Tuesday, February 20, 2024

A visit to Creation

 A visit to Creation while we are in the Hemel and Aarde valley is almost a given and,
because one of the farms we had planned to visit was surprisingly closed,
we ventured back to what is one of our favourite wine farms

Although it was quite late in the Sunday afternoon, we found that Carolyn Martin was still there and she was kind enough to come and sit with us and chat. She arranged some special tastings, for which we are always grateful. She told us that they are doing so much research working with scientists on the vineyards re the future with global warming and studying different methods of canopy management, row direction and methods of planting
Having won several prestigious Wine Tourism awards in the past few years,
Carolyn and JC Martin have added another to these accolades
Creation Wines received the award for World's Best Brand Experience
at the international inaugural V d’or Business Awards
during Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2024 on 11th February 2024

Such a treat on a hot summer afternoon to have beautiful, crisp Creation 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
in the proper glass
It is Lynne's favourite expression of South African white wine, the Semillon adds to much to the blend
This is a classic with great elegance, green notes on the beautiful aromatic nose,
which follows through on the very satisfying palate which is green, crisp and so refreshing,
with good length, minerality and the classic fatness on the palate from the Semillon. Special

A wine so suited to warmer climes and a warm afternoon is the Creation 2022 blend of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc,
from southern Mediterranean varietals
Melon skin on the nose, Crisp and full and enjoyable with layers of plum, lime and loquat. A food wine

Creation 2022 Reserve Chardonnay has golden fruit, citrus and herbal notes on the nose
Lovely lime and lemon notes with chalk and minerality on the wide open Chardonnay flavours and lively acidity

And then the top of the Creation tree
The  flagship Art of Chardonnay from a single site
It is very complex and French on the nose, with some perfume and warm citrus
On the palate, so expressive; more layers of warm citrus with greengage and tart melon,
long, long flavours, calling for food
Wood is there supporting, but so integrated. Wins awards deservedly. 5 star in Platter

Carolyn with one of their beautiful wines, the Art of Pinot Noir

Creation The Art of Pinot Noir 2022
Gentle on the nose at first, then it opens up with the best cherry and raspberry fruit
Incense wood and great elegance enchant
Red velvet on the palate, the cherry and raspberry fruit are supported by chalky tannins
and the flavours linger for a long time
Superb. One to drink now and also to keep for the future reward

Creation Reserve Pinot Noir 2022 has perfume, vanilla oak and herbal notes on the nose
Red cherry, black cherry and bing cherry chime on the palate, followed by toasty oak notes. Superb

Good glasses show the wines at their best

The Reserve Syrah 2021 is complex, integrated with white pepper, maraschino cherry and incense wood
with a hint of bacon on the end, and that is just the nose
Another rounded fruit bomb with layers of red fruit and good acidity and wood to support it and add texture
We also enjoyed the exiting Syrah Grenache blend (Grenache being a special favourite varietal)
Attractive on the nose with perfume and lots of fruit with pomegranate, mulberry and cherry featuring
Spicy, long, some savouriness and very moreish

And, finally, a taste of the new 2022 Creation Port, a classic made from 100% Syrah
Hand-harvested, 110g/l sugar. Fortified with high quality brandy up to 18% alcohol
It spends 18 months in second and third-fill French oak barrels
It is heady and full of the mature fruit flavours you want from a good Port
Has the potential to age well, if you can keep it that long, it's very tempting
And it was served with a dessert - a berry sorbet, a crema swirl, blueberries, raspberry and an interesting sauce of turmeric

Delicious Friandise confectionary treats to finish a wonderful tasting. We were royally spoiled. Thank you Carolyn


All our stories can be seen in the Blog Archive near the top of the column on the right

If you do not wish to receive e-mails from us, please email menucape@gmail.com with the word 'UNSUBSCRIBE' in your email

at

No comments:

Post a Comment