Storm Ridge Chardonnay 2023

A wine of phenomenal detail, complexity and layered richness. Juicy, succulent and luscious, with butter, honey, mandarin, fig, grapefruit, pawpaw, citrus blossom, star jasmine, crushed pineapple and macadamia. Richly textured, with savoury oak, dry extract and fleshy fruit, yet the acidity is taut, driving and beautifully tense. Like an Italian interior: sumptuous, sophisticated and somehow still light on its feet. Effortless power and purring grace, with flavours that keep driving long after the wine has left the palate. Thoroughly irresistible. One of the great New World Chardonnays, pushing grandeur to delicious new limits.

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. Drink 2024-2035. 94 points, Monica Larner – Wine Advocate

The Ridge Chardonnay is a vibrant, high-energy wine bursting with immediate notes of white flowers, green apples and poached pears. There is a light, subtle smokiness in the background but this is all about the fruit at this early stage. The palate is driven and very fine, with layers of green, yellow and orange fruit all on show. A tensile wine that effortlessly gives a sense of place, this is full of youthful verve and will likely be even better with another 6 months in bottle. 450 cases produced. 93+ points, Thomas Parker MW

The 2023 Chardonnay Ridge was hand-picked and vinified with 20% whole bunch. It went through 100% malo and matured for 11 months in French oak, including 8% in clay amphora. This has a bright and lively bouquet with lemon balm, linden and light crushed stone aromas. The palate is well balanced with a smooth texture, presenting touches of tangerine and citrus peel. There is a subtle candied element on the finish that I like. Very appealing. Drink 2024-2032. 91 points, Neil Martin – Vinous

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