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.
Vrede Pinot Noir hails from a steep, northeast-facing slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil.
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Critics Ratings
‘Hallmark fruity-savoury persistence, brooding intensity from bouquet to finish on Hemel-en-Aarde Valley offering. Compact body, latent power from clay-rich, low-vigour Bokkeveld soil most noticeable on 2017; 2018 showing more of the vineyard’s overt acid character. Both deserve 5+ years cellaring to deliver on potential. New oak 28% and 30% respectively. Also in 1.5L. Natural ferment, as all the wines; unfined/filtered as all reds.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2020, 4.5* (94/100)
‘How time has flown! This is now the eighth release of Vrede, grown on clay rich soils at the lower end of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. North-facing at the top of the slope, it's Hannes Storm's plushest Pinot, with good density and structure, artfully integrated oak and an earthy bass note. 2021-28.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 96/100