This is the wine that first alerted us to Restless River years ago. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is grown deep in the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir heartland of the Upper Hemel en Aarde Vallley (just up from Newton Johnson). Cool-climate Cabernet allows for a longer ripening period and thus incredibly integrated tannin. Craig’s festidious approach results in a wine of structure and length, without relying on big, ripe flavours or lashings of new oak. Pure class.
Christian Eedes: “The last vintage before the four-year drought broke and this is headier and deeper than you might expect (not that the 2017 was too slight). Red and blackberries, earth, violets and crushed leaves on the nose while the palate has impressive fruit density and weight. The fruit is pure, the tannins fine yet grippy and there is very much a youthful reserve about it right now. Matured for 23 months in 225-litre barrels, around 25% new. Alcohol: 14.5%.”
