Clear deep garnet. Complex nose of cherry, blackberries, tea, smoke and black pepper. The flavours are simple: just sweet dark berries, but it has ample structure from tannins and acidity to keep it interesting. A refreshing change from the classic Chianti accompaniment to pasta with spicy tomato sauce. Drink now.
The nose shows varietal Chardonnay lemon citrus with delicate floral scents and a subtle touch of toasty oak. Ripe citrus and secondary green apple flavours are supported by well-balanced, crisp acidity and a pleasantly rounded, buttery note on the finish. Shows Okanagan regional style. Better value than many generic California Chardonnays in a similar price range.
This is a Cabernet/Merlot blend that offers up rich and ripe red fruits, currants, aromatic wood spice, vanilla and earth on the nose. It is dense and layered with highly extracted dark berries, liquorice, clove/cinnamon spice and meaty fruits all built on a firm foundation. This is one fabulous red with decades of aging potential. Serve with barbecued ribs or roasted meats.
One of my favourite LBVs. Great depth of colour; a nose of mulberries, dried figs and milk chocolate with vanilla oak notes — flavours that enrich the palate.
Boekenhoutskloof was established 1776 and today, in the hands of talented maverick winemaker Marc Kent, they are still kicking off great things, like the behemoth that is Chocolate Block, known in markets the world over (thanks to its 500,000 bottles per year). The 2015 Chocolate Block is a blend of Syrah, Grenache Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Viognier and for the first time, this is all Swartland fruit. The 2015 also had a greater splash of Grenache than previous years, which is noticeable up-front on the massive florality here (the Grenache was matured in 600 L barrels to retain its fruity aromas and vibrancy). Mulberry, brooding black plum and kirsch on the full palate, one smooth and housed by fine, firm tannins. This is a polished wine, but not overtly so, with a textural fruitcake spicing throughout to a dark mocha finish. The wine matures in 1st (all the Cabernet Sauvignon), 2nd and 3rd fill French oak barrels (eight 2500 L French oak foudres) for 16 months before it undergoes a light egg-white fining and filtration.
From Wolf Blass comes this easy-drinking blend of Grenache and Syrah. Cherry, plum, rhubarb, pepper, herbs and hints of cocoa/vanilla mesh together with a medium-plus body and 14% alcohol. Very good length and ready to drink. Try with barbecued ribs or grilled sausage.
Organic. Pale pink and slightly fizzy. Smells like strawberry liquorice with melon and a bit of banana. On the palate, it features more strawberry as well as cantaloupe and watermelon, and a bright acidity. Light and refreshing, to be drunk immediately.