Chardonnay Ridge, Storm Wines 2025

Hannes Storm’s brilliant Ridge Chardonnay uses grapes from an 18-year-old parcel that was planted with a highly unusual 8,000 plants per hectare on Bokkeveld shale soils. Subtly wooded in 29% new oak and some clay amphoras, this has the elegance and restraint of a cool site, with some texture from full malolactic, a pithy, mineral-etched core and flavours of citrus, aniseed and vanilla spice. 2027-35

Matured for 11 months in 228-litre barrels. Lemon, orchard blossom and oatmeal on the nose. Compact and dense on the palate with driving acidity and an extraordinarily long finish. Seamless and precise. Alc: 13.15%.