Prepare to do a double-take and check the label after you have tasted this wine, because the flavours are so taut and flinty that you might expect to see the word “Puligny-Montrachet” emblazoned across the front, but it has the marginally less renowned “Hemel-en-Aarde”. This is a brilliant vintage of the ‘Vrede’ Chardonnay from Hannes Storm, a wine which, unlike us, can hold its own in the very loftiest company. It’s fine and focused with a silky texture and delicious lemon, lime and almond croissant flavours. 13% alc. Drink now-2035.

Press review:

Tim Atkin MW: “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“ 95 points