Details
CRAVEN WINES - CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021
TASTING NOTES
Fresh and earthy, this Cabernet Sav is lighter than what you would typically expect from this area it comes through with cassis, black cherry plum, graphite, dried flowers, and that characteristic granitic grip. It's has good acidity, with light tannins and a lingering sappy, saline finish. 100% whole Bunch.
Producing a Cabernet Sauvignon was never part of the plan for Mick and Jeanine, but when a small parcel of grapes became available on the Karibib farm, with a relatively low sugar level, they could not resist. Made with 100% whole bunch, pressed off a little early so as not to leave too much tannin. Elevage was in 225L barrels for 10 months. At only 12.25% alcohol this is a pretty remarkable wine.
VINTAGE 2021
ORIGIN Stellenbosch, South Africa
MAKER Craven Wines
GRAPES Cabernet Sauvignon
ABOUT
“Craven is one of the most interesting wine projects in South Africa. It’s part of the rediscovery of the best vineyard sites in Stellenbosch that’s currently underway, with a group of young guns looking to find the gems and make interesting wines from them - called the ‘Zoo Biscuits Collective’.”
Dr Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak
Mick and Jeanine Craven met in 2007 while working as cellar hands in Sonoma. The Aussie (Mick) and South African (Jeanine) hit if off, and after their enological studies took to the road to work, taste and learn about what they shared a passion for: site-specific, honest wines. They returned to Jeanine's family base in Stellenbosch in 2011 and planted roots as Craven Wines.
Their low interventionist winemaking is as much hands off, as it is tuned in. They know their vineyards intricately, and craft only single-vineyard wines, picked early to respectfully reflect site and vintage. They use no cultured yeasts, enzymes or fining agents, allowing the wines to stabilise naturally, and utilise only older oak and larger format barrels whenever possible.
