Restless River 2024 Mixed Case

Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Main Road Vineyard
Dignity Vineyard

Christian Eedes, Winemag:
Matured for some 22 months in 225-litre barrels, 20% new. Cassis, incense, violets, tea leaf and oystershell on the nose – very little herbal character, good or bad… Medium bodied and yet not short of fruit weight and structure while the tannins are fine, the finish properly dry. Alc: 13.8%.
94/100.

Tim Atkin MW:
Named after the two blocks that supply its raw material, Main Road & Dignity is a very rare example of a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hemel-en-Aarde region. Picked late in a cool site, it has cassis, bay leaf, fresh herb and damson flavours, grippy tannins, appealing zip and freshness and the concentration to age. 2025-32
94/100

Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Main Road Vineyard
Dignity Vineyard

Christian Eedes, Winemag:
Matured for some 22 months in 225-litre barrels, 20% new. Cassis, incense, violets, tea leaf and oystershell on the nose – very little herbal character, good or bad… Medium bodied and yet not short of fruit weight and structure while the tannins are fine, the finish properly dry. Alc: 13.8%.
94/100.

Tim Atkin MW:
Named after the two blocks that supply its raw material, Main Road & Dignity is a very rare example of a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hemel-en-Aarde region. Picked late in a cool site, it has cassis, bay leaf, fresh herb and damson flavours, grippy tannins, appealing zip and freshness and the concentration to age. 2025-32
94/100

Pinot Noir
Appellation: Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Le Luc Vineyard

Christian Eedes, Winemag:
Some 35% fermented whole-berry. Matured for 12 months in 228-litre barrels, 35% new. Seductive aromatics of red and black berries, musk, floral perfume, tea-leaf and white pepper while the palate has luscious fruit, bright acidity and velvety tannins. Full of charm and already quite accessible. Alc: 13.2%.
94/100.

Tim Atkin MW:
Craig Wessels doesn’t always get the praise he deserves for this Pinot Noir, which is often among the best in the Hemel-en-Aarde region. Intense, layered and well structured, it has a hint of good reduction, plum, raspberry and black cherry fruit, vibrant acidity and subtle sweetness from 30% new barrels. One to cellar. 2024-31.
96/100

Chardonnay
Appellation: Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Ava Marie Vineyard

Our farm is situated in the cool Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. The soils are granite-based and our vineyards are positioned mid-slope at an elevation of 260m. The cold South Atlantic ocean is 5km away and acts as a giant air conditioner. These contribute to a purity of fruit and fresh acidity. This site-specific Chardonnay bears the name of its vineyard, only 2.06ha in size and is registered as a single vineyard. Slopes are mostly south and east facing. Shallow top soils vary from iron rich rocks to a light, sandy gravel. Below this is decomposed granite clay and quartz crystals, all contributing to a poised Chardonnay with texture and definition.

Vinification
Specific parcels within the vineyard were hand-picked over a period of three weeks in February. The grapes were immediately placed whole bunch into our old Vaselin basket press. After a gentle four hour squeeze, the oxidised juice was settled overnight then racked into a variety of different sized French oak barrels (10% new) and unlined Tuscan terracotta amphora. Natural fermentation took up to 30 days after which sulphur was added for the first time and the wine was aged sur lie for 11 months. It was bottled after being racked into stainless steel to settle for 3 months and bottle-aged for 18 months.

Alc: 13.0% pH: 3.24 TA: 6.8g/l RS: 1.7g/l

Pinot Noir
Appellation: Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley / Walker Bay
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

Chardonnay
Appellation: Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
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