Restless River | 2024 release

We love November here at Ex Animo, as it is when we introduce the new Restless River vintages to South Africa every year. In 2024 Craig and Anne Wessels are celebrating Restless River‘s 20 year anniversary. A truly phenomenal achievement from a first generation wine family.

There have been some very positive changes to Restless River over the last 12 months. Firstly, Craig and Anne’s son, Luke, has officially joined the family company, and is responsible for marketing. He is full of passion and drive, and is a great addition to the team. The Wessels have invested heavily in a detailed expansion of their cellar on the farm, a project that has meant both capacity and quality can increase. This follows on from an ambitious planting program from the last few years which has increased their area under vine. Lastly, they are releasing the maiden vintage of two new wines: a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, blended from the newer vineyard plantings.

Vineyard selection from the newer plantings since 2019. Whole bunch pressed. Old Vaslin basket press. Oxidised juice, no S02 until after fermentation. Spontaneous ferments, on lees, no stirring, 11 months in older 500L barrels (5% new). 3 vineyards, vinified separately – paying attention to matching coopers, barrel age, toasting for each parcel.
1 month in s/steel before bottling, 9 months in bottle before release.

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za:
The nose is somewhat shy, some subtle reduction preceding pear, peach and citrus. The palate is marked by lightness and linearity – good fruit expression, racy acidity and a pithy finish.
92pt.

Tim Atkin MW:
It’s a very smart white from Craig Wessels, overcoming the challenges of a tricky vintage. Barrel fermented in 10% new oak with 50% malolactic, it’s a refined, tangy, elegant red with citrus, wet stone and rice pudding notes and a lingering finish. 2024-30
94pt

Vineyard selection from the newer plantings since 2017. Destemmed, whole berry. Open top fermenters, spontaneous ferments, combination of gentle pump over and punch downs. Basket pressed, 11 months 228L barrels, 20% new, 1 month s/steel tank before bottling, 9 months in bottle before release.

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za:
Red berries, orange and musk on the nose while the palate is elegant and understated – good fruit definition, fresh acidity and fine tannins, the finish gently savoury.
91pt.

Tim Atkin MW:
Elegant floral and ethereal, it’s more immediate and approachable than Le Luc, showing graceful elegance, summer pudding and goji berry fruit and refined tannins. 2024-29
94pt

Single Vineyard – Ava Marie
Oldest chardonnay vineyard in the Hemel-en-Aarde, planted 1999, 2ha. 26yo. Granite & clay, north & south aspects, mid slopes, 270m, clones 55, 5, 3, cordon trained. Whole bunch pressed. Old Vaslin basket press. Oxidised juice, no S02 until after fermentation. Spontaneous ferments, on lees, no stirring, 12 months in 500L barrels (10% new), terracotta pots (5%), one stainless steel barrel (2.5%). Harvested over 3 weeks, 8 parcels, vinified separately – paying attention to matching coopers, barrel age, toasting for each parcel. 3 months in s/steel tank before bottling.  18 months in bottle before release.

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za:
Complex aromatics of floral perfume, lemon, a touch of orange, oatmeal and some leesy complexity while the palate displays dense fruit and punch acidity before a savoury finish. The texture is just creamy enough while the flavours are elaborate. Mesmerising stuff.
97pt

Tim Atkin MW:
Everything is aligned on his superb 2022 release, which shows a difficult-to- achieve combination of freshness and density. Oatmeal, struck match and lemongrass aromas segue into a palate of subtle baking spices, beeswax and citrus zest complemented by lees-derived texture. Bravo! 2025-35
97pt

Single Vineyard – Le Luc
Pinot Noir, granite & clay, planted 2013, north aspect, mid slopes, 270m, clones 113, 115, 777, guyot trained, 2ha. 12yo. Destemmed, whole berry, 10% whole cluster.  Open top fermenters, spontaneous ferments, combination of gentle pump over and punch downs. Basket pressed, 12 months 228L barrel, 30% new, 3 months s/steel tank before bottling, 18 months bottle before release.

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za:
Red and black berries, musk, mushroom and white pepper on the nose while the palate combines impressive weight with verve. It’s a poised wine with well-defined fruit, lemon-like acidity and fine tannins.
94pt

Tim Atkin MW:
“I’ve found the target,” says Burgundy nut Craig Wessels of the seventh vintage of Le Luc. It’s a succulent, layered, intensely floral red with some subtle reduction, a hint of salami, stylish 30% new wood and flavours of plum and black cherry. 2025-32
95pt

Blend of two Single Vineyards, Main Road, Dignity.
Oldest cabernet sauvignon vineyard in the Hemel-en-Aarde, planted 1998, 1.5ha. 27yo. Granite & clay, 20% Koffieklip, north & west aspects, mid slopes, 260m, clone 163, cordon trained. Destemmed, 50% whole berry.  Open top fermenters, spontaneous ferments, combination of pump over and light punch downs. Basket pressed, 24 months 225L barrel, 30% new, 3 months s/steel tank before bottling, 21 months bottle before release.

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za:
On the nose, red and black berries, floral perfume, a subtle herbal note, a hint of olive and pencil shavings. The palate shows pure fruit, lively acidity and silky tannins, the finish gently savoury. Hardly opulent but there’s definitely a smoothness about it.
93pt

Tim Atkin MW:
It has graphite and fynbos, damson and blackcurrant flavours, sturdy tannins and a palate that flirts with but avoids greenness. Sui generis (Latin: “of its own kind”). 2025-32
94pt