At the recent ‘Judgement of Cape Town’, a blind wine tasting of premium Pinot Noirs by 16 international wine professionals, this wine, the Restless River ‘Le Luc’ Pinot Noir 2022, came in top place, beating a Grand Cru red Burgundy from Armand Rousseau into 2nd place and a Premier Cru Chambolle-Musigny from Christophe Roumier as well as several others, including Felton Road (New Zealand), Littorai (California) and Cristom (Oregon). Here are the Top 6…

1. Restless River ‘Le Luc’ Pinot Noir, Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa 2022
2. Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru ‘Clos des Ruchottes’, Domaine Armand Rousseau 2022
3. Felton Road ‘Calvert’ Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand 2022
4. Littorai ‘Savoy Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, California 2022
5. Newton Johnson ‘Windansea’ Pinot Noir,Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa 2022
6. Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru ‘Les Cras’, Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier 2022

It’s a ringing endorsement for a wine we absolutely love and have bored people silly by incessantly claiming that it can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best Pinot Noirs in the world.

Press review:

Tim Atkin MW: “"I've found the target," says Burgundy nut Craig Wessels of the seventh vintage of Le Luc. Made with clones 113, 115 and 777 and fermented with 20% whole bunches, it's a succulent layered, intensely floral red with some subtle reduction, a hint of salami, stylish 30% new wood and flavours of plum and black cherry. 13% alc. Drink 2025-2032.” 95 points