Storm
About Storm
A relatively recent addition to the South African wine scene, having only released its first vintage in 2014, Storm Wines has become one of the most celebrated Pinot producers in the Cape in just a few short years. While working under his label for a short period, founder and winemaker Hannes Storm is extremely experienced with growing Burgundian varietals in this part of the world, as he used to be the head winemaker at the legendary Hamilton Russell Vineyards.
Situated on the shale soils of the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge just outside Hermanus, Storm benefit from a magical combination of climate, terroir and exceptional vineyards. Influenced by the cool Atlantic Ocean, it is considered an exceptional cool-climate winegrowing region.

Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£249.89 |
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Cape South Coast | 2 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£256.84 |
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Vinous (92)The 2016 Ridge Pinot Noir comes from vines located at 325 meters, the highest that Hannes Storm farms, east-facing with a prevailing southeasterly wind that creates a cooler site and longer hangtime. It was matured in 25% new oak for 11 months. It is more youthful in appearance compared to the Ignis, the nose very cohesive with black cherry, raspberry preserve, crushed stone and light wilted rose petal aromas. The fresh, poised palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity and perhaps the edgiest tannins of Storm’s 2016s. Long with a touch of spice on the finish, this is an excellent Pinot Noir. It’s a shame only 250 cases were produced. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£232.84 |
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Cape South Coast | 10 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£270.29 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)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. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£92.65 |
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Vinous (94)The 2021 Chardonnay Ridge is located on a vineyard that ripens two to three weeks later the Vrede due to the higher elevation. It is slightly more backward on the nose with scents of dried honey and grilled walnut, the 25% new oak neatly integrated. The palate is well balanced with a touch of orange rind and peach on the entry, very cohesive with a gorgeous, slightly reduced finish that feels long, hints of Conference pear lingering on the aftertaste. Excellent. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£247.24 |
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Tim Atkin MW (94)Hannes Storm's whites have shifted up a gear in 2022 and are fast approaching the same level as his lauded Pinot Noirs. This stylish Chardonnay showcases grapes from a south-east facing parcel at 330 metres on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Fermented in a combination of 32% new barrels and 10% clay amphoras, it's a chiselled, pithy, focused white with lots of zip, lemongrass and orange zest flavours and subtle aromatic spices. |
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Cape South Coast | 3 | - |
Inc. VAT
£270.29 |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£224.69 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)As its name suggests, this hails from a cool shale site on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, planted as recently as 2009. It combines the density of Vrede with the perfume of Ignis, making it Hannes Storm’s most complete Pinot, with floral scents, red cherry and raspberry fruit, savoury tannins and focused acidity. |
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Cape South Coast | 5 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£270.29 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)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. |
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Cape South Coast | 3 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£278.44 |
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Tim Atkin MW (94)The Vrede Chardonnay uses grapes from the same site in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley as the Pinot Noir of the same name. Made with the popular CY95 clone, this shows none of the heat of the 2022 vintage, reflecting the subtlety of Hannes Storm's winemaking. Sappy, mineral and refreshing, it combines scented 25% new oak with citrus, oatmeal and pear flavours and a lingering finish. |
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Cape South Coast | 2 | 95+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£270.29 |
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Wine Advocate (95+)The Storm 2023 Hemel-En-Aarde Valley Chardonnay Vrede comes from a site a mere 1.3 kilometers from the cool Atlantic Ocean. "This is a big wine in a small package," says winemaker and proprietor Hannes Storm. It reveals tight phenolic grip and a richer style with citrus marmalade and yellow orchard fruits. You practically taste salt crystals on thickened grape skins. It offers terrific length thanks to that extra structure, finishes dry and closes with flinty mineral sensations. The 2023 vintage was rainy. Hannes Storm harvested on a Friday, and a heavy storm the next day dropped five inches of rain, causing flooding and visible erosion in the surrounding mountains. |
