Craven ‘The Firs’ Syrah 2023

Neal Martin of Vinous:
“The husband and wife team represent the artisanal, natural side of the Cape wine scene … these are minimal intervention, subtle wines that are as much about texture as aromas and flavours. What I like is that they flirt with edginess and “funk” but rarely cross that line so that Craven’s wines avoid falling into the trap of tasting like a philosophy.”
“They just taste…good.”

Working exclusively with single vineyard, single varietal wines in various Wards of Stellenbosch WO, Craven Wines is somewhat of a unique project.

UNIQUE & FOCUSED
Mick and Jeanine are now very settled in to their new cellar space off Baden Powell Drive in Stellenbosch. Craven Wines is now more than 10 vintages old, and there were some significant changes in the first few years. Since the move to their own cellar, there has been a consistency and stability in the entire operation which in turn has allowed the wines to become purer, more focused and detailed.

CONCRETE
The move to concrete is continuing at Craven, with The Firs Syrah being aged in concrete tanks for the first time in vintage 2023. This joins the Karibib Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Cinsaut all being aged in concrete. The desire to fully express the vineyards of Stellenbosch is the motive behind the decision to increase concrete usage. According to the Cravens it provides more detailed structure and fruit to the wines, while still allowing some oxygen in to create texture.

Unfortunately, due to the late heavy rains in vintage no Cabernet Sauvignon was bottled by the Cravens from the 2023 harvest.