Craven new releases

With summer beckoning, reds which are light in body and lend themselves to be serve chilled become the order of the day and to that end, Mick and Janine Craven have released the 2021 vintage of both their Pinot Gris, made like a red and their Cinsaut, made to capture the fresher, brighter side of the variety.

Craven Pinot Gris 2021
Price: R225
Fermented on the skins for six days before maturation lasting six months in a combination of old 500-litre barrels and concrete. As always, this is just immensely likeable. Subtle notes of strawberry, herbs and spice on the nose while the palate is almost but not quite evanescent (alcohol is 11.75%) with very fine tannins.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Craven Cinsaut 2021
Price: R230

From a Faure vineyard planted on granite. Destemmed to capture as much acidity as possible. Pretty aromatics including floral perfume, cherry, plum, fynbos and spice while the palate shows pure fruit, bright acidity and fine tannins. Entirely charming.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

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