New find: Creation Wines
Perched high on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge.
You climb and climb the hill from the coastal path, past other well-known wineries, and eventually, at the very top of the hill, you see the signpost, ‘Creation’.
Until earlier this month, this winery had not featured on my radar. Now I suspect it will have permanent shelf-space in my cellar. The four wines covered here are those we tasted at the winery, amongst a few others, and I had these delivered for further evaluation once back in Hampshire.
Located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge region, it is the highest and coldest ward in this tall landscape, just outside Hermanus. 400 meters in elevation. Facing south and east. The Babylonstoren Mountains act as a cloud trap, collecting moisture and providing regular shade. Creation planted its first vines around 20 years ago.
Not only do they create wines - see notes below - but the food in their winery is most definitely worth a visit.
Their wines are distributed in UK through their own website.
2022 Creation Roussanne Grenache Blanc
You might feel that this combination of 50:50 Roussanne and Grenache Blanc could replicate some of the excellent rich whites being produced in the Northern Rhône. However, there is a distinct richness here that is somewhat deeper. But not just depth. There is elegance combined with crisply tense acidity that builds over the creamy middle palate and sits, and then sits. Food springs to mind and it needs fully fledged sea bass, punchy chicken with plenty of cream and mushrooms, or rich pasta with a complicated tomato sauce. At £22, this is exceptional value.
2022 Creation The Art of Chardonnay
30% new oak, 70% second-fill, left on lees for 11 months. Very pronounced on the nose with green apples, lime, and grapefruit. Concentration on the palate, but with refined nuances and an almost savoury component. World class, subtle, focused with serious length. The oak is tempered with the zesty, integrated acidity. Best Chardonnay I tasted on a recent trip to South Africa amongst a few dozen others? Unquestionably. £65.
2022 Creation Reserve Pinot Noir
These two Pinots are magic. The first priced at £32 is the deal of the century. You simply will not find anything in Europe nor North America that delivers better value-for-money. Tasting all of these wines back in England with a few friends, they all shone. New oak has given this Reserve a distinct element of vanilla on the nose combined with wild strawberries and roses. Nuts, rich red fruits, with plums leading the way on the extended palate. Yes, you could drink it now, but buy a case and sit it aside for at least five years. Then open while you are serving lamb over Sunday lunch. It will generate accolades from your guests and your smile will broaden as you work your way through this wonderfully crafted wine. £32.
2022 Creation The Art of Pinot Noir
They’ve only made 5,000 bottles. In Oregon and California last July I tasted dozens of Pinots and this is up there amongst the finest you can find on the West Coast. I could add superlative after superlative, but there is no need. It is simply outstanding. Serving this in 5 years time you will reflect that how could a wine of this quality be made for such a reasonable, relatively speaking, price. However, really rather difficult not to enjoy today once the wine is sitting in your hall. £65.
