Notes

The Restless River Ava Marie Chardonnay 2017 label has a slight tear on the front label (see image)

Critics Ratings

2013:
'Again, but maybe more so 2013 combines understated oak, tight intensity and power with generous citrus fruit and stony element. Poised and balanced, fine line of natural acidity. Probably the best yet of this impressively developing wine.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*

‘The 2013 Chardonnay Ava Marie has a pretty bouquet with white flower tinged citrus fruit, touches of sunflower seeds and is a little resinous. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, quite taut and refined, good weight with a hints of white pepper and nutmeg towards the finish. This has aged beautifully in bottle and will continue to give pleasure for the next decade.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 93/100 (Aug 2022)

2014:
‘Adds vineyard name. 2014 advances even on fine 2013 (4.5 stars, 93 pts). Understated oak, expressive fruit and a combo of delicious, supple generosity (even in youth) and tight, mineral restraint. Subtle, succulent intensity, long finish. 13% alcohol. These also in larger formats.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2017, 5* (95/100)

‘The 2014 Ave Marie Chardonnay is matured in 15% new oak. It has a composed bouquet with attractive white flower and hazelnut aromas infusing the citrus fruit, almost Meursault-like in character. The palate is fresh and vibrant with beautiful balance and impressive tension, hints of bitter lemon and subtle tropical tones forming the sophisticated finish. This is simply a fantastic, lip-smackingly delicious Chardonnay from Anne and Craig Wessels.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Apr 2017)

2015:
'The new vintage of Craig and Anne Wessels’ Chardonnay is a revelation and takes its place among the very best Cape interpretations of the grape. Subtle, focused and very minerally, with just a touch of oak, latent power and a core of citrus-tinged acidity. It wouldn’t look out of place in a line up of Corton-Charlemagnes. Drink: 2016-25.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2016, 96/100

‘Delicate, creamy citrus with high acid to balance. Intense, zesty and needs time – all too primary at the moment and not fully meshed but has all the ingredients in place for a longer future. (The 2008 that Craig Wessels gave me blind – it’s no longer available – was delicious, though I took it to be it a mature Sémillon.) Deep and long.’ – Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Oct 2017)

‘2015 shows more expressive intensity and richness than fine 2014 (5 stars, 95 pts), but lovely acid line keeps flavour depth and breadth in delicious and harmonious balance and control. Subtle oaking - just 5% new. Long-lingering, succulent lime-centred finish. These also in larger formats.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5* (93 pts)

2016:
‘Fine single-vineyard wine beautifully composed in classic style. 2016 pure, expressive lime intensity, underlying nutty richness harmonised, endlessly lengthened by savoury tension. Oak enhanced, 5% new. Texture, structure & balance ensure future pleasure.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2019, 5* (95 pts)

‘Is this the most Burgundian of Cape Chardonnays? It certainly wouldn’t look out place in a line up of Corton-Charlemagnes. Barrel-fermented in 5% new wood, with some malolactic in 2016 (unusual for Craig Wessels), it’s a crunchy, pithy, citrus-edged wine with flinty, smoky, grapefruit and oatmeal flavours and a remarkably long finish. 2018-25.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 96/100

2017:
'Five pickings from a single-vineyard, natural ferment in oak, aged in a mix of barrel, amphora, and stainless steel. 2017 has thrilling tension, purity and complexity in spice-edged, ripe lime flavours. Texture is as important; density and fine grip will ensure a long lifespan.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2020, 5* (97/100)

‘Craig Wessels picks this two-hectare block in five stages to achieve maximum balance and complexity. Large barrel and amphora-fermented, it’s a stunning, elegantly refined Chardonnay with understated oak, some cinnamon spice, good texture and a fresh, citrus peel finish. One of the Cape’s best Chardonnays.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 96/100

2018:
‘Selective pickings of Chardonnay single-vineyard, natural ferment/maturation in oak, 5% amphora sur lie, stainless steel, deliver usual riveting tension, ripe lime, spice complexity in 2018. Increased texture, fine-grained density yield to breathtaking flinty, limy persistence.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (97/100)

‘"It's not the winemaker," says Craig Wessels, "I've just got great sites." His vineyards are certainly first class, but I think the man is being too modest here. Consistently one of the New World's best Chardonnays, this is complex, balanced and judiciously wooded with 10% amphorae-fermented juice adding some va-va-voom. 2019-27.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 96/100

Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client