Ava Marie Chardonnay 2016, 2017

Provenance

The late David Brice was a respected wine connoisseur, collector and co-founder of Brice and Burnett – The Fine Wine Specialists (formerly Wine Cellar). His lifelong passion for wine from all corners of the world wine, and generosity, helped develop a culture of fine wine in South Africa and beyond. Always with value and authenticity in mind, the collection spans a wide range of styles from leading producers and diverse regions. The wines were professionally imported under refrigeration and carefully stored at Brice and Burnett (formerly Wine Cellar) thereafter. Many of the producers are not available in South Africa and provide an excellent buying opportunity.

For more detailed information on the lots, please feel free to contact Roland Peens (roland@briceandburnett.co.za). Roland spent many years sharing and enjoying these wines with David Brice and is happy to provide further insight into the collection.

Critics Ratings

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
'The 2017 Chardonnay Ava Marie has a fragrant bouquet with touches of lemon rind, peach skin and an oily scent that is quite potent and attractive. The palate is vibrant on the entry with a tang of orange rind and marmalade, very intense with touches of mint and sage. It fans out nicely on the finish - an excellent Chardonnay that should drink well over the next decade and more.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 92/100 (Aug 2022)

'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) - Chardonnay of the Year

'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

'Charming purity of fruit, very mineral and balanced. The subtle nose evokes fresh white fruits, hints of light toast and white sesame. The palate is crystalline. Great texture and length. Savory and saline, this Chardonnay is magnificent.' - La Revue du Vin de France, 2020 - 18.5/20

'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 the ingredients in place for a longer future. (The 2008 that Craig gave me blind - it's no longer available - was delicious, though I took it to be a mature Sémillon.) Deep and long.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20

'Pear, lemon and a hint of oatmeal on the nose and palate but much more about structure than aromatics or primary flavour. It possesses intensity without being heavy or bulky and great length on the finish. Delicate and yet super-detailed, just beautifully poised, this vintage is the finest to date and firmly among the best examples in the country.' - Winemag, Christian Eedes - 96/100