Main Road and Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon

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