2021 Storm Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Pinot Noir Vrede comes from north-facing slopes, which are the warmest sites of Storm’s vineyards. Pale ruby with classic tart cherry and potpourri aromas, the nose is floral with gorgeous crunchy red fruit essences. Medium-bodied and with 13.6% alcohol, the palate is pure, expressive and layered with fine-grained tannins. It glides to a long, spicy, elegant finish. It's an absolutely impressive Pinot Noir that will make you do a double take and have you collecting this beautiful South African Pinot Noir in no time. Over 2,000 bottles were produced after aging in 25% new French oak for 11 months. Bravo, I want more!
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Pinot Noir Vrede includes 20% whole bunches, aged in used Burgundy barrels for 11 months. The nose has wild strawberry and cranberry scents with hints of pressed rose petals. The medium-bodied palate has edgy tannins, is very linear with a lot of piquancy, and is tightly wound on the saline finish. It may need more flesh around the bones. Yet of the three Pinot cuvées, it improves and coheres the most, and lo and behold, it ends up my favorite of the trio this year.
Yields were 0.39 kg/vine. 11 months in 228-litre French oak barrels, 25% new. TA 5.8 g/l, pH 3.54, RS 3.1 g/l. 4,116 bottles produced. A captivating nose; like roses in the early morning after a rainstorm. Soaring out the glass. The fruit is sweet and precise and vibrating with energy. Kumquat, then strawberry, then wild herbs. Perfumed and long. (TC)
Very cool vintage. Vineyard-designated wines (from rented blocks that they farm themselves) like this are still a rarity for Cape Pinot. From a steep, north-east-facing slope with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil. Clones 115 and 113 (50/50). 25% new oak. This is the 10th vintage: planted in 2008 with first vintage 2012. Very pale ruby. Smells pretty ripe but excellent acidity. Just a little metallic note on the end. (JR)