Storm new releases

Hannes Storm has over two decades of experience working in the greater Hemel-en-Aarde area, maiden vintage of his own label being 2012. Is he still learning new tricks when it comes to producing top-end Chardonnay and Pinot Noir? “My greatest desire now is to communicate the vintage. To avoid coaxing the wine too much in one or other direction. To avoid putting too much of my own stamp on the wine.” Tasing notes and ratings for his new releases as follows:

Ridge Chardonnay 2024
Price: R819
Grapes from a Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge vineyard planted in 2019. Matured for 11 months in 228-litre barrels, 25% new. The nose is alluring with top notes of flowers and herbs before lemon and grapefruit, as wells as a touch of flinty reduction for added complexity. The palate is taut and focused, with superb fruit concentration, electric acidity and a long, saline finish. A wine of striking clarity and energy. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 97/100.

Vrede Chardonnay 2024
Price: R819
Grapes from a Hemel-en-Aarde Valley vineyard planted in 2015. Matured for 11 months in 228-litre barrels, 31% new. Lemon and orange to the fore, with subtle struck-match reduction and hints of vanilla and spice on the nose. The palate shows remarkable power despite an alcohol of just 12.71% – dense, compact fruit offset by acidity that can only be described as thrillingly sour, the finish long and savoury. Lovely texture and impressive layering of flavour.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Vrede Pinot Noir 2023
Price: R819
Grapes from a Hemel-en-Aarde Valley vineyard planted in 2012. Matured for 12 months in 228-litre barrels, 28% new. The nose is wonderfully expressive with notes of musk, cured meat, orange, red cherry and a touch of white pepper. The palate is rich and fleshy, the fruit supported by bright acidity and pleasantly grippy tannins. Convincing weight and texture, the finish long with a distinct umami quality. Alc: 13.71%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Ignis Pinot Noir 2023
Price: R819
Grapes from an Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley vineyard planted in 2012. Matured for 12 months in 228-litre barrels, 28% new. Red cherry, red currant, an invigorating herbal note and rose on the nose. As ever, the most light-bodied of the trio, but this vintage is especially elegant and refined – vivid fruit expression, racy acidity and ultra-fine tannins. Alc: 13.76%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Ridge Pinot Noir 2023
Price: R819
Grapes from a Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge vineyard planted in 2012. Matured for 12 months in 228-litre barrels, 26% new. The aromatics are hugely complex, with a floral perfume leading into red and black berries, herbs, earth and spice. The palate is well structured without being too weighty – great clarity of fruit, vibrant acidity and powdery tannins while the finish is exceptionally long and dry. A wine that combines poise and intricacy to breathtaking effect.

CE’s rating: 97/100.

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