Restless River Cabernet Sauvignon 'Main Road and Dignity' Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2020

Description

Restless River is a rising star which has quietly achieved cult-status for its brilliant, Burgundian-style Chardonnay and ultra-elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. Launched in 2012 by Craig Wessels, who, alongside his successful career in digital production, also raced motorbikes and flew helicopters around the Cape, along with his ex-model wife Anne, their farm is located in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Its home to some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay vines in the region (planted in 1998). At Restless River, things are done in an unhurried way, with great dedication and attention to detail. Almost all their production is done by hand, resulting in limited quantities of each wine, and demand far exceeding supply. Restless River is defined by its terroir, and Craig Wessels' thoughtful and careful winemaking allows it to be the star of the show.

With vines planted by proprietors Craig and Anne Wessels in 1999, Restless River has some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. The valley is well renowned for its cooler climate and the Wessels believe it is fundamental that their vines reflect this distinctive, marginal environment in which they grow; passing their unique characteristics onto the grapes, and ultimately, the wine.

" Excellent” - Neal Martin, Vinous.com.... “Is this the best Cab Sauvignon in South Africa right now? Yes.” Natasha Hughes MW. Beautiful blackcurrant, red currant, graphite, a hint of tar, minerality, complex notes of wood and fruit, some tobacco leaf and cedar. What's exciting is that we have now experienced several vintages, and they all have an amazing quality, and it's something unique to this terroir. It might be half the price of some of those 'trophy' wines, but this is the genuine star of the scene.

Named after the two blocks that supply its raw material, Main Road & Dignity is a very rare example of a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hemel-en-Aarde region. Picked late in a cool site, it has cassis, bay leaf, fresh herb and damson flavours, grippy tannins, appealing zip and freshness and the concentration to age. 94pts. Tim Atkin