Restless River new releases

Five wines spanning three vintages highlights the evolving story of Restless River. The new releases include the Cabernet from the relatively straightforward 2022 vintage; single-vineyard Pinot and Chardonnay from the rain-challenged 2023 vintage; and bottlings from the newer vineyards of the high-quality 2024 vintage, which also saw the production team working in the renovated cellar for the first time.

Klein Hemel Pinot Noir 2024
Price: R340
From vineyards planted from 2017 to 2020 on both granite and Cederberg shale. 10% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 12 months in 228-litre barrels, 30% new. The nose is still very primary with notes of red cherry, rose, musk and a hint of vanilla. The palate is precise – medium bodied with good clarity of fruit, fresh acidity and super-fine tannins, the finish persistent. Alc: 13.6%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Klein Hemel Chardonnay 2024
Price: R340
From vineyards planted from 2017 to 2020 on granite soils. Matured for 12 months in 500-litre barrels, 10% new. A touch of struck-match reduction precedes aromas of lemon, oatmeal, and fresh bread. The palate shows a dense core of fruit and bright acidity, leading to a pithy finish. Well balanced and focused, it’s taut and driven without being overly angular or austere. Alc: 13.55%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Le Luc Pinot Noir 2023
Price: R665
From a single vineyard planted in 2013 on granite. 20% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 12 months in 228-litre barrels, 30% new. Red cherry and red currant with a touch of orange, complemented by subtle notes of musk, mushroom, and cured meat. Light-bodied, with lemon-like acidity and silky tannins, the wine displays finesse and elegance – no small feat given the challenging weather conditions.Alc: 13.3%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Ava Marie Chardonnay 2023
Price: R665
From a single vineyard planted in 1998 on granite. Matured for 12 months, predominantly in 500-litre barrels (10% new) with a small portion in amphora. Captivating aromatics of floral perfume atop citrus and subtle waxy complexity.  The palate shows concentrated fruit matched by vibrant acidity, finishing properly dry. Well delineated and creamy in the best sense, it is a wine of both breadth and depth, savoury and well balanced. Alc: 13.03%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Main Road & Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Price: R795
Now includes 20% of a vineyard planted in 2017 on Cederberg shale in addition to older blocks on granite. Matured for 24 months in 225-litre barrels, 30% new. Red, blue and black berries, musk, violets, the merest hint of leafiness, vanilla and earth on the nose. The palate shows good fruit depth and velvet-like tannins – succulent and fleshy rather than overtly plush. Alc: 13.7%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.