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Craven

2023

Pinot Gris

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

About

Pinot Gris isn’t exactly an abundant grape planted in Stellenbosch, but it is something Mick and Jeanine have a lot of fun working with. Although a lot of the wine drinking world think and assume it is a ‘white grape’ it is in fact a lovely coppery/dark rose skinned one. They identified this incredible site, called the Newlands Vineyard, farmed by Deon Joubert, on an easterly slope of the Polkadraai Hills facing back toward Stellenbosch. Though the block was only planted in 2007, the wine shows tremendous balance and intensity. Mick calls this skinsy style “the way Pinot Gris should be!” Every vintage gives Mick & Jeanine a run for their money, as this notorious wine is always rejected by the South African Wine & Spirit Board for not complying with the typicity of Stellenbosch. After lots of tedious back-and-forth, the appeals committee always comes around. At this point, it’s a dance the Cravens know by heart.

The grapes were hand harvested and brought back to the Stellenbosch winery. The 2023 marks the second vintage using concrete ‘squares’ for fermentation and aging. The grapes were destemmed, and the juice was left to soak on the skins for seven days. It was then racked and the skins were pressed back to concrete where it aged for eight months. The wine received a light sheet filtration, but no fining, and it was bottled with just 45 ppm sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Pinot Gris
  • Vineyard: Newlands Vineyard (Polkadraai Hills)
  • Vine Age: 16-years-old
  • Soil Type: Gravel, Sand and ‘Koffieklip’ (Ferricrete or ‘Coffee Stone’)
  • Viticulture: Practicing Organic
  • Fermentation: Native – concrete tank on skins for 6 days (100% de-stemmed)
  • Skin Contact: 7 days
  • Aging: 8 months in 50hL concrete 'squares'
  • Alcohol: 12%
  • pH: 3.65
  • Total Acidity: 5.1 g/L
  • Total SO2: 45 ppm
  • Total Production: 1,250 cases
  • UPC: 6009803564485

Tasting Note

Rich strawberry and cherry flavors mingle with herbal accents and subtle mineral undertones, enhanced by a touch of grip. Concrete aging lends purity to the fruit expression, resulting in a wine with a satisfyingly smooth texture and savory depth.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

92

"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%."

- Christian Eedes
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Producer


Craven

Region


Stellenbosch

Country


South Africa

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