Carbon-free cellar fixed up, housed in intimate bordering (8)

No, not it.

Carbon-free cellar fixed up, housed in intimate bordering (8)

_ _ _ a _ _ _ _

More clues…

Carbon-free cellar fixed up, housed in intimate bordering (8)

_ _ _ a _ _ e _

“Fixed up” is an indicator.

No, I’m sorry that’s not it.

Carbon-free cellar fixed up, housed in intimate bordering (8)

_ _ _ a L _ e _

Yes.

Carbon-free cellar fixed up, housed in intimate bordering (8)

Carbon-free -> remove the C

    cellar -> ellar

fixed up [reversal indicator] -> ralle

    housed in [containment indicator]
intimate [charade: pal]
        paRALLEl

WHOLE DEFINITION

bordering = parallel

You’re up, nfs.