Provenance

Producer

Critics Ratings

Restless River Ava Marie Chardonnay 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)

Restless River Ava Marie Chardonnay 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

Restless River Ava Marie Chardonnay 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

Restless River Main Road & Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
'The perfumed nose offers pressed rose petals infusing the black fruit with touches of singed leather and black truffle coming through in time. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle, graphite-tinged opening, fine grip and moderate weight with a tobacco-infused finish. Classy and classic in style.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 91/100 (Aug 2023)

'Single-vineyard, classic style 2015 shows cool-climate purity, vibrancy in its blackcurrant, herbal & cedar notes. Youthful tautness suggests 10+ year maturation. The fruit is perfectly ripe & persists with delicious savoury length. Stylish 20% new oak trim.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (93/100)

'There are slightly more Cabernet Sauvignons in the cool Hemel-en-Aarde Valley than you'd imagine (three to precise), but this easily the best of the trio. Fresh, savoury and herbal with fine tannins, good structure and density and an artist's use of wood ageing. 2020-28' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 95/100

Restless River Main Road & Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon 2016:
'Named for two blocks on the farm. Unmistakeably cool-climate, as perfumed intensity of fresh black fruits, compact build, bracing, steely but ripely firm grape tannins on 2016 reveal. Flavoursome & richly textured flesh brings whole into balance. Natural ferment in open oak vats; 21 months on lees in barriques, 25% new. Deserves years in bottle.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2020, 4.5* (94/100)

'Vibrant mid-garnet colour. Pure nose of mature, cool-climate Cabernet - a herbaceous scent I do not encounter that often in this era of ever-warmer summers. There is some fruit here to counterbalance the acidity and some leafy aromas. Fresh, perfumed, sweet wine that's nicely in balance. Well done! Even if it's slightly skinnier than the Cabernet mainstream nowadays.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16/20 (Nov 2020)

'This South African red could outshine more than one Médoc vintage. The nose is superb; notes of graphite, crème de cassis, black truffle, with magnificent oak. The palate is delicate, its creamy envelope woven with an incredible mineral intensity. Already delicious, it can be aged for at least 20 years.' - La Revue du Vin de France, 2020 - 19/20. (Highest rated SA red wine, tie with Columella 2017).

'It takes courage to grow Cabernet Sauvignon in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, but Craig Wessels' two sites, both planted in 1998 but with different soil types and exposures, consistently deliver the goods. This is lighter and more forward than the 2015 - it could almost be a Cabernet Franc - with graphite and black cherry flavours and filigree tannins.' - Tim Atkin SA Special Report, 95/100

Restless River Main Road & Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
'From two cab blocks on the farm. 2017 riper than 2016 (4.5 stars, 94 pts) but beautifully proportioned, fresh & dry. There's more flesh, succulence in the soft, dark-berried flavours, restrained by insistent grape tannins for lengthy maturation. Enticing cedar scents. French oak, 20% new, gives final polish.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (95/100)

'Picked as late as May 7th in 2017 - surely the last in the country - this brilliant, cool climate Cabernet Sauvignon is a one-off. Leafy, pure and alluringly aromatic, it has a wonderful combination of freshness, depth and intensity, fine-boned tannins, fresh acidity and layers of cassis and black cherry flavour and complexity. The oak is expertly done. 2022-29' - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2020, 95/100

'Matured for 21 months in French oak, 20% new. The nose shows black and blue fruit, a leafy note and tilled earth. The palate is rich, full and relatively smooth in texture - plenty of dense, seemingly sweet fruit upfront (although technically dry with a residual sugar of 1.93g/l) before a finish that is long and savoury. At 14.5% alcohol, this is the showiest of recent vintages.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 93/100 (Nov 2020)

'The 2017 Main Road & Dignity comes from 1.59 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted in 1999 on granite soils. The enticing bouquet features blackberry, raspberry and light menthol scents; a touch of garrigue (wild fennel and thyme) emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a cool, slightly herbaceous entry (mint and wild thyme again), beautiful balance and gentle grip. There is a savory, briny element to this Cabernet, and fine length on the finish. Excellent. 7,973 bottles produced.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 91/100 (Oct 2020)