Single-Owner Private Collection of Fine Wines from South Africa, Bordeaux, Rhône Valley, Italy, Spain and more….

Timed Online Auction, 27 June - 15 July 2024

South Africa - Whites

Sold for

ZAR 8 208
Lot 45
  • Restless River; Ava Marie Chardonnay; 2016 - 2018; 6 (3 x 2); 750ml


Lot Estimate
ZAR 7 000 - 10 000
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 8 208
Location
Wine Storage

About this Item

2016 - 2018 Ava Marie Chardonnay
6 (3 x 2) 750ml

Restless River is a rising star which has quietly achieved cult-status for its brilliant, Burgundian-style Chardonnay and lean Cabernet Sauvignon. The Restless River label was launched in 2012 and is managed and owned by Craig and Anne Wessels, winemaker and manager respectively. Their farm is located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and has some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay vines in the region (planted in 1998). Almost all their production is done by hand, resulting in limited quantities of each wine.

Craig has carved out a unique style with his single vineyard Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay (named after daughter Ava) that reflects his philosophy of minimum intervention and linear wines, shaped by place and vintage.

Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

2016:
‘Fine single-vineyard wine beautifully composed in classic style. 2016 pure, expressive lime intensity, underlying nutty richness harmonised, endlessly lengthened by savoury tension. Oak enhanced, 5% new. Texture, structure & balance ensure future pleasure.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2019, 5* (95/100)

‘Grapes picked in four or five batches over 10 days for extra complexity and balance. Juiced treated oxidatively before spontaneous fermentation and maturation lasting 11 months in French oak, only 5% new. A subtle and elusive nose – not very much primary fruit in evidence but some lemon and white peach if you use your imagination while there’s also an appealing biscuit-like quality plus both some flintiness and earthiness. The palate is lean, fresh with a very long, salty finish. A triumph of understatement and now starting to take its place among the Cape’s best. Alcohol: 13.1%’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100 (Oct 2018)

‘Is this the most Burgundian of Cape Chardonnays? It certainly wouldn’t look out place in a line up of Corton-Charlemagnes. Barrel-fermented in 5% new wood, with some malolactic in 2016 (unusual for Craig Wessels), it’s a crunchy, pithy, citrus-edged wine with flinty, smoky, grapefruit and oatmeal flavours and a remarkably long finish. 2018-25’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 96/100

2017:
‘Five pickings from a single-vineyard, natural ferment in oak, aged in a mix of barrel, amphora, and stainless steel. 2017 has thrilling tension, purity and complexity in spice-edged, ripe lime flavours. Texture is as important; density and fine grip will ensure a long lifespan.’
- Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2020, 5* (97/100)

‘Craig Wessels picks this two-hectare block in five stages to achieve maximum balance and complexity. Large barrel and amphora-fermented, it’s a stunning, elegantly refined Chardonnay with understated oak, some cinnamon spice, good texture and a fresh, citrus peel finish. One of the Cape’s best Chardonnays.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 96/100

2018:
Selective pickings of Chardonnay single-vineyard, natural ferment/maturation in oak, 5% amphora sur lie, stainless steel, deliver usual riveting tension, ripe lime, spice complexity in 2018. Increased texture, fine-grained density yield to breathtaking flinty, limy persistence.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (97/100)

'Much riper nose than the 2017 and altogether a much better balanced wine whose high acidity is nicely balanced by almost balletic slimline fruit. Not an ounce of fat on this wine but you could drink it already – and it should age well.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16+/20 (Nov 2020)

‘"It's not the winemaker," says Craig Wessels, "I've just got great sites." His vineyards are certainly first class, but I think the man is being too modest here. Consistently one of the New World's best Chardonnays, this is complex, balanced and judiciously wooded with 10% amphorae-fermented juice adding some va-va-voom. 2019-27.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 96/100

Notes

Please take note of the 2019 label condition, the label is torn and scuffed - as per the image.

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