Storm Wines new releases

Hannes Storm’s three examples of Pinot Noir from the 2020 vintage are a revelation. He says that they have “enough of everything – both perfume and texture” and they are indeed voluptuous in the very best way. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2020
Price: R630
Grapes from a vineyard on clay-rich shale in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. 15% whole-bunch fermentation, maturation lasting 11 months in French oak, 25% new – winemaking the same for all three vineyards. Seductive aromatics of musk and rose before red cherry, tea and earth. The palate shows pure fruit, fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins. This has depth and weight without sacrificing balance.

CE’s rating: 97/100.

Storm Ignis Pinot Noir 2020
Price: R630
Grapes from a vineyard on stony granite in Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Wild strawberry, cranberry, rose, an attractive herbal note and white pepper on the nose while the palate shows excellent clarity of fruit, punchy acidity and crunchy tannins. Compact and direct.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Storm Ridge Pinot Noir 2020
Price: R630
Grapes from a cool and hence later ripening vineyard on low-vigour shale in Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Wonderfully complex aromatics of cherry through black fruit pastille as well as cured meat, mushroom and spice. The palate has excellent fruit expression matched by a great line of acidity and tannins that are firm yet simultaneously supple. A truly multi-dimensional wine with layers and layers of flavour.

CE’s rating: 98/100.

Storm Vrede Chardonnay 2021
Price: R630
From Hemel-en-Aarde Valley grapes. Matured for eight months in barrel, 25% new – same for below. Classic aromatics of blossom, citrus, toasted almond and struck match while the palate has impressive depth of fruit without being weighty, bright acidity and a pithy finish.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Storm Ridge Chardonnay 2021
Price: R630
From Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge grapes. More exotic aromatics with notes of pear, peach, citrus and even a little pineapple plus flinty reduction and some yeasty complexity. The palate is rich and round yet beautifully balanced thanks to tangy acidity. Most engaging.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

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