Restless River Ava Marie Chardonnay 2021 Bottle size: 750ml

‘"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. 2024-31’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2023, 96/100

‘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

‘Arresting, ageworthy chardonnay from 1999 2-ha single-vineyard. Natural bunch-ferment & year on lees in 10% new oak, plus 10% amphora component deliver riveting tension, lime & spice complexity, flinty, limy persistence. Artful crafting of 2021 gives subtle, effortless power with balance, as in 2020 (4.5 stars, 94 pts).’ – Platter's Guide, 5* (95/100)

‘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. 2024-2030’ – Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20