Craven, Pinot Gris, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2022 (Skin Contact)

Overview of the Wine
Our story begins back in 2007 while we were both 'dragging hose' in Sonoma, California, for the harvest season. A chance meeting at the Flamingo Hotel, between an Aussie and a South African, has eventually turned into Craven Wines.

Grape / Blend
Pinot Gris

Origin
Stellenbosch, South Africa

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
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 wine received a light sheet filtration, but no fining, and it was bottled with just 45 ppm sulfur.

91 Points - Vinous
The 2022 Pinot Gris is fermented in concrete on the skins for six days and aged in concrete for six months. It has that distinctive pale rogue hue (no wonder Mick Craven finds it difficult to get certified by authorities.) With touches of wild strawberry and Morello on the nose, this is nicely defined and, oddly, quite Grenache-like. The palate is well-balanced and not unlike a Pinot Noir (really), with crisp tannins and vivid tart red fruit on the finish. It's Pinot Gris doing an impression of Pinot Noir and executing it... deliciously.

Product size: 750ml