The Chocolate Block

Last night some friends, my wife, and I all decided to venture north a couple blocks and enjoy the 2007 art fair at the Country Club Plaza. Before we left we met at my house and partook in some hors d'oeuvres and wine. We started the night with a bottle brought back from Sonoma, Artessa's Element (blend of Cabernet sauvignon (51 %), merlot (29 %), syrah (15 %), others (5 %)) it was delicious. We intended on just drinking one bottle; however, the wine (as it usually does) just made us want more wine. So, to get to the original point of this entry, the second bottle we opened was a bottle simply called The Chocolate Block. This wine was very unique. I can't say that I have ever had any wine quite like this one. It seemingly is a combination of every wine under the sun, blended delightfully to create flavors of liquorice, mint, and kitchy enough...chocolate. The nose was big and bold soaked in sulfur. As far as texture, this 2003 is prime and ready to dink right now. I am very glad we decided to open that second bottle. I had two of these Chocolate Blocks just sitting in the wine fridge waiting for that random day when I decide to dip into the library wine. If we had not opened this bottle last night I would not have known that I probably shouldn't put off drinking the second one for much longer than another year. So, to wrap this up. I bought this wine 2 years ago and Tchopitoulas ( a since closed, fabulous little wine/coffee shop in the crossroads of KC) I was waiting to dink it with the misconception that it was one of those wines that can sit in a cellar for 15 years before it peaks, when in fact it is perfection right now. If you are lucky enough to have this bottle in your collection or happen to come across this bottle in a store...buy it and drink it now. You will enjoy this smooth, sensual wine with an almost complete absence of tannins (hints the wines lack of ability to age much further). If I were to do it all over again, I would drink it with some bitter sweet chocolate or some other food that offers a hint of sweetness.