Creation Wines – Pinot Noir, Cape South Coast – 2021

Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
It was in 2002, that Swiss-born winemaker Jean-Claude Martin and his South African wife, Carolyn discovered their little piece of paradise on the cool-climate, Hemel-enAarde Ridge of South Africa’s acclaimed Walker Bay. Here, in one of the most biodiverse regions on earth, virus-free vines climb the steep foothills of Babylonstoren Mountain, flourishing in ancient quartzite and clay-rich soils, cooled by breezes from the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Nature is the very inspiration and innovation that is Creation. Their winemaking philosophy of ‘expressing the beauty of nature’ embraces sustainability to produce a distinctive portfolio of terroir-reflective and site-specific fine wines, notably from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. As WWF Champions and Carbon Heroes, it is their intention to secure their natural heritage for future generations. Their deep-rooted sense of social responsibility has seen talented young people from surrounding communities become highly skilled team members. Their wines receive world-wide acclaim, and Creation was named No 1 in Africa and No 4 globally at the 2023 World’s Best Vineyards Awards.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The Pinot Noir blocks are planted on flat vineyards, which lend warmer conditions, ideal for Pinot Noir. The vines are planted in north-south and east-west row directions, at an altitude of between 205 and 245 metres. The influence of the Atlantic Ocean’s Benguela current brings cooling south-easterly breezes to the area, as do clouds hemmed in by the surrounding mountains, trapping cool air and moisture in the narrow Hemel-en-Aarde. The soils consist of clay loam derived from decomposed 450-millionyear-old Bokkeveld shale. The 7-wire Perold trellis system is used to train the vines as it is the most suited to the terroir. The farming methods aim to work hand-in-hand with nature to ensure healthy soils. Organic fertilisers are used, cover crops are planted for weed control, putting back minerals and for better water retention in soil, as there is less influence from the sun. Mechanical weed control is used instead of herbicides and the grapes are manually harvested during the cool of the morning.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
20% of the fruit was vinified as whole bunch. Spontaneous fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. The wine was matured for 10 months in 10% new French oak and the remainder second and third-fill barrels.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
An intensely fragrant Pinot Noir where the melange of red berries and a whiff of wood spice are complemented by earthy mushroom. Supple and smooth with a long, memorable finish.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Pinot Noir 100%.