| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | South Africa |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This taut and brooding pinot noir has perfumed notes of lavender, burnt oranges, nutmeg and baking spices, mulberries and plums. Touch of iron and tobacco. It’s medium-bodied, tense and tightly wound with a fine tannin structure accompanying purple-fruit and spice notes. A serious wine, restrained for now. Try from 2026.
Ridge is often the most backward of Hannes Storm’s trio of remarkable single vineyard Pinot Noirs, sourced from an east-facing, high-density planting at 330 metres at La Vierge on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Plum, black cherry and a hint of graphite are underpinned by plenty of grip, backbone and intensity. One to tuck away for a while.
The Storm 2022 Hemel-En-Aarde Ridge Pinot Noir Ridge opens to aromas of purple violet, cassis, grilled herb and pencil shaving. This site is harvested three weeks later on average, and that accounts for the developed complexity and enhanced aromas present here. In fact, this bottle was placed last in our tasting because of its more powerful profile. It is almost brooding in personality with allspice, a botanical character and lingering wildflower. The Ridge shows a special textural impact that is tight, firm and silky overall. There's so much energy and freshness in all these wines from the talented Hannes Storm. Drink 2024-2037.
Pale ruby in the glass yet with a darker, more serious nose when compared to the other two Pinots from Storm this year. Savoury and lightly smoky with a whiff of Vosne-like spice on the nose, there are hints of pepper, plums and cherry with more swirling in the glass. The palate is deep, with a vertical structure of chalky, ripe tannins coated by spicy red fruit. Pithy and layered, this is a serious and ageworthy wine that will take a year or two in bottle to fully reveal itself, but the potential is very exciting. Impressive, deftly balanced and wonderfully detailed Pinot Noir. 513 cases produced.
