Carmen Stevens Carménère 2019

Carmen Stevens Carménère 2017 |Chilean variety|

Winemaking

The Carmenere fruit were berry sorted to ensure all the fruit are in perfect condition before the fermentation is initiated. As we had limited fruit, therefore limited blending options, spontaneous fermentation was decided to add to the palate feel of the final wine. The fruit were fermented in 2 opened barrels of which 1 barrel was new. The fermented juice was drawn of twice a day and then slowly percolated over the skins to minimise the extraction of greener herby flavours. This action also adds oxygen to stabilize colour and help soften the tannin structure. After fermentation the wine was matured in 50% new French oak and 50% older oak.

Tasting Notes

Dark dense colouring. Full, ripe nose of ripe red figs fused with a chalky element .Soft palate entrance with fresh lime that cut through a dense mid-palate. Dark chocolate flows to fleshy palate weight. The wine lingers with ripe plums and red figs. A beautiful balance of ripe smooth tannins, ripe berry fruit with well integrated oak that lingers with a lime fresh aspect.

Analysis

Alcohol: 14.5 %
Residual Sugar: 2.1g/l
Total Acidity: 5.4 g/l
pH: 3.6
Wine of Origin: Wellington

Special Note

Carmenere was the sixth variety allowed under appellation rules of BDX. It was widely- planted in the Medoc in the 19th century, and regarded as a mainstay of claret. In South Africa only 3 red wines are produced and bottled as Carmenere. The vineyard block allocated to CSW only consist of 8 rows. We produced 2 barrels and that translated to 560 bottles. Big and powerful and will only be made every 2nd year.