Dear *|FNAME|*,

With his viticultural prowess, minimal intervention approach and attention to detail, Hannes Storm is making some of SA's most charactered, terroir-specific wines. Producing some of the finest Pinot Noirs in the country, Hannes is the only producer who makes Pinot from all 3 wards in the Hemel-en-Aarde. He deftly encapsulates each of the terroirs (Vrede, Ignis and Ridge) in the bottle. These small-batch wines are in high demand and, as Christian Eedes enthused about the 2019s: 'they are quite simply enthralling.'

His 2021 Chardonnays are beautifully realised, modern wines that celebrate fruit purity laid over their taut acid structures and finely integrated oak. They are world-class!

From a northeast-facing slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, planted on low-vigour, Bokkeveld shale soil, the 2020 Vrede Pinot Noir is the most structured and powerful of the 3 Pinots. Opulent and sumptuous in 2020, it is just 'wow'.

From a vineyard in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley cluttered with round pebbles over decomposed granite, the 2020 Ignis Pinot Noir is aromatically the most beguiling. With notes of tea and spices followed by juicy fruit density, Tim Atkin MW calls it the Chambolle-Musigny of this range. It is just so delicious already!

From a cool, eastern slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, the 2020 Ridge Pinot Noir is grown on low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soils. The palate is deeper and more luxurious, seemingly getting better with every release.

The 2021 Vrede Chardonnay is inviting with stone fruit notes, a slight tannic grip on entry and a focused finish with marked acidity. Grown on a northeast-facing slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil, this is perfectly balanced straight out of the block.

With shy white peach and alluring oak spice, the 2021 Ridge Chardonnay needs time to settle. The finish is tight and focused, with a powerfully driven backbone of acidity. From a cool, eastern slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, it offers power, elegance and length.

Storm Wines on auction

Over 30 rare and sought-after Storm lots will be going on auction this weekend. As part of Strauss & Co's Hemel-en-Aarde-themed live virtual sale (Sunday, 3 April at 10am), Storm Wines will be featured alongside prestigious Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from Crystallum and Newton Johnson. Register and place your pre-sales bids now.

Reply to this email or visit our website to place your order online.

Vinous regards,

Tasting notes

Storm Wines, Vrede Pinot Noir 2020

'Now into its tenth vintage – where did the last decade go? – this is a brilliant Pinot Noir that builds complexity in the glass. Opulent, spicy and perfumed, with rose petal and violet aromas, fine acidity, considerable underlying grip, savoury tannins and ageing potential and subtle 25% new oak. 2022-29.' – Tim Atkin MW, 96/100

Storm Wines, Ignis Pinot Noir 2020

'The single-vineyard pinots treated identically in cellar (but for slight variances in 30% new oak) to express terroir; here light-structured decomposed granite of Upper Hemel-en-Aarde. The more piquant & mineral, bayleaf-nuanced 2020’s raspberry & cranberry generosity wraps a firm frame, acid tension & oystershell length promise minimum decade ageing.' – Platter's Guide, 5* (95/100)

Storm Wines, Ridge Pinot Noir 2020

'As its name suggests, this hails from a cool shale site on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, planted as recently as 2009. It combines the density of Vrede with the perfume of Ignis, making it Hannes Storm's most complete Pinot, with floral scents, red cherry and raspberry fruit, savoury tannins and focused acidity. 2022-29.' – Tim Atkin MW, 95/100

Storm Wines, Vrede Chardonnay 2021

'Lovely lime notes, delicate stone fruit and white peach with hints of exotic, tropical fruit, inviting and deep followed by a taut, slightly tannic grip on the entry with a precise and attractive palate. Wonderful balance of fruit intensity and a lingering finish.' – James Pietersen (March 2022)

Storm Wines, Ridge Chardonnay 2021

'The Ridge Chardonnay is more restrained, with promising summer fruits and alluring oak spice following on to a visceral, acid-driven, powerful and lingering finish. This is a great vintage of this wine, requiring a few months to settle and integrate, but it is sure to evolve for a decade or more.' – James Pietersen (March 2022)

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