Crystallum Wines, Newton Johnson Vineyards and Storm Wines
Live Virtual Auction, 3 April 2022
Session 1
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
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.
Vrede Chardonnay – or Peace Chardonnay – hails from a northeast-facing slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil.
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Critics Ratings
‘Salted limes, marmalade, buttered rye, lanolin and river pebbles. The palate has subtle flinty notes adding complexity to the matured citrus, with persistent acidity lifting the creamy mouthfeel. Complete, classy, and ready to be enjoyed. ’ – Higgo Jacobs (Feb 2022)
‘Usual aromatic and flavour complexity on 2017 from Hemel-en-Aarde Valley: floral, stonefruit, oatmeal, orange peel. Subtly powerful palate, stony and silky, with fine lemony acid; the 25% new oak only supportive. Enduring, deeply satisfying.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (93/100)
‘Acid levels were high in 2017 - partly because of diurnal variation - so Hannes Storm put this through 80% malolactic. Naturally fermented, it’s a focused, subtle, toasty Chardonnay with good viscosity and noticeable freshness and zip. 2019-23.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 94/100