Storm new releases
By Christian Eedes, 20 May 2026
-
Share:
7
Is South Africa capable of rivalling the best of Burgundy? Equally, in an era of climate change, one might ask whether Burgundy itself still warrants the reverence traditionally accorded to it. In any event, Storm Wines proprietor Hannes Storm is producing some of the Cape’s most considered and compelling contemporary wines, these just happening to be from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
His 2024 Pinot Noirs have just been released and Storm notes that severe winds during flowering reduced yields significantly, while warmer conditions through the growing season resulted in a slightly earlier harvest. The wines consequently show both greater depth and brighter acidity than the 2023s.
As for the 2025 Chardonnays, the period between October and harvest was the driest in 35 years, yielding exceptionally healthy, optimally ripe fruit. All wines R879 per bottle.
Vrede Pinot Noir 2024
From a Hemel-en-Aarde Valley vineyard on shale. Matured for 12 months in 228-litre barrels, 25% new. Intriguing aromatics of red currant, orange, musk, cured meat and white pepper. The palate is rich, possessing both breadth and depth – a wine of big volume without being overbearing. Really detailed, a lovely line of acidity and silky tannins, the finish long and dry. Alc: 13.61%
CE’s rating: 97 | Serious
Ignis Pinot Noir 2024
From an Upper Hemel-en-Aarde vineyard on granite. Matured for 12 months in 228-litre barrels, 24% new. Cranberry, strawberry, a pretty fynbos note and white pepper on the nose while the palate is concentrated and vital with fine tannins. More mid-palate presence than some vintages of this wine (alcohol is 14%) without forfeiting its characteristic tension and drive.
CE’s rating: 96 | Distinctive
Ridge Pinot Noir 2024
From a Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge vineyard on shale and located at 330m ASL. Matured for 12 months in 228-litre barrels, 25% new. Red and black cherry, cassis, floral perfume, fynbos and spice on the nose. The palate shows great fruit definition with propulsive acidity and nicely grippy tannins. Structured yet not severe and just glorious to drink. Alc: 13.78%.
CE’s rating: 98 | Classic
Vrede Chardonnay 2025
Matured for 11 months in 228-litre barrels, 29% new. The nose shows lime, lemon and herbs plus hints of nuttiness and dough. Extraordinary purity and presence, lip-smacking acidity and a pithy finish. A wine of considerable complexity. Alc: 12.98%.
CE’s rating: 97 | Serious
Ridge Chardonnay 2025
Matured for 11 months in 228-litre barrels. Lemon, orchard blossom and oatmeal on the nose. Compact and dense on the palate with driving acidity and an extraordinarily long finish. Seamless and precise. Alc: 13.15%.
CE’s rating: 97 | Serious
Check out our South African wine ratings database.
-
Share:
Related articles
Reviews
Newstead Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs 2018
11 September 2026
Want access to this content? Reviews and Reports are initially reserved for subscribers. Get immediate access to exclusive insights and data. SUBSCRIBE NOW Already subscribed? Login
Reviews
Damascene new releases
9 September 2026
Want access to this content? Reviews and Reports are initially reserved for subscribers. Get immediate access to exclusive insights and data. SUBSCRIBE NOW Already subscribed? Login
0
Reviews
Hartenberg Sacred Soil 2023
8 September 2026
Want access to this content? Reviews and Reports are initially reserved for subscribers. Get immediate access to exclusive insights and data. SUBSCRIBE NOW Already subscribed? Login
Kwispedoor | 20 May 2026
Hi Christian
“…warmer conditions through the growing season resulted in a slightly earlier harvest. The wines consequently show both greater depth and brighter acidity than the 2023s.” This is a bit perplexing. Surely, all else being equal, warmer ripening conditions result in lower acidity, while cooler conditions lead to higher natural acidity? Or is this a case where, despite conditions calling for earlier harvesting, Hannes picked at an even earlier physiological stage, to preserve the acidity before it falls off?
Christian Eedes | 20 May 2026
Hi Kwispedoor, what I understood Hannes to be saying is that the grapes reached full phenolic ripeness while still retaining natural acidity that would likely have diminished had they been required to stay longer on the vine.
Bernard | 21 May 2026
Hi Christiaan,
Did you get an opportunity to drink Hannes’ Burgundy effort?
Christian Eedes | 21 May 2026
Hi Bernard, I did. It’s sublime.
Josua | 21 May 2026
Hi Christiaan, why did it not form part of the review? I know it’s not publicly available, but it would be interesting to see how a high-end Burg compares to top SA Pinot from the perspective of a local critic. Especially given how people are increasingly comparing the two.
Kwispedoor | 21 May 2026
I agree with Josua, Christian. You do rate overseas wines from time to time, and if a local winemaker makes it, surely it becomes even more relevant. You’re even specifically pondering our Pinot virtues, compared to Burgundy, in your opening paragraph. It’s irrelevant if the wine is available for purchase or not, a review of it remains relevant and interesting. If you do a poll on social media to ask if you should include it in your reviews of the Storm wines, the results will be a resounding “yes”, I can guarantee you that.
Christian Eedes | 22 May 2026
Hi Josua and Kwispedoor, It was drunk for pleasure which, you know, is occasionally the point of wine…
In truth, the occasion really didn’t lend itself to a critical review. I generally try to assess wines under reasonably consistent conditions and this wasn’t that.
Benchmark comparisons are obviously valuable and I don’t normally shy away from them, as I hope you’ll agree.