Dear *|FNAME|*,

There’s a captivating confidence in Craig Wessels’ approach to winemaking. He’s happy to go against the grain, yet he embraces listening – learning as much as possible from others far and wide, leading to a set of releases marked by honest craftsmanship.

The Ava Marie Chardonnay 2021 is rightly called a benchmark by Christian Eedes. It’s as fine as ever, showing definition, linearity, and length. Our recent visit started with the Ava Marie 2013 and it was simply brilliant, proving beyond doubt the potential of this wine, and great vintages like 2021. This is a Chardonnay to cellar!

Hangtime is of particular importance in the creation of SA’s most unique Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2020 vintage of Restless River Main Road & Dignity is no exception. The long ripening period has led to an abundance of ripe cassis and layers of dark cherry, with a maritime, oyster shell-like undertow. This is a fantastic and complex expression of the variety, with gentle tannins and bright acidity.

A relative newcomer to the range is the Le Luc Pinot Noir. Each vintage has shown a staggering improvement in quality, and the 2021 has such detail and complexity (in terms of both the fruit and structure) that’s it’s ‘more burgundian than most South African Pinots!’ notes JancisRobinson.com. If you love proper Pinot Noir, this is one to jump on.

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Tasting notes

Restless River Ava Marie Chardonnay 2021

‘…their Chardonnay in particular an industry benchmark. Matured for 12 months, 90% in 500-litre barrels of which 10% were new, and 10% in amphorae. A later vintage and the nose is a little more exotic than usual with notes of lemon and orange to go with blossom plus hints of oatmeal and flinty reduction. The palate is not without depth although alcohol is just 12.7% – pure fruit and zesty acidity, the finish possessing a subtle pithy quality. Great definition and poise.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100

‘I fell in love with Chardonnay through Chablis," says Craig Wessels and you can see that influence here. Reflecting the coolness of the 2021 vintage, this is taut, focused, stony and engagingly mouth-watering, with effortless concentration, notes of brine, lanolin and lemon juice and extra layers of complexity from old barrels and amphoras.’ – Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2023, 96/100

‘Light and pure on the nose. Lots of acidity at the moment – that’s the dominant note. Also quite chewy. It’s not yet ready! But there’s a lot buried underneath.’ – JancisRobinson.com, 16.5+/20

Restless River Main Rd and Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

‘Matured for some 22 months in 225-litre barrels, 20% new. Cassis, incense, violets, tea leaf and oystershell on the nose – very little herbal character, good or bad… Medium bodied and yet not short of fruit weight and structure while the tannins are fine, the finish properly dry.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100

‘Named after the two blocks that supply its raw material, Main Road & Dignity is a very rare example of a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hemel-en-Aarde region. Picked late in a cool site, it has cassis, bay leaf, fresh herb and damson flavours, grippy tannins, appealing zip and freshness and the concentration to age.’ – Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2023, 94/100

‘Deep, lustrous crimson. Quite a strong pyrazine character. Not as convincing as the Pinot 2021 from this producer but a serious, well-constructed wine. Slightly drying finish.’ – JancisRobinson.com, 16+/20

Restless River Le Luc Pinot Noir 2021

‘Some 35% fermented whole-berry. Matured for 12 months in 228-litre barrels, 35% new. Seductive aromatics of red and black berries, musk, floral perfume, tea-leaf and white pepper while the palate has luscious fruit, bright acidity and velvety tannins. Full of charm and already quite accessible.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100

‘Craig Wessels doesn’t always get the praise he deserves for this Pinot Noir, which is often among the best in the Hemel-en-Aarde region. Intense, layered and well structured, it has a hint of good reduction, plum, raspberry and black cherry fruit, vibrant acidity and subtle sweetness from 30% new barrels. One to cellar.’ – Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2023, 95/100

‘Bright crimson. Firm, ambitious nose. More burgundian than most South African Pinots! Very subtle with violet notes and it may even develop mushroom notes. Really polished, fine tannins. Quite long. Ideally wait until next year.’ – JancisRobinson.com, 17/20

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