Pinot Noir Ridge, Storm Wines 2022

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.

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.