People have been asking me about The Chocolate Block for ages. I don’t know why it took me so long to buy a bottle because I’ve walked past it more times than I can count. It’s one of those wines that always catches your eye on the shelf. Big reputation. Nice label. Heavy bottle. Premium price.
Until now though, I’d never actually tasted it. So I thought I’d finally put that right. The question is simple. Is The Chocolate Block genuinely worth buying, or is it another wine that’s become popular because everyone keeps talking about it?
Let’s find out.
What Is The Chocolate Block?
The Chocolate Block comes from Boekenhoutskloof in the Western Cape of South Africa. It’s been around since the early 2000s and has built a huge following, especially here in the UK. You’ll often see it stocked in Tesco, Majestic Wine and independent wine merchants, and it’s become one of those bottles people recommend when someone asks for “a really good supermarket red.”
One thing people often assume is that it somehow tastes of chocolate. It doesn’t.
The winery has never fully explained where the name comes from either. They hint that there’s a story behind it but keep the details fairly secret.
Personally, I quite like that. It makes people curious.
First Impressions
Before you even pull the cork, one thing stands out. This bottle is heavy.
Now, the weight of a bottle doesn’t automatically make the wine better, but it does create an expectation. You pick it up and immediately think you’re about to drink something serious.
Once it’s in the glass, that feeling carries on. The colour is deep. Really deep.
Straight away you’re expecting a powerful red rather than something light and easy going.
Is A Blend A Bad Thing?
This is something people ask surprisingly often. “This wine’s a blend. Is that a bad sign?” Not at all. Some of the greatest wines in the world are blends.
Many famous Bordeaux wines combine Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and some sell for hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Blending grapes gives the winemaker the chance to balance different characteristics. One grape might bring body, another freshness, another spice, and another aroma. The Chocolate Block follows exactly that idea.
The 2023 vintage is made from approximately:
- 74% Syrah
- 11% Grenache
- 8% Cabernet Sauvignon
- 6% Cinsault
- 1% Viognier
The interesting one there is Viognier because it’s actually a white grape.
It’s only included in a tiny amount to lift the aromas, although I have to admit I couldn’t really pick that out myself. Every vintage changes slightly as the winemaker adjusts the proportions depending on how each grape performed that year.
That means your bottle might not taste exactly the same as mine if you’re drinking a different vintage.
What Does The Chocolate Block Taste Like?
This is where it starts getting interesting. Whenever I’m teaching people how to taste wine, I tell them not to overcomplicate it. Forget trying to sound like a wine expert. Start by asking yourself one simple question. Does it remind you more of red fruit or black fruit?
With The Chocolate Block, it’s definitely black fruit. Blackberries. Blackcurrants. Blueberries. Then the Syrah starts to make itself known.
One of the classic characteristics of Syrah is black pepper, and you get plenty of that here. There’s also a slight minty freshness that surprised me and added another layer to the wine. Everything feels well put together. Nothing dominates. Instead, you get layers that develop as you spend more time with the glass.
Is It Easy To Drink?
Yes. And no. Let me explain. This isn’t a light red that you open while watching television. It’s quite a full-bodied wine with plenty of flavour and structure. It’s rich. It’s intense. It lingers nicely after each sip.
That’s exactly what many people look for in a premium red wine, but it also means it deserves your attention. Give yourself time with it.
What Food Goes With The Chocolate Block?
This is definitely a food wine. If I was planning dinner around this bottle, steak would probably be my first choice. A properly cooked ribeye would be fantastic. Minted lamb would also work brilliantly because the peppery Syrah and the slight mint character naturally complement each other. A charcuterie board would be another easy win. Think mature cheeses, cured meats and good bread. Those richer flavours stand up well to a wine with this much body.
Is It Worth £27?
This is probably the biggest question. For me, yes. But there’s a small caveat. At around £27, this isn’t what I’d call an everyday bottle. Personally, I wouldn’t open it on a random Tuesday evening. This is your Friday night. Saturday night. Special dinner. Friends coming round. Treat yourself bottle. If that’s what you’re buying it for, I think you’ll be very happy. If you’re simply looking for something to pour while watching television after work, there are plenty of wines at half the price that would do that job perfectly well.
Is It Better Because It’s From A Supermarket?
One thing I’d say is don’t dismiss it because you can buy it in Tesco. People sometimes assume supermarket wines can’t be genuinely good. That’s simply not true.
There are some excellent wines sitting on supermarket shelves, and The Chocolate Block is definitely one of them. In fact, if someone served this blind in an independent wine merchant, I don’t think anyone would question whether it belonged there. It’s a properly made wine.
Who Will Enjoy The Chocolate Block?
I’d recommend it if you enjoy: Rich, full-bodied red wines. Steak dinners. Barbecues. Dinner parties. Exploring wines with more complexity. Treating yourself to something a little special.
If you usually drink lighter reds like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais, you may find this quite a jump. That’s not a criticism. It’s simply a much bigger style of wine.
My Final Verdict
People often ask me to recommend a really good supermarket wine. I think this has earned its place on that list.
The Chocolate Block looks premium, smells fantastic and delivers exactly what you’d hope once you taste it. It’s rich without becoming overwhelming, complex without becoming confusing, and interesting enough that you’ll probably find something new every time you come back to it. Is it cheap? No. Is it worth the money? Absolutely.
If you’ve been walking past it for years like I was, I’d finally pick up a bottle. Open it with good food, take your time over it, and see if you can spot those dark fruits, the black pepper and that little hint of mint. I’d love to know whether you agree with me. Have you tried The Chocolate Block? Do you think it’s worth the hype, or do you have another supermarket red that you think is even better? Let me know.
Watch the Full Chocolate Block Review
Prefer to watch rather than read? Here’s the full review where I taste The Chocolate Block and share my honest thoughts. If you’ve already tried it, let me know whether you agree with my verdict. Cheers!
