Storm Hemel-En-Aarde Ridge Chardonnay Ridge 2024

Description

The Storm 2023 Hemel-En-Aarde Ridge Chardonnay Ridge is a lovely wine with white pear, citrus, honeydew melon and crushed stone. Fruit comes from a southeastern slope planted in 2007. There is a wild character that reminds me of mountain herb or crushed white peppercorn. The juice sees a few hours of skin contact with a native yeast fermentation in clay amphora and Burgundian oak barrel (with 20% new oak). Malolactic fermentation is completed, and bâtonnage is limited to once a month. This Chardonnay reveals an exceptionally clean quality that accentuates its mineral character and its special wildness. This is an annual production of roughly 5,500 bottles. Wine Advocate 94 (2023)