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Craven

2022

Cabernet Sauvignon

Stellenbosch - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

The King! Cab is a variety Mick and Jeanine never entertained making until a lovely little site on the Karibib Vineyard was brought to their attention. The vineyard sits at 1,000 feet in elevation in the western part of Stellenbosch. The southeasterly wind coming off of False Bay becomes a bit of an air conditioner helping to retain lovely acidity and prolong the growing season. The result is what Mick calls “old school Cab… Fresh, bright, yet inherently Cabernet Sauvignon.”

The wine was fermented using 65% whole cluster, which is considered going against what is considered ‘standard operating procedure’ for this grape. Mick and Jeanine love the tannin structure and aromatics this can give to a wine and thought why not try it on Cab? The grapes were pressed a little earlier than complete dryness to make sure the tannins didn’t get too aggressive and the ferment finished in tank. The wine was then matured in neutral 300L barrels for one year before bottling. The wine is bottled unfined with just a light sheet filtration and nothing added during the winemaking process apart from a dash of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Vineyard: Karibib Vineyard
  • Vine Age: 22-years-old
  • Soil Type: Decomposed granite and clay
  • Viticulture: Practicing organic - sustainable
  • Fermentation: Native – open-top stainless-steel (65% whole-cluster, 35% destemmed)
  • Skin Contact: 7 days
  • Aging: 12 months in neutral 300L tonneau
  • Alcohol: 12.5%
  • pH: 3.65
  • Total Acidity: 5.4 g/L
  • Total SO2: 50 ppm
  • Total Production: 292 cases
  • UPC: 6009803564638

Tasting Note

This is a fresh, herbal, partial whole-cluster Cab with a mixed berry and rose bouquet. Fine tannins commingle with bright acidity on the palate, which is carefully balanced between power and elegance thanks to the lower alcohol percentage. In short: another vintage of Polkadraai Cab perfected by the Cravens.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

93

"Grapes from Karibib. Two-thirds whole-bunch pressed. Attractive aromatics of rose, red and black berries as well as fresh herbs while the palate is medium-bodied with good fruit definition, fresh acidity and fine tannins. Pure and harmonious, this has a compelling urgency about it. Alcohol: 12.8%."

- Christian Eedes

Tim Atkin, MW

93

"Flirting with greenness, it's a pithy, minty, very lightly wooded Cabernet with notes of cranberry and blackcurrant leaf and a mineral core. This is the first release of a Polkadraai Hills Cabernet from Mick and Jeanine Craven, picked early to preserve the freshness and low alcohol that are features of all their wines."

- Tim Atkin, MW
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Producer


Craven

Region


Stellenbosch

Country


South Africa

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