Storm Wines new releases

Hannes Storm of Storm Wines.

A year ago, it was the 2019 Chardonnays from Hannes Storm that impressed and now it is his three cuvées of Pinot Noir from that vintage that are coming to market and they are quite simply enthralling – yields were low in this year and while this meant volumes were reduced, fruit concentration is outstanding. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2019
Price: R610
W.O. Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. 15% whole-bunch fermentation, maturation lasting 11 months in French oak, 25% new – winemaking the same for all three vineyards. Rose, red berry, crushed herbs and white pepper on the nose. The palate has lovely fruit purity, bright acidity and fine, powdery tannins. Wonderfully subtle and intricate.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Storm Ignis Pinot Noir 2019
Price: R610
W.O. Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Aromatics of dark cherry, smoked meat, earth and spice while the palate shows good depth of fruit and snappy acidity – this has wonderful structure and shows both breadth and texture.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Storm Ridge Pinot Noir 2019
Price: R610
W.O. Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Dark cherry, musk, earth and spice on the nose. The palate, meanwhile, possesses dense fruit, zippy acidity and fine tannins. With layers of flavour, including a lovely spicy quality to the finish, this is just totally compelling.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Storm Vrede Chardonnay 2020
Price: R610
W.O. Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Matured for eight months in barrel, 25% new – same for counterpart below. Pear and citrus but also undertones of vanilla and struck-match reduction on the nose while the palate has lovely fruit purity, driving acidity and a pithy finish. Lean in the sense.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Storm Ridge Chardonnay 2020
Price: R610
W.O. Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. From a vineyard at an altitude of 330m above sea level and hence cooler than the Vrede vineyard that is planted at 125m above sea level. The nose shows a slight leesy note before lemon and a hint of orange plus subtle vanilla and oak spice. That much more voluptuous than Vrede without be at all vulgar or obvious – good fruit weight and bright acidity before a finish that is long and savoury.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

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