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Cape South Coast | 10 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£268.74 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)Now including 20% of the 777 clone, alongside its habitual 115 base, Vrede comes from red clay soils with a high iron component. Seductively perfumed, this stunning red has fine tannins, fleshy, opulent flavours of strawberry and redcurrant, finely judged 35% new wood and undertones of rose petal and forest floor. One of the greatest ever Cape Pinot Noirs. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
1 | - |
In Bond
£189.00 |
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|
Cape South Coast | 2 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
£198.00 |
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Vinous (92)The 2016 Ridge Pinot Noir comes from vines located at 325 meters, the highest that Hannes Storm farms, east-facing with a prevailing southeasterly wind that creates a cooler site and longer hangtime. It was matured in 25% new oak for 11 months. It is more youthful in appearance compared to the Ignis, the nose very cohesive with black cherry, raspberry preserve, crushed stone and light wilted rose petal aromas. The fresh, poised palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity and perhaps the edgiest tannins of Storm’s 2016s. Long with a touch of spice on the finish, this is an excellent Pinot Noir. It’s a shame only 250 cases were produced. |
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|
Cape South Coast | 1 | - |
In Bond
£178.00 |
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|
Cape South Coast | 10 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£206.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)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. |
|||||||||
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£74.00 |
|||||
Vinous (94)The 2021 Chardonnay Ridge is located on a vineyard that ripens two to three weeks later the Vrede due to the higher elevation. It is slightly more backward on the nose with scents of dried honey and grilled walnut, the 25% new oak neatly integrated. The palate is well balanced with a touch of orange rind and peach on the entry, very cohesive with a gorgeous, slightly reduced finish that feels long, hints of Conference pear lingering on the aftertaste. Excellent. |
|||||||||
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
£190.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (94)Hannes Storm's whites have shifted up a gear in 2022 and are fast approaching the same level as his lauded Pinot Noirs. This stylish Chardonnay showcases grapes from a south-east facing parcel at 330 metres on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Fermented in a combination of 32% new barrels and 10% clay amphoras, it's a chiselled, pithy, focused white with lots of zip, lemongrass and orange zest flavours and subtle aromatic spices. |
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|
Cape South Coast | 3 | - |
In Bond
£206.00 |
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|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£168.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)As its name suggests, this hails from a cool shale site on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, planted as recently as 2009. It combines the density of Vrede with the perfume of Ignis, making it Hannes Storm’s most complete Pinot, with floral scents, red cherry and raspberry fruit, savoury tannins and focused acidity. |
|||||||||
|
Cape South Coast | 5 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£206.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)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. |
|||||||||
|
Cape South Coast | 3 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
£216.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (94)The Vrede Chardonnay uses grapes from the same site in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley as the Pinot Noir of the same name. Made with the popular CY95 clone, this shows none of the heat of the 2022 vintage, reflecting the subtlety of Hannes Storm's winemaking. Sappy, mineral and refreshing, it combines scented 25% new oak with citrus, oatmeal and pear flavours and a lingering finish. |
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|
Cape South Coast | 2 | 95+ (WA) |
In Bond
£206.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95+)The Storm 2023 Hemel-En-Aarde Valley Chardonnay Vrede comes from a site a mere 1.3 kilometers from the cool Atlantic Ocean. "This is a big wine in a small package," says winemaker and proprietor Hannes Storm. It reveals tight phenolic grip and a richer style with citrus marmalade and yellow orchard fruits. You practically taste salt crystals on thickened grape skins. It offers terrific length thanks to that extra structure, finishes dry and closes with flinty mineral sensations. The 2023 vintage was rainy. Hannes Storm harvested on a Friday, and a heavy storm the next day dropped five inches of rain, causing flooding and visible erosion in the surrounding mountains. |
|||||||||
|
Cape South Coast | 10 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
£206.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (97)Now including 20% of the 777 clone, alongside its habitual 115 base, Vrede comes from red clay soils with a high iron component. Seductively perfumed, this stunning red has fine tannins, fleshy, opulent flavours of strawberry and redcurrant, finely judged 35% new wood and undertones of rose petal and forest floor. One of the greatest ever Cape Pinot Noirs. |