Restless River
An animation-entrepreneur-turned-winemaker, Craig Wessels has taken the South African wine scene by storm since the first commercial release of Restless River in 2012. Now encompassing a portfolio which also includes Pinot Noir and Grenache, it is still their "world-class" Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon that impress critics the most.
Rising quickly to “Second Growth” status in Tim Atkin MW's South African classification (in less than a decade), Wessels and his wife Anne are seen as the leading lights of the cool and maritime Hemel-en-Aarde region in Walker Bay. Not only have their outstanding and serious wines pushed the boundaries of Hemel-en-Aarde, but they have also redefined the region as more than a just "value option".
Rising quickly to “Second Growth” status in Tim Atkin MW's South African classification (in less than a decade), Wessels and his wife Anne are seen as the leading lights of the cool and maritime Hemel-en-Aarde region in Walker Bay. Not only have their outstanding and serious wines pushed the boundaries of Hemel-en-Aarde, but they have also redefined the region as more than a just "value option".
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 92 (VN (NM)) | $109.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (92)The 2016 Chardonnay Ava Marie has a fresh, slightly petrolly nose, well defined with good intensity. After ten minutes it had developed a lovely oyster shell scent. The palate is taut and fresh with a twist of sour lemon on the entry. Surprisingly linear considering the warmth of the season, it is almost Chablis-like on the finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the South Africa Ten Years On tasting in London. |
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Cape South Coast | 3 | 93 (WA) | $622.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (93)The Restless River 2022 Upper Hemel-En-Aarde Valley Le Luc is all Pinot Noir from granite soils. Fruit comes from younger vines planted in 2013 on a north-facing slope. The wine ages in 228-liter barrels, of which one-third is new oak for 12 months. This mostly hands-off approach results in a delicate wine with tart berry nuances, redcurrant and crushed stone. Some of the salty mineral sensations you find here, which give such nice contouring to the wine, come thanks to those granite soils. It concludes softly with a medium-lean mouthfeel, pretty freshness and brightness. This is a 5,500-bottle release. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 97 (GS) | $125.00 | |||||
Greg Sherwood MW (97)This attractive Hemel-en-Aarde Cabernet Sauvignon is fabulously dense and textured with multiple layers of creamy tannins coating the opulent fruit concentration. Full and glycerol in the mouth with refreshing acids, bright creme de cassis, black cherry and earthy baked plum fruit nuances. This vintage shows all the classic 2017 vintage elegance, focus and intensity with impressive mouthfeel and superb balance. You know this is something very special from the very first sip and certainly could be Craig Wessel’s finest Cabernet effort to date. Drink now and over 15+ years. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 94 (TA) | $119.00 | |||||
Tim Atkin MW (94)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. |
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Cape South Coast | 3 | 94 (WA) | $772.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (94)Packaged in a heavy glass bottle, the Restless River 2021 Upper Hemel-En-Aarde Valley Main Road & Dignity Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon walks a delicate line as a big wine, but it's a big wine with elegantly contained intensity. You feel the power of its dark fruit and blackberry flavors, but you also get cola, sage and green spice that give the wine chiseled contours. This is a release of 11,261 bottles. These vines were planted in 1998, making them quite old for the territory. The soils are decomposed granite with koffie klip and a shallow clay bed. This was one of the last harvests in South Africa, at six weeks later than average. A cool climate and long hang time add the special freshness you perceive in this bottle. It ages for 23 months in 225-liter barrel, with 30% new wood, followed by three months in stainless steel and 18 months in bottle. |
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