Chardonnay
2021 Growing Season
The year 2019 was a culmination of three years of bone-dry soils. Although vines are drought-tolerant, 2019 was the year when the stress reached a crescendo. Darwin and Mother Nature are stunning dance partners. A vine’s core purpose is to nurture its offspring ‒ its seeds/grapes. Stress vines to the limit with three years of drought and they focus all their energy into very few grapes. And if we do our job right, that intensity goes into the fermenter, barrel and, eventually, the bottle.
Vrede
Alcohol: 13.25 %
Acid: 5.8g/l
pH: 3.43
Residual Sugar: 3.1 g/l
Wooding: 24% New, 23% 2018, 32% 2017, 21% 2016 - 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 11 months
Coopers: 36% Francois Freres, 44% Mercurey, 20% Chassin
Vineyard Yield: 1.46 t/ha, 0.95 hl/ha, 0.33 kg/vine
Production: 275 cases (12) produced
Bottling Date: February 2020
Release date: April 2021
Acknowledgements:
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2019 – 5 stars, Platter’s Wine Guide 2020
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2019 - 96, South African Report 2020,
Tim Atkin, MW
Ridge
Alcohol: 13.25 %
Acid: 5.8g/l
pH: 3.43
Residual Sugar: 3.1 g/l
Wooding: 24% New, 23% 2018, 32% 2017, 21% 2016 - 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 11 months
Coopers: 36% Francois Freres, 44% Mercurey, 20% Chassin
Vineyard Yield: 1.46 t/ha, 0.95 hl/ha, 0.33 kg/vine
Production: 275 cases (12) produced
Bottling Date: February 2020
Release date: April 2021
Acknowledgements:
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2019 – 5 stars, Platter’s Wine Guide 2020
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2019 - 96, South African Report 2020,
Tim Atkin, MW
2020 Growing Season
The year 2019 was a culmination of three years of bone-dry soils. Although vines are drought-tolerant, 2019 was the year when the stress reached a crescendo. Darwin and Mother Nature are stunning dance partners. A vine’s core purpose is to nurture its offspring ‒ its seeds/grapes. Stress vines to the limit with three years of drought and they focus all their energy into very few grapes. And if we do our job right, that intensity goes into the fermenter, barrel and, eventually, the bottle.
Vrede
Alcohol: 13.25 %
Acid: 5.8g/l
pH: 3.43
Residual Sugar: 3.1 g/l
Wooding: 24% New, 23% 2018, 32% 2017, 21% 2016 - 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 11 months
Coopers: 36% Francois Freres, 44% Mercurey, 20% Chassin
Vineyard Yield: 1.46 t/ha, 0.95 hl/ha, 0.33 kg/vine
Production: 275 cases (12) produced
Bottling Date: February 2020
Release date: April 2021
Acknowledgements:
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2019 – 5 stars, Platter’s Wine Guide 2020
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2019 - 96, South African Report 2020,
Tim Atkin, MW
Ridge
Alcohol: 13.25 %
Acid: 5.8g/l
pH: 3.43
Residual Sugar: 3.1 g/l
Wooding: 24% New, 23% 2018, 32% 2017, 21% 2016 - 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 11 months
Coopers: 36% Francois Freres, 44% Mercurey, 20% Chassin
Vineyard Yield: 1.46 t/ha, 0.95 hl/ha, 0.33 kg/vine
Production: 275 cases (12) produced
Bottling Date: February 2020
Release date: April 2021
Acknowledgements:
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2019 – 5 stars, Platter’s Wine Guide 2020
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2019 - 96, South African Report 2020,
Tim Atkin, MW
2019 Growing Season
The 2018 harvest was in line with the normal timing that we are used to in the Hemel-en-Aarde, with harvest kicking off in the first week of February. With extremely low yields and light bunches coupled with tiny berries, with slightly more perfume and opulence than 2017 – in all, wines with poise, elegance and layered concentration showcasing their sense of place.
Vrede
Alcohol: 13.77 %
Acid: 5.8g/l
pH: 3.41
Residual Sugar: 3.2 g/l
Wooding: 25% 2018, 22% 2017, 28% 2016, 25% 2015 - 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 11 months
Coopers: 50% Francois Freres, 47% Mercurey, 3% Chassin
Vineyard Yield: 3.2 t/ha, 21 hl/ha, 0.73 kg/vine
Production: 500 cases (12) produced
Bottling Date: January 2019
Release date: April 2020
Acknowledgements:
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2018 - 96, South African Report 2019, Tim Atkin, MW
Ridge
Alcohol: 13.77 %
Acid: 5.8g/l
pH: 3.41
Residual Sugar: 3.2 g/l
Wooding: 25% 2018, 22% 2017, 28% 2016, 25% 2015 - 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 11 months
Coopers: 50% Francois Freres, 47% Mercurey, 3% Chassin
Vineyard Yield: 3.2 t/ha, 21 hl/ha, 0.73 kg/vine
Production: 500 cases (12) produced
Bottling Date: January 2019
Release date: April 2020
Acknowledgements:
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2018 - 96, South African Report 2019, Tim Atkin, MW
2018 Growing Season:
After a particularly early 2016 vintage, the 2017 vintage was more in line with the normal timing that we are used to in the Hemel-en-Aarde, harvest starting only slightly earlier than our long-time average. A warm December, a cool January and a warmer February, coupled with cool nights, were beneficial during the ripening stages. These conditions afforded good colour and flavour development while preserving acidity. 2017 was an excellent vintage for us – perhaps a favourite – with poise and elegance and layered concentration showcasing its sense of place.
