After producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at Hamilton Russell Vineyards for 13 vintages, Hannes Storm is venturing out on his own. Last week we celebrated the launch of his new label, Storm Wines, and tasted his maiden single-vineyard Pinots from the Hemel-en-Aarde and Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valleys. Produced in tiny quantities and showing remarkable purity and freshness, these are SA’s hottest new Pinot Noirs.
Hannes’ aim is to encapsulate the subtleties of each site’s terroir. Moya’s Pinot Noir 2012 is produced from a four-year-old, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley vineyard planted on granite soils, whilst the Vrede 2012 is made from low vigour, clay-rich shale soils in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Both wines are a nod to Old World elegance, but the Vrede is richer with more depth and riper tannins, and the Moya’s Pinot Noir is perfumed and floral – a more feminine expression.
These are distinctive, characterful wines that reflect Hannes’ emphasis on meticulous viticulture and minimal intervention in the cellar. Unfortunately there is very little to go around. Please email [email protected] as soon as possible, or visit www.winecellar.co.za to order online.
Storm Vrede 2012, R375 p/bottle
Red fruit, musk, potpourri spice and a bright, restrained fruit profile billow from the glass. The palate is refined with lengthy tannins and structured linearity rather than juicy fruitiness. This is a fine wine that requires at least six months to settle. A premium expression of place. 92 points, Wine Cellar
Storm Moya’s 2012, R375 p/bottle
The prettier of the two Storm Pinots, with attractive rose petal, red berry fruit and a delicate perfume. This is a poised and ethereal offering that shows the feminine nature of Pinot Noir. The palate is soft and linear, staying light and svelte to the end. Like its sibling above, at least six months in bottle will bring out the best in this wine. 90 points, Wine Cellar