Founded in 1776, Boekenhoutskloof has become an estate synonymous with quality in South Africa following its rejuvenation in 1993.  The first modern Boekenhoutskloof was a 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon and the estate today is likely best known for their ubiquitous brand The Chocolate Block at one end of the scale and Porseleinberg Syrah, a world class wine and South Africa’s finest expression of the variety, at the other. The estate now produces Syrah, Cabernet, Grenache, Viognier and Sémillon and, under the direction of Marc Kent, is a benchmark for quality South African winemaking.

We make no secret just how highly we rate Porseleinberg Syrah and winemaker Gottfried Mocke has produced an impressive set of 2023s that look to echo the quality of this 100 point wine. They produce four wines including two Cabernet Sauvignons, but our highlights of the range are the Syrah and old vine Semillon. All wines offer tremendous value at just £171 per six bottles in bond.

The Semillon hails from three vineyards planted between 1902 and 1942. It is consistently one of South Africa’s greatest white wines made in minuscule quantities with a dedicated following. Master of Wine Tim Atkin awards the 2023 96 points, praising its “beguiling aromas of vanilla spice, cardamom and saffron, layers of tangerine, beeswax and fresh lemons and understated concentration.”
 
The Syrah is produced from exclusively Swartland fruit, with 90% of the blend sourced from the mighty Porseleinberg vineyard. It too has 96 points from Atkin and a 92 point score from Neal Martin who calls it “very fine”, writing of its “perfumed nose with blueberry and black cherry scents, touches of pressed violet and peony emerging with time.”