure to improve for 5-8 years in proper storage. If you're drinking it young, give it 30 minutes in a decanter to open up fully — you'll be rewarded with even more aromatic complexity.
Serve it slightly below room temperature, around 16-17°C. Too warm and the alcohol dominates; too cool and you miss the gorgeous fruit expression.
Like any quality wine, The Chocolate Block varies slightly from year to year depending on growing conditions. Some vintages lean more toward power and concentration, others toward elegance and finesse. What remains constant is the house style — that distinctive combination of South African warmth and carefully managed structure.
Recent vintages have shown particular elegance, with winemaker Marc Kent fine-tuning the blend to emphasise balance over pure power. This evolution has only made the wine more food-friendly and age-worthy.
Boekenhoutskloof itself deserves mention. Founded in 1776 in Franschhoek ("French Corner"), the estate has been making wine for over two centuries. But its modern reputation was built by Marc Kent, who joined in the 1990s and transformed it into one of South Africa's most respected producers.
Kent's philosophy centres on expressing terroir through carefully chosen vineyard sites and minimal intervention winemaking. The Chocolate Block, launched in the late 1990s, became his calling card — a wine that showed the world what South African blends could achieve.
The Chocolate Block has done more than win awards and critical acclaim — it's changed perceptions. For years, South African wine was seen as either bulk commodity or overly rustic. Wines like The Chocolate Block proved that South Africa could produce sophisticated, complex wines that compete on the global stage.
It's part of a generation of South African wines that are confident in their own identity rather than trying to copy European models. That confidence translates to distinctive, characterful wines that stand out in a crowded marketplace.
The Chocolate Block has gained enough of a following that it occasionally sells out, particularly good vintages. When you find it, it's worth buying a few bottles — one to drink now, one to age, and one to share with someone who hasn't discovered South African wine yet.
For UK wine lovers ready to explore what South Africa can offer, The Chocolate Block is an ideal starting point. It's distinctive enough to show you something new, accessible enough to enjoy immediately, and complex enough to keep you coming back. Sometimes a wine lives up to its cult status — this is one of those times.
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