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.
Ignis Pinot Noir hails from a northern slope in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Organically farmed, the vineyard is cluttered with round pebbles on the soil surface with underlying decomposed granite. Latin for “fire”, ignis refers to the fact that granite is an igneous rock formation – “from fire to stone”.
Critics Ratings
‘Light ruby appearance with an orange hint. Stalky spice over tight cranberry and sour raspberry with sweet mint and rooibos. Soft and mellow on the palate, starting to show maturity with tertiary pruny hints, but with the typical lasting freshness from the property. ’ – Higgo Jacobs (Feb 2022)
'‘Such wonderful fruit that really merits comparison with Côte de Beaune, or great Californian equivalents. Smoky, savoury, layered and perfumed and enchanting. Lovely herby thread throughout.’ - Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Sept 2018)
Lifted perfume and pure-fruited charm with forest floor undertone on 2016 from Upper Hemel-en-Aarde. Like previous vintages, the easiest in youth, the least severely structured, of a range that needs years to start showing its best. Splendidly balanced, long-lingering.’ Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (94/100)
‘This cool, alluvial, granite-based site makes Hannes Storm’s most aromatic Pinot Noir, with 10% whole bunches adding extra perfume and spice. This is a very elegant, harmonious wine that wouldn’t look out of place in a line-up of Chambolle-Musigny Premiers Crus. Raspberry and wild strawberry flavours are underpinned by fresh acidity and sensitively used oak. One of the Cape’s outstanding Pinots. 2018-25.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 96/100
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