Vrede
Alcohol: 13.74 %
Acid: 5.8g/l
pH: 3.45
Residual Sugar: 2.7 g/l
Wooding: 28% 2017, 23% 2016, 9% 2015, 40% 2014 - 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 11 months
Coopers: 36% Francois Freres, 64% Mercurey
Vineyard Yield: 3.0 t/ha, 20 hl/ha, 0.72 kg/vine
Production: 650 cases (12) produced
Bottling Date: January 2018
Release date: April 2019
Acknowledgements:
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2017 - 95, South African Report 2018,
Tim Atkin, MW
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2017 - 95, Chris Wilson, Decanter 2019
" The Vrede Pinot comes from an elevated vineyard site on shale soil and is very Burgundian in style but with a new world flair." Chris Wilson
2016
2017 Growing Season
The 2016 harvest was early and condensed – Storm Vrede Pinot Noir picked on 20th January, Ignis on 28th January and Ridge on 4th February. The excessive heat and extreme dry conditions (characteristic of the vintage throughout the Cape Winelands), luckily did not characterise the 2016 vintage in the Hemel-en-Aarde. The cool Atlantic ocean’s influence was particularly beneficial in this warmer vintage, yielding small, concentrated bunches with high natural acidity.
2016 - An opulent vintage with good concentration.
Vrede
Alcohol: 13.74 %
Acid: 5.8g/l
pH: 3.45
Residual Sugar: 2.9 g/l
Wooding: 25% 2016, 25% 2017, 50% 2018, 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 11 months
Coopers: 100% Francois Freres
Vineyard Yield: 3.0 t/ha, 20 hl/ha, 0.72 kg/vine
Production: 650 cases (12) produced
Bottling Date: February 2017
Release date: April 2018
Acknowledgements:
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2016 - 95, South African Report 2017,
Tim Atkin, MW
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2016 - 17 points, Jancis Robinson, MW,
Jancisrobinson.com
"Really rather Burgundian nose. Proper, well-constructed wine with a dry finish and reasonably accessible opening impressions. Really very exciting and palate-gripping with quite enough ripe fruit. Long. Bravo!" Jancis Robinson MW
2016 Growing Season
The 2015 vintage was exceptional and will be remembered as one of the driest and earliest in years with harvest starting two weeks earlier than usual. Despite the dry conditions, lower than average maximum temperatures were experienced during the ripening and harvesting phases in the Hemel-en-Aarde. Compact bunches, small berries, fresh natural acidity, fine grained tannins, full, opulent and concentrated are words that describe the 2015 vintage.
Vrede
Alcohol: 13.80 %
Acid: 5.9 g/l
pH: 3.48
Residual Sugar: 3.1 g/l
Wooding: 25% 2015, 25% 2016, 50% 2017 - 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 11 months
Coopers: 100% Francois Freres
Vineyard Yield: 3.0 t/ha, 20 hl/ha, 0.66 kg/vine
Production: 650 cases (12) produced
Bottling Date: January 2016
Release date: April 2017
Acknowledgements:
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2015 - 95, South African Report 2016, Tim Atkin, MW
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2015 - 92, Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2015- 95, Laura Buzzeo Wine Enthusiast- Editors’ Choice.
"There’s an herbal edge right up front on the nose of this wine, with some earthy foliage, raw cocoa nib and fresh-tilled dirt aromas
that are amply supported by a fruity core of red cherry flesh, plum, wild strawberry and raspberry. The bright palate offers beautiful minerality, as pristine, pure red-fruit flavors are coupled with a saline burst on the mid palate and through the close. Fine tannins lend a subtle structure. It’s well balanced,focused and precise, a gorgeous wine that is hard to resist now and should evolve well through 2028." Laura Buzzeo
2015 Growing Season
The 2015 vintage was exceptional and will be remembered as one of the driest and earliest in years with harvest starting two weeks earlier than usual. Despite the dry conditions, lower than average maximum temperatures were experienced during the ripening and harvesting phases in the Hemel-en-Aarde. Compact bunches, small berries, fresh natural acidity, fine grained tannins, full, opulent and concentrated are words that describe the 2015 vintage.
Vrede
Alcohol: 13.80 %
Acid: 5.9 g/l
pH: 3.48
Residual Sugar: 3.1 g/l
Wooding: 25% 2015, 25% 2016, 50% 2017 - 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 11 months
Coopers: 100% Francois Freres
Vineyard Yield: 3.0 t/ha, 20 hl/ha, 0.66 kg/vine
Production: 650 cases (12) produced
Bottling Date: January 2016
Release date: April 2017
Acknowledgements:
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2015 - 95, South African Report 2016, Tim Atkin, MW
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2015 - 92, Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2015- 95, Laura Buzzeo Wine Enthusiast- Editors’ Choice.