2023 Creation Estate Reserve Chardonnay

Type of Wine | White |
---|---|
Country | South Africa |
Region | |
Appellation | Hemel en Aarde Vallei |
Winery | |
Vintage | 2023 |
Grape | |
Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
Drink window | 2024 - 2036 |
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Description
A single vineyard Chardonnay from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Thanks to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, this part of the region enjoys the necessary cooling. This gives the grapes time to ripen and retain their fresh acidity. A textbook example of Chardonnay, in which the buttery tones are balanced by a mineral freshness. The Reserve Chardonnay of 2017 has a good nose. The Chardonnay starts with a classic expression of French oak, tropical fruit, fresh, fruity fruit and delicious candied citrus fruit. In the mouth we notice the use of French oak so a bit of butter, brioche comes back. The wine is elegant and medium to full bodied with a structure that is in balance with a bright, fresh acidity, ending with a long finish. This delicious Chardonnay spent ten months in French oak barrels, 40% new and only around 10,000 bottles were produced.
About Creation Estate
When Jean-Claude (JC) and Carolyn Martin took on the challenge of starting a winery in a remote corner of the Walker Bay Wine Region in 2002, it was quite exciting. Vines had never been planted here before, but JC and Carolyn - both scions of well-known wine families - were determined and convinced of the potential of the area. Together they founded Creation Estate in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Five years later, in 2007, the first harvest took place and they equipped the cellar with the best equipment from Germany, France and Switzerland. Since then they have been working hard. Not only with their quality wines, but also the tasting room has made a name for itself.
Today, Creation Estate has 50 hectares of vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. JC and Carolyn’s philosophy for making wine is based on “enhancing the beauty of nature”. It is all about the quality of the grapes, not the tricks that can be performed in the cellar. “Winemaking is a delicate art that must be reserved in order to capture the nuances of the origin”, says JC Martin. Terroir is important at Creation Estate. Not surprisingly, because the combination of higher altitude vineyards and the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean creates a unique microclimate in Walker Bay. In addition, JC Martin works with wild yeast cells instead of commercially developed ones, read more about this on our news page.
In 2019, the township of Overstrand Hermanus in South Africa was awarded the UNESCO ‘Creative City status for Gastronomy’! This is one of only 10 cities worldwide and the first on the African continent to receive this distinction. For the winery Creation, and many other individuals and boutique producers in the region, this is a tribute to their contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
About Heaven and Earth Valley
Creation Estate is located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, a sub-area within the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It is located approximately twenty kilometres from Hermanus, the coastal town on Walker Bay that is also known as the 'whale capital' of South Africa. The Atlantic Ocean not only ensures that the whales happily bob around here, it also provides an ideal climate for wine growing. It is warm, but it rarely gets warmer than thirty degrees during the growing season. This is due to the fresh sea breeze and the fact that the vineyards of Creation Estate are slightly higher than most vineyards in the area. The grapes are given the opportunity to ripen optimally, but retain their fresh acidity thanks to the cool nights. The soil also plays an important role in this. The vineyards have a clay-derived slate soil, called Bokkeveld. It prevents water stress and makes the vines less vigorous, which in turn contributes to the slow ripening of the grapes (due to the slow release of groundwater).
In short, Creation Estate has a unique terroir in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. They know how to translate this into full, but at the same time elegant wines with ripe fruit aromas, fresh acids and a beautiful minerality.
Specifications
Type of Wine | White |
---|---|
Country | South Africa |
Region | Walker Bay |
Appellation | Hemel en Aarde Vallei |
Winery | Creation Estate |
Grape | Chardonnay |
Biological certified | No |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2023 |
Drinking as of | 2024 |
Drinking till | 2036 |
Alcohol % | 13.5 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 0.75 ltr |
Oak aging | Yes |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Promotion | Tier Price |
James Suckling rating | 91 |
Vinous rating | 92 |
Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rijk, Rond, Vol, Wit fruit |
Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard |
Professional Reviews
James Suckling
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Vinous
92
Drinking Window
2023 - 2039
From: Growing Up ‘n Getting Wiser: South Africa in 2022 (Sep 2022)
The 2021 Chardonnay Reserve comes from a single vineyard, barrel fermented at 18° Celsius and matured in 30% new oak. It has a clean and precise bouquet with citrus lemon and lemon verbena, the oak neatly integrated. There is a subtle reductive note at play. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition; a subtle nutty note lends character on the finish. A cool and classy Chardonnay.
