Description
5km from the cold South Atlantic, this 25 year old vineyard is planted on granite, clay soils.
This is a classically structured Ava Marie 2018 with crystalline tangy acids, generous green and yellow citrus fruit flesh, intricate mineral flintiness and an intensity of lemon and green melon candy on the long, persistent, noticeably concentrated finish. Less steely, malic and severe in style than the impressively taut 2017 (96/100 GSMW), but certainly carries on the Ava Marie tradition of freshness, bright acidity and wonderfully focused purity. Drink now and over the next 10-15+ years. 95+/100 Greg Sherwood MW 5 stars Platter Guide 2021
Producer Information: Restless River
Restless River wines are hand crafted by the Wessels family on their farm in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, next door to the coastal village of Hermanus in the Western Cape, South Africa. The farm is owned and run by Craig and Anne, winemaker and manager respectively.
With vines planted in 1998, Restless River Vineyards has some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. The soils are extremely diverse, resulting in each small block being unique. The Valley is well renowned for its cooler climate. The farm is only 5km from the Atlantic Ocean, and with the vineyards at 870ft, the temperature is a further couple of degrees cooler.
About 1000 cases of each variety are produced every year. This approach results in special, elegant, somewhat rebellious wines that have their own distinctive personality and character shaped each year by that particular growing season.
