2023 Creation Estate Syrah Grenache

They call their place a paradise, and we understand why. Creation's vineyards are located on a plateau in the picturesque Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in the Walker Bay wine district. After harvest, the grapes are destemmed and crushed. Traditional fermentation on the skins then takes place, followed by malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. The wine undergoes oak aging for fourteen months, 25% of which is in new barrels and the rest in second- and third-year oak. A light filtration takes place before bottling to preserve as much aroma and flavor as possible. The result is a robust blend with abundant dark fruit and that characteristic Syrah peppery finish. The wine is ready to drink now, but can certainly be aged for another five to seven years.

A good Rhône wine? That's the first thing you'll think of when you think of this Creation Syrah & Grenache. The relatively cool climate and use of Syrah and Grenache grapes make this far from a typical New World wine, but rather possesses the elegance we expect from a good Rhône. The wine has a beautiful purple-red color. The nose offers intense aromas of ripe plums, black pepper, and tapenade. On the palate, the dark fruit comes forward, with supple tannins and surprisingly fresh acidity.

Harvest year 2017 - 8 (Perswijn)
Harvest year 2017 - 8.5 (DGH)

About Creation Estate

When Jean-Claude (JC) and Carolyn Martin took on the challenge of opening a winery in a remote corner of the Walker Bay Wine Region in 2002, it was quite a thrill. Vines had never been planted there before, but JC and Carolyn—both descendants of renowned wine families—were determined and convinced of the area's potential. Together, they founded Creation Estate in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Five years later, in 2007, they harvested their first wine, and equipped the cellar with the finest equipment from Germany, France, and Switzerland. Since then, they've been working hard. Not only with their quality wines, but also with their tasting room, which has made a name for itself.

Today, Creation Estate boasts 50 hectares of vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. JC and Carolyn's winemaking philosophy is based on "enhancing the beauty of nature." Their primary focus is on the quality of the grapes, not on the tricks they can perform in the cellar. "Winemaking is a delicate art that requires restraint to capture the nuances of the provenance," says JC Martin. Terroir is important at Creation Estate. This is no surprise, as the combination of elevated vineyards and the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean creates a unique microclimate in Walker Bay. JC Martin also works with wild yeasts 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 UNESCO's "Creative City for Gastronomy" status! This is one of only 10 cities worldwide and the first on the African continent to receive this distinction. For the Creation winery, 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-region within the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It's located approximately twenty kilometers from Hermanus, the coastal town on Walker Bay, also known as the "whale capital" of South Africa. The Atlantic Ocean not only ensures the whales' happy bobbing here, but also creates an ideal climate for viticulture. It's warm, but rarely exceeds thirty degrees Celsius during the growing season. This is due to the fresh sea breeze and the fact that Creation Estate's vineyards are situated slightly higher than most vineyards in the area. The grapes are given the opportunity to ripen optimally, while retaining their fresh acidity thanks to the cool nights. The soil also plays a significant role in this. The vineyards have a clay-derived slate soil called Bokkeveld. This 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 captured a unique terroir in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. They translate this into full-bodied yet elegant wines with ripe fruit aromas, crisp acidity, and a beautiful minerality.
FACT: In the "Attachments" tab, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order it. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount . You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others, via the links next to the image. This is a free service for our customers.

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