Restless River

South Africa

Jan 26

Restless River is a small, but mighty, family-owned winery in the cool Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.

Hundreds of years ago, the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley was known as Attacquas Kloof. In 1760 the elder Wessel Wessels arrived with his family and set up home, becoming the first European settler to live and farm in the valley. Some historians say it was Wessel who called the valley Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth). Fast forward a few hundred years, when husband and wife Craig and Anne Wessels started planting part of the family farm in 2004, launching the Restless River label in 2012 to continual critical acclaim. They quickly made a name for themselves, and the cool climate, higher altitude Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, with their coveted, world class wines. The farm has some of the oldest Cabernet sauvignon and Chardonnay in the Hemel-en-Aarde, with vines first planted in 1999.

AVAILABLE WINES

Featured

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Main Road and Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon

from CA$88.00

Restless River

Restless River
Main Road & Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon

They have the oldest plantings of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in the valley, dating back to 1999, and still one of the only working with Cab Sauv in this cool region. Main Road and Dignity are two single vineyards, with slopes of gravel and koffeklip soils over decomposed granite clays. This was destemmed and native fermented in small open top oak vats, with a lengthy maceration followed by basket pressing. This then went into French barriques (25% new) where it rested undisturbed for 23 months. It was then racked from barrel to stainless for a short tightening stint prior to bottling, and 2 more years' rest prior to release. Iron-laced black cherry, black plum lead the structural and savoury palate, filled out with tobacco, anise, crushed dark florals, and graphite. Cedar-scented tannins are appropriately firm, framing this serious cab. The freshness of site and soils easily lifts the full 14.5% through a lingering dusty stone finish. Really impressive. 7765 bottles.

“Named after two blocks of grapes on the Restless River estate, this big, chewy wine offers a large nod to the great Cabs of the Napa Valley. Dark chocolate and stewed plums on the nose, followed by mulberry, strawberry compote, graphite and dense fruit cake. Big, but beautifully framed. Those who say that the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley isn't suited to Cabernet Sauvignon clearly haven't tried Main Road & Dignity.” - 92 points, Chris Wilson, Decanter.

Read about Restless River here.

Vintage: 2018
Bottle Size: 750 mL
Bottles per Case: 6
Price per Bottle: $88
Style: Still

Region: Western Cape
Appellation: WO Hemel-en-Aarde
Country: South Africa

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Colour: Red
Vegan: Yes
Organic: No
Biodynamic: No
Natural: No
Low Intervention: Yes

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Ava Marie Chardonnay

from CA$62.00

Restless River

Restless River
Ava Marie Chardonnay

The Restless River farm has some of the oldest Cabernet sauvignon and Chardonnay in the Hemel-en-Aarde, with vines first planted in 1999. This Chardonnay bears the name of its single 2.06 hectare vineyard, named after their daughter. The slopes are south and east facing, with shallow top soils with iron-rich rocks and sandy gravels over decomposed granite clays. This was whole bunch pressed, settled overnight, and then native fermented into various sized French barrels (5% new) as well as two terracotta amphora, from Tuscany. Post ferment, this rested on lees for 11 months prior to moving to stainless for a 3 month tightening stint prior to bottling. Once in bottle, this rested for 18 months prior to release.

Subtle white peach, pear is laced with crushed stone and woven with flint, deftly shaped and slightly gripped by the time in wood and amphora. The finish lingers long, with a wet chalk / saline note. Ample energy and achieved intent, and bottled under a Diam10, you can expect this to go the distance. A stunner. 9,634 bottles produced.

Read about Restless River here.

Vintage: 2019
Bottle Size: 750 mL
Bottles per Case: 6
Price per Bottle: $62
Style: Still

Region: Western Cape
Appellation: WO Hemel-en-Aarde
Country: South Africa

Grape: Chardonnay
Colour: White
Vegan: Yes
Organic: No
Biodynamic: No
Natural: No
Low Intervention: Yes

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Le Luc Pinot Noir

from CA$64.00

Restless River

Restless River
Le Luc Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir, planted in 2013, was named for their son, and rooted in sloping, well-drained gravel granite loam and iron rich koffieklip soils. This was partial whole cluster, native fermented in small open top vats, without punchdowns or pumpovers. Post ferment, this moved into French barriques (25% new) for a year long rest. It was then racked into stainless for a couple of months' tightening stint before bottling, without fining. Fragrant and alluring with wild cherries, black raspberries, plums, tea leaves threaded with iodine and iron running the slender, finessed palate. Tannins are long and fine and firm, housing this through a saline finish. Hints of quality Mornington Peninsula, and Volnay, but very distinctly H-e-A, which is thrilling. Beautiful now, and with ample time ahead. 3554 bottles made.

Read about Restless River here.

Vintage: 2019
Bottle Size: 750 mL
Bottles per Case: 6
Price per Bottle: $64.00
Style: Still

Region: Western Cape
Appellation: WO Hemel-en-Aarde
Country: South Africa

Grape: Pinot Noir
Colour: Red
Vegan: Yes
Organic: No
Biodynamic: No
Natural: No
Low Intervention: Yes

Address: Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa

Website : www.hemelenaardewines.com/restlessriver

FEATURED PRODUCERS

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Montalcino, Tuscany, Toscana

Giodo

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Champagne

Champagne Marie Copinet

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Marie-Laure Copinet and her winemaker husband Alexandre Kowal have taken over her family's estate, founded by her father Jacques in 1975. Before then, the Copinets were selling their fruit to Moët, but Jacques' work at Taittinger led him to decide to create their own grower champagne estate.

Champagne