South Africa’s liqueur firm KWV unveils new limited edition of Carménère wine

SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa’s Wines, spirit and liqueur producer, KWV, has unveiled a new and limited edition of The Mentors Carménère 2017.

“A first of its kind, The Mentors Carménère 2017 is a truly fitting addition to the range and is a worthy reflection of The Mentors’ legacy of excellence. We are very proud to be able to add it to our most treasured showcase,” says winemaker Izele van Blerk.

The brand was developed over a three year period from the Carménère – which is known to be a tough grape to farm and thrives when approached with skill and insight.

“There is only 8.56 hectares of Carménère in South Africa. We have one block of 1.15ha in Stellenbosch which produces three tonnes per hectare. The Viognier vines were re-grafted to Carménère in 2016,” notes van Blerk. 

van Blerk, who is also in charge of KWV’s premium wines, unveiled that the limited edition was of fewer than 1,000 litres, sequentially numbered bottles of The Mentors Carménère 2017 as is expected to retail for about US$45.13.

According to The Wine Fox, the Bordeaux cultivar was believed to be virtually extinct after phylloxera led to its decimation until it was discovered about two decades ago that nearly half of the Merlot planted in Chile was in fact Carménère.

Designed to reflect the legacy and status of the contents, the new limited release Carménère 2017 wears the same new and revitalised look of The Mentors range – also making its debut in July 2019.

In terms of aging capability, the winemaking team says while it can certainly been enjoyed immediately, the wine will reward patience if matured in optimal conditions for a further five to eight years.

The company says: “Strict selection ensures that only the finest makes it to The Mentors cellar, a cellar-within-cellar, designed for making excellent wines, experimentation and innovation.”

The wine joins KWV’s series of rare and limited-edition releases of The Mentors wines, which includes its flagship wine, Perold, a Cape blend with 38% Pinotage.

KWV is one of South Africa’s largest wine producers, whose portfolio include Perold Tributum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rooderberg, Bon Esperance, Café Culture Coffee, The Mentors Elim, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Bon Esperance.