Crystallum Wines, Newton Johnson Vineyards and Storm Wines
Live Virtual Auction, 3 April 2022
Session 1
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About this Item
After working 12 vintages in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley as winemaker at Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Hannes Storm discovered 2 tiny parcels of land with particularly exceptional terroirs and planted them with Pinot Noir in 2008. 2012 saw the maiden vintage being released and was produced from low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld (‘Buck Veld’) shale soil in the Valley ward. Hannes is now the only producer of Pinot Noir from each of the three appellations in the Hemel-en-Aarde and the Vrede is widely regarded as SA’s benchmark. Just 350 cases were produced, and it offers fine aging potential.
Ridge Pinot Noir hails from a cool, eastern slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil.
Critics Ratings
‘Savoury nuance to the red berries, liquorice and a touch of cola. The savoury line follows on the palate that has mouth-watering, lively tight fruit, supported by tilled earth and complementing soy. Ridge is the most complex and long-lived in the range. Stock up. ’ – Higgo Jacobs (Feb 2022)
‘From clay-rich, low-crop Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge soil, this typically more unsettled in youth, all elements finely judged but needing year or 2 to harmonise. 2017 (27% new oak) has a pleasant ferrous nuance. ’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2020, 4.5* (94/100)
‘Ridge comes, obviously enough, from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge and is made with the youngest vines in the Storm portfolio. Grown at 330 metres of Bokkeveld shale, it’s spicy and refreshing, showing pomegranate and red berry fruit and some underlying grip. 2020-25.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 94/100
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