- By Neal Martin on August 2022
Creation Wines has been one of the strongest performing wineries in Hemel-en-Aarde in recent years. I actually bumped into proprietor, Swiss-born JC Martin, when I was visiting Domaine Jacques Prieur in Burgundy last autumn. “We conduct an early harvest and pick a couple of tons intentionally early in order to impart the acidity,” he tells me. “The reds undergo a wild ferment, and the final sulphur level is around 60mg/L, which is just added after malo. As usual there are no enzymes or added tannins.” Apart from their research into leafroll virus mentioned in the main introduction, they are also investigating the wild yeast population of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay strains that thrive in cool climate conditions with the University of Stellenbosch. Tasting through their 2021s, as I found previously, their strong suit is their Chardonnays that can really excel: taut, harmonious and vivacious. The Pinot Noir and Syrah are less consistent and occasionally miss some finesse, though their Art of Pinot Noir and Emma cuvées are well worth seeking out. Finally, if visiting the winery, I thoroughly recommend staying to dine at their superb restaurant.
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Wijnhuis
When Jean-Claude (JC) and Carolyn Martin took on the challenge of starting a winery in a remote corner of the Walker Bay Wine Region in 2002, it was quite exciting. Vines had never been planted here before, but JC and Carolyn - both descendants of well-known wine families - were determined and convinced of the potential of the area. Together they founded Creation Estate in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Five years later, in 2007, the first harvest took place and they equipped the cellar with the best equipment from Germany, France and Switzerland. Since then they have been working hard. Not only with their quality wines, the tasting room has also made a name for itself.
Today, Creation Estate has 50 hectares of vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. JC and Carolyn's winemaking philosophy is based on "enhancing the beauty of nature". It is primarily about the quality of the grapes, not about the tricks that can be performed in the cellar. “Winemaking is a delicate art that must be restrained in order to capture the nuances of provenance,” said JC Martin. The terroir is important at Creation Estate. Not surprising, because the combination of higher vineyards and the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean creates a unique microclimate in Walker Bay. In addition, JC Martin works with wild yeast cells instead of commercially developed ones, read more about this on our news page.
In 2019, the municipality of Overstrand Hermanus in South Africa was awarded the status of 'Creative City status for Gastronomy' by UNESCO! This is one of only 10 cities worldwide and the first on the African continent to receive this award. For the winery Creation, and other many individuals and boutique producers from the area, this is a tribute to the contribution they make to achieving sustainable development goals.
A single vineyard Chardonnay from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Thanks to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, this part of the region enjoys the necessary cooling. This gives the grapes time to ripen and retain their fresh acidity. A textbook example of Chardonnay, in which the buttery tones are balanced by a mineral freshness. The Reserve Chardonnay of 2017 has a good nose. The Chardonnay starts with a classic expression of French oak, tropical fruit, fresh, fruity fruit and delicious candied citrus fruit. In the mouth we notice the use of French oak so a bit of butter, brioche comes back. The wine is elegant and medium to full bodied with a structure that is in balance with a bright, fresh acidity, ending with a long finish. This delicious Chardonnay spent ten months in French oak barrels, 40% new and only around 10,000 bottles were produced.
About Creation Estate
When Jean-Claude (JC) and Carolyn Martin took on the challenge of starting a winery in a remote corner of the Walker Bay Wine Region in 2002, it was quite exciting. Vines had never been planted here before, but JC and Carolyn - both scions of well-known wine families - were determined and convinced of the potential of the area. Together they founded Creation Estate in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Five years later, in 2007, the first harvest took place and they equipped the cellar with the best equipment from Germany, France and Switzerland. Since then they have been working hard. Not only with their quality wines, but also the tasting room has made a name for itself.
Today, Creation Estate has 50 hectares of vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. JC and Carolyn’s philosophy for making wine is based on “enhancing the beauty of nature”. It is all about the quality of the grapes, not the tricks that can be performed in the cellar. “Winemaking is a delicate art that must be reserved in order to capture the nuances of the origin”, says JC Martin. Terroir is important at Creation Estate. Not surprisingly, because the combination of higher altitude vineyards and the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean creates a unique microclimate in Walker Bay. In addition, JC Martin works with wild yeast cells instead of commercially developed ones, read more about this on our news page.
