2017 Craven, Karibib Vineyard Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Critics reviews
Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate (spring 2017)
About this WINE
Craven
The 2014 vintage was the first commercial release from dynamic husband-and-wife winemaking team Mick and Jeanine Craven. Mick (an Aussie) and Jeanine (a Stellenbosch native) met during vintage in California in 2007 and have travelled the winemaking world since, finally settling in Jeanine’s native Stellenbosch.
“We chose South Africa, as we think there is a lot of potential here to make amazing wines. We live in Stellenbosch and our hearts are here in this town, which is why we only make wines from the Stellenbosch region, as we want to be within a heartbeat of the vines. We want to make wines which are interesting, both stylistically and by varietal, but also wines which have a sense of place and express where they come from. We have isolated particular vineyard sites, for their unique soils and micro-climates, where we work with the growers to ensure that we get the best results from the particular sites. All our wines will come from single vineyards around Stellenbosch. Winemaking is very hands off with minimal additions (if any), native ferments and neutral oak.”
Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is South Africa’s best-known wine region, producing a wide variety of wines from leading estates, even though it accounts for less than 20 per cent of the country’s total production. Designated wards within the wine region are Jonkershoek Valley, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Bottelary, Devon Valley and Papegaaiberg.
At 17,500 hectares, Stellenbosch remains the Cape's most famous and important fine wine district, thanks to its proximity to Cape Town, to the cooling influences of False Bay, its mountainous (ie Helderberg, Simonsberg), granitic topography and its centres of learning such as Elsenburg Agricultural College.
It's notable for the refinement of its Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, especially from the likes of Glenelly Estate, Keermont Vineyards Oldenburg Vineyards, Raats Family and Anwilka
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is an important white grape variety planted in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions of the Loire Valley and the most widely planted varietal grape in South Africa.
In the Loire it produces high quality dry wines in Savenniéres, and luscious sweet, dessert wines in Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume. In Vouvray and Montlouis it can be dry, medium dry, or sweet, and still or sparkling. Whether dry or sweet, the best Loire Chenin Blancs possess marvellously concentrated rich, honeyed fruit together with refreshingly vibrant acidity. It is Chenin Blanc's high acidity that enable the wines to age so well.
In South Africa Chenin Blanc is easier to grow and is prized for its versatility. It is used as a cheap blending option with Chardonnay, Colombard, and Muscat but also bottled unblended. The best producers keep their yields low and produce impressive mouthfilling wines.
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Description
The 2016 Karibib Chenin Blanc is a new label for Craven from a vineyard close to Reyneke (the fruit distributed to some fine producers). It sees ten months in used barrels. It has a light, resinous bouquet that is very nuanced, dried herbs, broom, fennel and jasmine notes developing in the glass, although I would like a little more conviction. The palate is balanced with the salinity immediately apparent on the entry, gentle and natural in style, but perhaps like the nose I would like to see greater energy and animation on the finish. A bit like a pupil handing in his or her homework too early, this is an enjoyable Chenin Blanc, but it could be better.
Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate (spring 2017)
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