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Restless River, Chardonnay Ava Marie, 2022

White Wine from South Africa, South Africa
by Restless River
$61.99
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From a cult address in the cool Hemel-en-Aarde valley, Restless River's Ava Marie is single-vineyard Chardonnay of Burgundian allure, grown on soils more than 400 million years old by Craig and Anne Wessels. The cool site and long, slow ripening yield a serious, concentrated white shaped by restraint rather than flash, vinified across barrel, steel and amphora to keep it precise and fresh. The 2022 is a superb release, threading a difficult-to-achieve combination of freshness and density that comes from decades of knowing this one remarkable vineyard intimately. Drinking beautifully now and capable of developing further over the next several years. One of the Cape's most compelling whites.

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Jancis Robinson

16.5 points

"Light and pure on the nose. Lots of acidity at the moment – that’s the dominant note. Also quite chewy. It’s not yet ready! But there’s a lot buried underneath. 2024-2030"

More about

The estate is tucked in a valley just inland from the coastal town of Hermanus, called the Hemel-en-Aarde – Afrikaans for “Heaven and Earth” and named by missionaries who said the surrounding mountains seemed to touch the sky, with only heaven and earth visible around them. It is one of South Africa’s great cool-climate regions, shaped by ocean air, mountain influence, and long, slow ripening seasons.

The granite, sandstone, and shale soils here are over 400 million years old: ancient, even by wine world standards. The South Africans like to point out that when Burgundy’s limestones were forming on Jurassic seabeds 150ish million years ago, these African soils were already hundreds of millions of years old. The erosion of ages since has weathered that rock into a complex mix of decomposed granite, shale and sandstone that is a terroir lover’s dream.

Given its unique microclimate and ancient soils, this is a region naturally suited to impeccably balanced Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. But against all odds, Restless River has also made a very strong case for Cabernet Sauvignon. The coolness of these vineyards lets the fruit hang longer, building flavor and phenolic maturity without losing freshness. The result is Cabernet that feels closer to the Old World, full of complexity and terroir influence. Meanwhile, the Pinot Noir offers ripe fruit with that quintessential savory Cape edge, and the Chardonnay carries texture and depth without becoming heavy.

Craig uses multiple vessels for the Chardonnay, including barrels (both old and new), steel tanks, and even a couple of amphoras, so that the common threads of fruit and vineyard sing, and no single vessel can dominate the palate. The wines are serious and concentrated, but never loud. They are shaped by patience, restraint, and a learned hand in the cellar.

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Chardonnay

  • Vintage

    2021

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Organic

  • Style

    crisp , Elegant

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Medium Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

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Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Roast chicken, seared scallops, lobster with butter, creamy pasta, or Gruyere.

Tasting Profile

Concentrated yet fresh Chardonnay with citrus, white peach, a touch of flint and subtle oak. Lively acidity, fine texture and a long, precise finish. Drinking well now.