Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

What a color. Deep sanguine ruby rosé, and the wine delivers on the promise. Gorgeous nose of blood orange, spice, dried earth, red fruit skin and a little Campari fizz energy. Palate is vinous but beautifully balanced, with bitter citrus, chewy Pinot fruit, great purity and finesse. Long finish turns limey, chalky and stony. Serious saignée Champagne. Beautiful.

Day two. Wow. Wild nose, herbal and vividly raspberry, but not jammy raspberry, more early-to-mid-season raspberry, bright, tart, alive. Much more finish today. Delicious, sappy, with a long finish, good sapidity, and a nose that feels unusually expressive of place for Champagne. Serious structure, juicy as hell, and clearly built for five to seven years of aging. Dangerously close to 9.5 on day two. — 5 days ago

Philip Patston

9.3

Not as bitter as Campari, not as sweet as Aperol. It makes an excellent spritz. — 4 years ago

Will Stanley

9.4

Some wines knock you off your feet immediately, while others take time to do so. Storm Wines’ 2018 ‘Vrede’ Pinot Noir initially took a lot of examination, and changed dramatically between the hour’s decant I’d given it and the following 2-3 hours of drinking. At first, the very vibrant aromas of this young Pinot from South Africa’s esteemed Hemel-en-Arde valley were reminiscent of a pungent negroni, with a touch of Parma Violet and star anise. With time, however, these slightly confected qualities gave way to an impressive savoury bouquet of cranberry, rooibos, beef blood, iron and bitter orange (that Campari scent stuck around, and all the better for it). The palate, in this wine’s case, was even more impressive, continuing to display a savoury profile with a fabulous, zesty mouthfeel and supple tannins.

All in all, this is a beautifully fragrant, youthful PN with a bright future ahead. South Africa isn’t exactly known for its old vines (some Chenin aside), and those of Storm’s were only planted in 2008. Exciting things, then, for this winery. Everyone’s perception of value is different, but at £32/bottle here, it’s easy to recommend getting a case or two.

94+

PS. An added comment - I love the understated labels of Storm‘s wines, but I do wish they’d go back to the wax seal of previous vintages. Wax over foil every day of the week for me..! — 5 years ago

A L

9.0

Good for Negroni — 2 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

NV | Amaro that is suitable as aperitive ánd digestive. Lovely stuff. — 2 years ago

Diego Escudero

9.0

Negroni con Fam — 5 years ago

Steve Rura

9.2

Really great mixer for a Campari alternative. Less sweet, more herbaceous. Made in Bed Stuy. — 2 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Azapa benito — 2 years ago

Mike Smith

10

Campari but…better? — 4 years ago

Oliver N

9.3

Even better on day 2! Let this breathe! Forest floor/tertiary notes, pine, cedar, cocoa, plum, sweet berries, I like the Campari note that someone noted... that sort of medicinal quality!
On the palate, stemmy, upfront tannins, smooths out into an etheral expression of tart forest berries, plums, some oak, coffee bean, cocoa nib, pine/rosemary, quite savoury.
This almost reminds me of something out of Italy!
Overall, a beautiful Loire red with lots to offer. Love the savoury characteristics! Cheers! — 5 years ago