| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | South Africa |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2022 Pinot Noir Ignis includes 15% whole bunch and underwent a seven-day cold maceration. Naturally fermented, it then matured in French oak barrels (33% new). This has a more expressive bouquet than the Vrede, quite floral in style, with dried rose petals complementing that red berry fruit and a hint of balsamic emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and good balance. Classical and quite Burgundian in style, the stems impart a subtle pepperiness on the linear finish. Classy. Drink 2025-2035.
As its name suggests, Ignis uses grapes from a 2.4-hectare, north-facing site on warmer decomposed granite soils. Pale, ethereal and very delicate for a 2022 red, it combines the Burgundian 113 and 115 clones to brilliant effect. Focused, energetic and tangy, with savoury tannins, pomegranate and wild strawberry flavours, nuanced and a real sense of energy, vibrancy and purpose. Incredibly long.
The Storm 2022 Hemel-En-Aarde Valley Pinot Noir Ignis starts off with a ripe note of strawberry or watermelon and follows through with fynbos, grilled rosemary and wildflower. The wine is open-knit and quite generous at an early age. It shows a softer phenolic profile with a pinch of spice and pithy fruit. Its lifted or punchy character is vaguely carbonic. I suggest a shorter drinking window for the Ignis. Drink 2024-2032.
The Ignis Pinot Noir is very pale in the glass again this year, and has an airy, sweet and perfumed nose of red fruit. There is something Volnay-like about this wine, it is seamless on both palate and nose, with an immediacy that belies the intensity of fruit on show. A sumptuous, seductive Pinot that is light on its feet and as much if not more about its aromatics as its taste, there is just a lick of spice on the finish that ties everything together. Moreish. 447 cases produced.
