2017 Restless River, Main Road and Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon, Hemel en Aarde, South Africa
Critics reviews
Drink 2021 - 2028
Neal Martin, vinous.com (Feb 2021)
About this WINE
Restless River Wines
Walker Bay
Walker Bay is a coastal wine district, located to the south-east of Capetown, near the town of Hermanus (of whale-watching fame).
Walker Bay has built its reputation on Pinot Noir, and best exemplified by the wines from the Bouchard-Finlayson & Hamilton-Russell estates.
Walker Bay has a cool, maritime climate. However vineyard virus and small scale production have prevented thsi wine region from competing effectively against the Pinot Noirs from New Zealand.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is probably the most frustrating, and at times infuriating, wine grape in the world. However when it is successful, it can produce some of the most sublime wines known to man. This thin-skinned grape which grows in small, tight bunches performs well on well-drained, deepish limestone based subsoils as are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or.
Pinot Noir is more susceptible than other varieties to over cropping - concentration and varietal character disappear rapidly if yields are excessive and yields as little as 25hl/ha are the norm for some climats of the Côte d`Or.
Because of the thinness of the skins, Pinot Noir wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. However the best wines have grip, complexity and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, redolent with freshly crushed raspberries, cherries and redcurrants. When mature, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouth feel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey "sous-bois" nuances emerging.
The best examples are still found in Burgundy, although Pinot Noir`s key role in Champagne should not be forgotten. It is grown throughout the world with notable success in the Carneros and Russian River Valley districts of California, and the Martinborough and Central Otago regions of New Zealand.
Description
The 2017 Main Road & Dignity comes from 1.59 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted in 1999 on granite soils. The enticing bouquet features blackberry, raspberry and light menthol scents; a touch of garrigue (wild fennel and thyme) emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a cool, slightly herbaceous entry (mint and wild thyme again), beautiful balance and gentle grip. There is a savory, briny element to this Cabernet, and fine length on the finish. Excellent. 7,973 bottles produced.
Drink 2021 - 2028
Neal Martin, vinous.com (Feb 2021)
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