Launched in 2021, The Carmen Stevens Nemrac label has a Cabernet Sauvignon foundation, blended with three other varietals. This 2020 vintage is made from a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Petit Sirah, 16% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot. The blend represents 80% fruit grown in Paarl and 20% in Stellenbosch. In both regions, the fruit is grown in Tukulu decomposed granite soils. The average age of the four different varietals comes to 18 years. All fruit is grown under dryland conditions which are alleviated with the soil build-up techniques employed to retain the moisture content of the soils. Grapes are handpicked and berry sorted to ensure they're in perfect condition before the fermentation is initiated. All batches are individually fermented to ensure the purest expression of each varietal. Varietal expression and flavours are amplified with specific winemaking extraction techniques in the cellar. The individual varietals are matured in French oak barrels for 12 months, blended, and matured for an additional 3 months. The final blend consists of 15% new French oak with the balance matured in 2nd and 3rd-fill barrels. Bottled at 14%. (Bottle size 750ml)

Nose: A fusion of blackcurrant, blueberry and dark chocolate that flows towards cigar box notes, blissfully lighting up the senses. Followed by a subtle sweetness that is indicative of phenolic ripeness in fruit.

Palate: The palate entrance is smooth, ripe, and expressive of the Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant varietal. Cassis and sweet blackberry fruit fill the mid-palate while the ripe tannin structure adds an elegance to the palate weight of this wine.

Finish: This wine lingers with ripe sweet fruits and just enough limey notes to entice a moreish expectation on the palate.

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