Craven new releases

Mick and Jeanine Craven of Stellenbosch use the notion of “attentive intervention” to describe their approach to winemaking rather than the more hackneyed “minimal intervention” and it’s a distinction worth pondering – their wines tend to have an honesty and authenticity about them, as the new releases from the 2023 vintage bear out, once again.

Craven Pinot Gris 2023
Price: R245
Harvest involved two picks, the earlier to help maintain freshness in a low-acid year and the second, some seven days later, to add more texture and depth. Seven days of skin contact before maturation in concrete tanks.

Pale red with an orange tinge in colour. Compelling and rather exotic aromatics of rose, potpourri, cranberry, orange, herbs, spice and a touch of earth. Good fruit expression and moderate acidity, the tannins possessing a chalky quality. Textured and flavourful with good length. Alc: 12.01%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Craven Cinsault 2023
Price: R245
Destemmed to capture as much acidity as possible. Fermented and matured for six months in concrete tanks. The nose entices with subtle notes of cherry, plum, fynbos, tea leaf and violets. The palate is light-bodied with zippy acidity and powdery tannins. Elegant and understated with a nice energy about it. Alc: 11.95%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

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