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.
Moya's 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”.
Provenance
Producer
Critics Ratings
‘Rooibos and honey aromas lead into plum and baked cherries. This is ready to drink, offering lots of soft harmony and integrity of structure. Mature in flavour profile, but graceful and wonderfully poised .’ – Higgo Jacobs (Feb 2022)
‘Both Pinots very youthful, their true character needing years to emerge. This Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2014 a little brighter mid-2016, less imposing, more fragrant charm. Yet also with earthy, undergrowth elements and some dark depths. 20% new oak.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*
‘Subtle Thin Mint and mentholated herb notes mingle with earthy spiced tea and rooibos against the clean, focused red-berry and -cherry fruit tones on the nose of this attractive wine. There are hints of dried orange peel, red currant and just a kiss of fresh lavender. Medium-minus in weight, it's silky and ethereal in feel, with a lightness of being yet such sincere and serious intent and focus. It delivers bright flavors of snappy red cherry and currant, with oodles of sweet spice and lifted herbal tones that carry long into the finish.’ - Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast, 93/100 (Mar 2019)