Provenance

Producer

Critics Ratings

2014
'Classic blackcurrant, cedar and herbal notes on 2014, cool-climate herbaceous hint well covered by ripe fruit. Fresh and vital, thriving acid and tannin important to character. 20% new oak; 14.1% alcohol. As always, less rich and fulsome than Cabernet from warmer regions.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5* (92 pts)

'Not many Cape producers make world-class Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Chardonnay, but Restless River does. This grassy, elegant, Margaux-like varietal is beautifully focused, floral and textured with wonderful lightness of touch, subtle oaking and a leafy, refreshing finish. 2018-24.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 95/100

2015
‘Single-vineyard, classic style 2015 shows cool-climate purity, vibrancy in its blackcurrant, herbal and cedar notes. Youthful tautness suggests 10+ year maturation. The fruit is perfectly ripe and persists with delicious savoury length. Stylish 20% new oak trim.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (93 pts)

'There are slightly more Cabernet Sauvignons in the cool Hemel-en-Aarde Valley than you’d imagine (three to precise), but this is easily the best of the trio. Fresh, savoury and herbal with fine tannins, good structure and density and an artist’s use of wood ageing. 2020-28.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 95/100

2016
‘Named for two blocks on the farm. Unmistakeably cool-climate, as perfumed intensity of fresh black fruits, compact build, bracing, steely but ripely firm grape tannins on 2016 reveal. Flavoursome and richly textured flesh brings whole into balance. Natural ferment in open oak vats; 21 months on lees in barriques, 25% new. Deserves years in bottle.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2020, 4.5* (94 pts)

'It takes courage to grow Cabernet Sauvignon in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, but Craig Wessels' two sites, both planted in 1999 but with different soil types and exposures, consistently deliver the goods. This is lighter and more forward than the 2015 - it could almost be a Cabernet Franc - with graphite and black cherry flavours and filigree tannins. 2020-28.' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 95/100

2017
‘From two Cabernet blocks on the farm. 2017 riper than 2016 (4.5 stars, 94 pts) but beautifully proportioned, fresh and 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 SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (95 pts)

'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. 2022-29.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 95/100

2018
‘Extraordinary maritime Cabernet from 2 blocks. Always a keeper, more so super-structured 2018 due to drought giving small, thick-skinned berries with little juice. Beautifully proportioned (as noted for 2017 (5 stars, 95 pts)), with considerable fruit charms, bone-dry finish. Oak, 25% new, adds cedar scent and final polish. Needs and deserves extended maturation. 14.5% alcohol.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2022, 4.5* (94 pts)

'Coming from the last of the proper drought vintages, Craig Wessels has captured a wonderfully opulent and heady expression of Cabernet Sauvignon with plenty of exoticism and ripeness while never losing a certain feeling of classicism and elegance. Tasted over two days, the wine shows an impressive depth of black and blue berry fruits with initial notes of plum skins, pressed violets, wet leaves, sapidity and sweet cedar spice followed by tilled earth, salty black liquorice and cherry kirsch liquor nuances. On the palate the fruit depth is broad and plush with a dark cherry and black currant intensity, hints of graphite and iodine and finishing with a fine-grained mineral tannin grip and yet more salty liquorice notes.' - Greg Sherwood MW, A Fine Wine Safari, 95/100 (Sept 2022)

2019
'Main Road & Dignity is a brilliant anomaly from Restless River, a late picked Cabernet Sauvignon in a cool climate region that's famous for its Pinot Noirs. But what a red it is: leafy, herbal, yet ripe, with glossy tannins, graphite and basil top notes, redcurrant and cassis fruit and a bright, tapering finish. 2024-30.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2022, 94/100