In 2019, the township of Overstrand Hermanus in South Africa was awarded the UNESCO ‘Creative City status for Gastronomy’! This is one of only 10 cities worldwide and the first on the African continent to receive this distinction. For the winery Creation, and many other individuals and boutique producers in the region, this is a tribute to their contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
About Heaven and Earth Valley
Creation Estate is located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, a sub-area within the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It is located approximately twenty kilometres from Hermanus, the coastal town on Walker Bay that is also known as the 'whale capital' of South Africa. The Atlantic Ocean not only ensures that the whales happily bob around here, it also provides an ideal climate for wine growing. It is warm, but it rarely gets warmer than thirty degrees during the growing season. This is due to the fresh sea breeze and the fact that the vineyards of Creation Estate are slightly higher than most vineyards in the area. The grapes are given the opportunity to ripen optimally, but retain their fresh acidity thanks to the cool nights. The soil also plays an important role in this. The vineyards have a clay-derived slate soil, called Bokkeveld. It prevents water stress and makes the vines less vigorous, which in turn contributes to the slow ripening of the grapes (due to the slow release of groundwater).
In short, Creation Estate has a unique terroir in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. They know how to translate this into full, but at the same time elegant wines with ripe fruit aromas, fresh acids and a beautiful minerality.
Type of Wine | White |
---|---|
Country | South Africa |
Region | Walker Bay |
Appellation | Hemel en Aarde Vallei |
Winery | Creation Estate |
Grape | Chardonnay |
Biological certified | No |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2023 |
Drinking as of | 2024 |
Drinking till | 2036 |
Alcohol % | 13.5 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 0.75 ltr |
Oak aging | Yes |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Promotion | Tier Price |
James Suckling rating | 91 |
Vinous rating | 92 |
Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rijk, Rond, Vol, Wit fruit |
Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard |
James Suckling
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
92
Drinking Window
2023 - 2039
From: Growing Up ‘n Getting Wiser: South Africa in 2022 (Sep 2022)
The 2021 Chardonnay Reserve comes from a single vineyard, barrel fermented at 18° Celsius and matured in 30% new oak. It has a clean and precise bouquet with citrus lemon and lemon verbena, the oak neatly integrated. There is a subtle reductive note at play. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition; a subtle nutty note lends character on the finish. A cool and classy Chardonnay.
- By Neal Martin on August 2022
Creation Wines has been one of the strongest performing wineries in Hemel-en-Aarde in recent years. I actually bumped into proprietor, Swiss-born JC Martin, when I was visiting Domaine Jacques Prieur in Burgundy last autumn. “We conduct an early harvest and pick a couple of tons intentionally early in order to impart the acidity,” he tells me. “The reds undergo a wild ferment, and the final sulphur level is around 60mg/L, which is just added after malo. As usual there are no enzymes or added tannins.” Apart from their research into leafroll virus mentioned in the main introduction, they are also investigating the wild yeast population of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay strains that thrive in cool climate conditions with the University of Stellenbosch. Tasting through their 2021s, as I found previously, their strong suit is their Chardonnays that can really excel: taut, harmonious and vivacious. The Pinot Noir and Syrah are less consistent and occasionally miss some finesse, though their Art of Pinot Noir and Emma cuvées are well worth seeking out. Finally, if visiting the winery, I thoroughly recommend staying to dine at their superb restaurant.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
When Jean-Claude (JC) and Carolyn Martin took on the challenge of starting a winery in a remote corner of the Walker Bay Wine Region in 2002, it was quite exciting. Vines had never been planted here before, but JC and Carolyn - both descendants of well-known wine families - were determined and convinced of the potential of the area. Together they founded Creation Estate in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Five years later, in 2007, the first harvest took place and they equipped the cellar with the best equipment from Germany, France and Switzerland. Since then they have been working hard. Not only with their quality wines, the tasting room has also made a name for itself.
Today, Creation Estate has 50 hectares of vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. JC and Carolyn's winemaking philosophy is based on "enhancing the beauty of nature". It is primarily about the quality of the grapes, not about the tricks that can be performed in the cellar. “Winemaking is a delicate art that must be restrained in order to capture the nuances of provenance,” said JC Martin. The terroir is important at Creation Estate. Not surprising, because the combination of higher vineyards and the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean creates a unique microclimate in Walker Bay. In addition, JC Martin works with wild yeast cells instead of commercially developed ones, read more about this on our news page.
In 2019, the municipality of Overstrand Hermanus in South Africa was awarded the status of 'Creative City status for Gastronomy' by UNESCO! This is one of only 10 cities worldwide and the first on the African continent to receive this award. For the winery Creation, and other many individuals and boutique producers from the area, this is a tribute to the contribution they make to achieving sustainable development goals.