2023 Storm, Vrede, Pinot Noir, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa
- Tim Atkin MW
- 96/100
Storm focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, their three vineyard sites – Ignis, Vrede and Ridge – each possess an individual character. Storm Wines is now the only producer with Pinot Noirs from each Hemel-en-Aarde appellation.
The Ignis vineyard is located on a northern slope in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. The vineyard is cluttered with round pebbles on the soil surface, with underlying decomposed granite. The Ridge and Vrede sites rest on a cool, eastern slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. They have low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soils and a cool Atlantic Ocean influence, producing wines with high natural acidity and minerality.