Craven new releases

Mick Craven of Craven Wines describes the 2025 vintage as “bloody easy”, with no particular rush to pick – which raises the question of whether the least challenging vintages necessarily yield the best wines. Jeanine Craven notes that the wines which resulted this time around typically have “low pHs, wonderful acidities, exceptional balance”. For now, it’s not immediately clear that the 2025s surpass previous releases – apart from the stupendously good Syrah – but overall they continue to display the purity and charm for which this couple’s wines are known.

Chardonnay 2025
Price: R295

From Polkadraai Hills. Fermented and matured for eight months in concrete tanks. Pretty aromatics of pear and citrus. The palate is elegant and vivacious – pure fruit, bright acidity, the finish gently savoury. Good clarity of fruit and flavour intensity without an sense of excess. Alc: 11.88%.

CE’s score: 92/100.

Karibib Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2025
Price: R295

From Polkadraai Hills planted in 1981. Fermented and matured for nine months in concrete tanks. Subtle aromatics of quince, peach and yellow apple with a faint earthy note. The palate shows good weight and texture without undue force, the acidity well integrated, the finish possessing a pleasing piquancy. Alc: 12.64%.

CE’s score: 92/100.

Pinot Gris 2025
Price: R265

From Polkadraai Hills. Fermented on skins for six days, matured for six months in concrete tanks. Strawberry, red apple, a hint of pomegranate, potpourri and spice on the nose. Concentrated fruit, lively acidity and a slightly pithy, saline finish. Vivid and full of flavour. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Cinsaut 2025
Price: R265

From Firgrove. Fermented and matured for six months in concrete tanks. The nose is still precociously primary at this stage with notes of floral perfume and cherry. The palate is well balanced, juicy and rounded with bright acidity and powdery tannins. Plenty of open, easy charm. Alc: 12.01%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Grenache 2025
Price: R325

Second vintage from a Vlottenburg vineyard planted in 2016. Fermented and matured for eight months in concrete tanks. Flowers, herbs, red and black berries and a touch of white pepper on the nose. Good fruit concentration, punchy acidity and nicely grippy tannins – poised and detailed, tightly wound, long on the finish. A marked step up on the maiden 2024. Alc: 12.25%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

The Firs Vineyard Syrah 2025
Price: R325

From Devon Valley. 100% whole-bunch fermented in stainless steel before 10 months of maturation in concrete tanks. Gorgeous aromatics of violets, lavender, a hint of fynbos, black berries and pepper. Dense fruit, fresh acidity and powdery, tightly packed tannins. Succulent, vital, emphatically dry on the finish. Everything comes together beautifully in this vintage. Alc: 13.34%.

CE’s rating: 97/100.

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