The 2020 Pinot Noir harvest will be remembered as more abundant after the challenging and extremely low-yielding 2019 vintage. Overall the year was much wetter than the previous few years - with a total annual rainfall of close to 900 mm for the Vrede vineyard for calendar year 2019. Very good rainfall during October and January alleviated the drought pressure to a great extent. Temperature wise, the vintage was cooler than 2019 and equal to the celebrated 2015 vintage.
If I may be allowed a moment of braggadocio, Tim Atkin MW described the Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2020 as; “This is a brilliant Pinot Noir that builds complexity in the glass. Opulent, spicy and perfumed, with rose petal and violet aromas, fine acidity, considerable underlying grip, savoury tannins and aging potential.” The Tim Atkin SA 2021 Special Report chimed in with “96 pts” for this one as well as five stars in Platter’s.
With the prevailing dry conditions hopefully a thing of the past, we now invite you to the three 2020 Storm Pinot Noirs. They are all special wines, partially because they are so characterful and terroir expressive, and partially because volumes are a bit up from the 2019 vintage!
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2020
Vrede Pinot Noir hails from a steep, northeast-facing slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil.
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2020 is opulent, spicy and perfumed, with rose petal and violet aromas, fine acidity, considerable underlying grip, savoury tannins and aging potential. Subtle oak compliments the clay terrior.
Production: 510 cases (12) produced
Bottling date: February 2021
Release date: April 2022
96 points, Tim Atkin MW
5 stars Platter's Guide
Storm Ignis Pinot Noir 2020
Ignis 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”.
Storm Ignis Pinot Noir 2020 is scented and beguiling with water melon and wild strawberry fruit, a hint of granitic grip, spicy oak and a refreshing finish.
Production: 540 cases (12) produced
Bottling date: February 2021
Release date: April 2022
94 points, Tim Atkin MW
5 stars Platter's Guide
Storm Ridge Pinot Noir 2020
Ridge Pinot Noir hails from a cool, eastern slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil.
Storm Ridge Pinot Noir 2020 is dense and perfumed showing floral scents, spice, red cherry and raspberry fruit, savoury tannins and focused acidity.
Production: 490 cases (12) produced
Bottling date: February 2021
Release date: April 2022
95 Points, Tim Atkin MW
This outstanding vintage was cooler than usual and two weeks later than the previous vintage – harvest commenced on the 1st of March. The winter of 2020 was wetter than usual with 150 mm more rain than our average measurement. Later than usual cold winter temperatures, coupled with a warmer January and February, contributed to optimal ripening conditions.
Sadly yields were still extremely low in the Vrede Chardonnay vineyard. These growing conditions had a profound positive impact on the quality of the vintage.
Storm Vrede Chardonnay 2021
Vrede Chardonnay – or Peace Chardonnay – hails from a northeast-facing slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil.
Storm Vrede Chardonnay 2021 is viscous, with citrus, lime, lemon and white pear. Undertones of ginger and spice, subtle wood and fresh, zesty minerality.
Production: 125 cases (12) produced
Bottling date: November 2021
Release date: April 2022
Storm Ridge Chardonnay 2021
Ridge Chardonnay hails from a cool, eastern slope on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil.
Storm Ridge Chardonnay 2021 is a classically styled expression, taught, tight and chiselled - a medley of nectarine and citrus fruit with a refreshing, persistent finish.
Production: 480 cases (12) produced
Bottling date: February 2022
Release date: April 2022