Chardonnay, Restless River, `Ava Marie` Hemel-en-Aarde, 2022, South Africa

95 points James Suckling reviews

The Restless River ‘Ava Marie’ Chardonnay 2022 is the definition of precision and elegance. Sourced from some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in Hemel-en-Aarde, this wine is all about tension, purity, and depth.

The texture? Stunningly refined, with crisp acidity and a long, layered finish. This isn’t just Chardonnay—it’s a statement. Cellar it or savor it now. Either way, you win.

This chardonnay is immensely textural and mineral. Salted almonds, lemon pith, Asian pears, chamomile and salted butter follow through to a medium- to full-bodied palate, showing lots of depth and plenty of chewy phenolics. Dry, chalky and saline. From a single vineyard planted in 1998. James Suckling

Hemel-en-Aarde (which means "Heaven and Earth" in Afrikaans) is one of South Africa’s most exciting cool-climate wine regions, best known for producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Located near the coastal town of Hermanus, it benefits from cooling ocean breezes from the Atlantic, giving wines incredible freshness, elegance, and depth.