Carmen Stevens Chenin Blanc 2024

Carmen Stevens Chenin Blanc 2024

Winemaking

The Chenin Blanc fruit is hand-sorted and whole-bunch pressing follows to ensure a more elegant mouth feel in the wine. After pressing 20 % of the cloudy juice is left to undergo natural fermentation that adds texture to the final blend. The balance of juice is cleaned and split between stainless steel and concrete tanks. A pure yeast culture is employed to ensure the purity of fruit in both vessels. Lees stirring is done on all batches to help build palate depth.

Tasting Notes

The wine opens with fresh aromas of cut winter melon flowing into ripe pear, accented by a hint of lime zest and sweet grapefruit. The palate is smooth and elegant, highlighted by concentrated grapefruit flavors that add depth and length. A distinctive gunflint minerality, reflecting the concrete vessel maturation, adds texture and complexity to the finish, which is both smooth and persistent. This Chenin Blanc balances vibrant fruit freshness with a mineral backbone, epitomizing refined craftsmanship.

Analysis

Alcohol: 13.5 %
Residual Sugar: 2.2 g/l
Total Acidity: 5.9 g/l
pH: 3.36
Wine of Origin: Paarl

Vineyard Notes

The Chenin Blanc fruit is grown in the Paarl wine region. The fruit is selected from two vineyard blocks 2 cultivated on Table Mountain sandstone and decomposed granite soils. All vines are trellised and cultivated under dryland conditions. Our fruit is handpicked in 20kg picking crates to ensure the fruit reaches the cellar intact and in perfect condition.