Under the custodianship of Craig and Anne Wessels, Restless River is one of the rising stars on South Africa’s fine wine scene. This duo has quietly achieved ‘cult status’ for their brilliant, Burgundian-style Chardonnay and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2018 Ava Marie Chardonnay is, once again, exceptional with the Chassagne-like minerality and chiselled structure that has become its trademark. Like always, the oak has been beautifully managed with fine purity and a detailed finish. With 97 points from Platter’s, the Ava Marie is, like the Cabernet below, only available in very limited quantities.

Following on from the ‘category-redefining 2015’ vintage, we believe that the 2017 Main Rd & Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon is their finest release to date. This is the most exciting Cabernet Sauvignon outside of Stellenbosch. Made in the same fresh and leafy style as previous bottlings, the excellent 2017 vintage has added an extra gear of ripeness and impressively fine tannins. It dances that fine line between ripe fruit and greenery, against a backdrop of silky tannins and a serious structure. Due to the prolific worldwide demand for these small-batch productions, this is a ‘must-have’ for your cellar.

This year also sees the release of the highly-rated 2019 Le Luc Pinot Noir. Bristling with youthful energy, it is ‘the real deal’ according to Christian Eedes who gave it an impressive 95 points. This wine is becoming more accomplished with every vintage and is sure to be in high demand.

The 2019 Wanderlust Red Blend, 50:50 Pinot Noir and Pinotage, sits within the realm of the experimental. A unique wine, needing a little time to settle, it celebrates the vibrancy of Pinot Noir with its bright and tangy palate followed by a dry, firm Pinotage finish. The Wanderlust label offers Craig the opportunity to explore different varieties and techniques under small-batch, one-off productions.

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Tasting notes

Restless River, Ava Marie Chardonnay 2018

Selective pickings of chardonnay single-vineyard, natural ferment/maturation in oak, 5% amphora sur lie, stainless steel, deliver usual riveting tension, ripe lime, spice complexity in 2018. Increased texture, fine-grained density yield to breathtaking flinty, limy persistence. – Platter’s Guide, 5* (97/100)

‘It’s not the winemaker,’ says Craig Wessels, ‘I’ve just got great sites.’ His vineyards are certainly first class, but I think the man is being too modest here. Consistently one of the New World’s best Chardonnays, this is complex, balanced and judiciously wooded with 10% amphorae-fermented juice adding some va-va-voom. Drink 2019-27. – Tim Atkin MW, 96/100

Restless River, Main Rd & 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 Guide, 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. Drink 2022-29. – Tim Atkin MW, 95/100

Restless River, Le Luc Pinot Noir 2019

To date, the Le Luc Pinot Noir from Restless River in Hemel-en-Aarde has arguably been a little underdone but the soon-to-be-released 2019 vintage is magical. Grapes from a single vineyard of sandstone on clay, winemaking involved 30% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting some 14 months in 500-litre barrels, 25% new. The nose is very expressive with notes of dark cherry, musk and spice while the palate has great fruit purity and tannin structure – it’s full and concentrated but still wonderfully energetic and possesses proper detail. Lovely fruit purity and freshness to go with crunchy tannins, this is the real deal. – Christian Eedes, 95/100

Craig Wessels makes his ever-improving Pinot Noir from a single block planted with clones 113, 115 and 777. Picked in three stages, it's the most complete release yet: savoury, scented and finely oaked, with 20% whole bunch spice, silky tannins and wild strawberry and pomegranate fruit. Very promising indeed. Drink 2021-26. – Tim Atkin MW, 94/100

Restless River, Wanderlust Red Blend 2019

A 50:50 blend of Pinotage and Pinot Noir. A fynbos top note before macerated cherries and an earthy note. The palate has a sweet ‘n sour quality while the tannins are particularly grippy. Intriguing if a bit rustic. – Christian Eedes, 90/100

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