Pinot Noir. The Prince of Reds

The 18th of August is International Pinot Noir Day and at Creation this will once again be a highlight on our calendar.

Pinot Noir is of course Cellarmaster Jean-Claude (JC) Martin’s favourite cultivar. He loves drinking it, he loves growing it and he loves making it! Small wonder there are no less than four award-winning Pinot Noirs in our portfolio, the quality of which inspired Greg Sherwood MD to write that Creation has ‘cracked the enigma code for great Pinot Noir in South Africa’ a while back.

JC maintains that the success of his Pinot Noir rests on the quality of the grapes. “We were blessed to have started with a virgin piece of land, a sheep farm, never planted to vines before. I was therefore able to carefully select Pinot Noir clones best suited to the terroir and on the right rootstock, using virus-free material. Our Pinot Noir vines are now nearly 20 years old and as our vineyards mature so the quality of the grapes becomes better and better. To the point that since 2017 there has been very little intervention in the winemaking process. Today we merely enhance the beauty of nature.”

I personally like to describe Pinot Noir as an aristocrat, the Prince of Reds. Pinot at its best is an elegant and multi-faceted wine offering intriguing complexity and depth. It has the texture and intensity one would typically expect from a heavily structured wine, yet a truly fine Pinot Noir is delicate and easy to drink. It doesn’t cause the palate fatigue sometimes experienced when drinking a heavy red wine. In fact, once you’ve had the pleasure of enjoying the finesse of a well- made Pinot Noir, it is hard to get excited about bolder wines.

Our acclaimed Creation Pinot Noir range includes:

The 2019 Creation Art of Pinot Noir (Prince Charming) rated 97 pts by Tim Atkin MW;

The 2019 Creation Emma’s Pinot Noir (Daddy’s Girl) rated 95 pts by Greg Sherwood MW;

The 2020 Creation Reserve Pinot Noir (Red Velvet) to be rated soon; The 2020 Creation Pinot Noir (Forever Romantic) to be rated soon.

Keeping the spotlight on our range of Pinot Noirs, Chef Jean-Albert Steyn has crafted the perfect accompaniment: Beef Shortrib, Confit Potato, Roasted Pickled Beetroot, Exotic Mushroom and Summer Truffle. This delectable dish will be available between 18 August 2021 and 22 August 2021 as an addition to our highly popular Healthy Heritage Menu. To make a reservation, click here.

Embrace our Healthy Heritage Menu

To feast your eyes and tempt your taste buds, for a perfect Pinot Noir pairing click here.

Pinot Noir Lovers, Rejoice!

In celebration of Pinot Noir Day we’ve dug deep into our wine library, assembling exceptional cases to delight your senses.

Delight One

A mixed case of Creation Reserve Pinot Noir: 2 x 2014 Vintage; 2 x 2015 Vintage; 2 x 2019 Vintage
Smooth yet complex with layers of dried fruit, hints of raspberry and piquant spice. Supple tannins ensure excellent maturation potential.

Only THREE of these mixed cases are available.

Delight Two

A mixed case of Creation Art of Pinot Noir: 2 x 2014 Vintage; 2 x 2016 Vintage; 2 x 2017 Vintage
Single-site specific and barrel selection – individually numbered bottles. Complex velvety texture, spice and perfume. The Prince of Reds at his most charming.

Only ONE case available.

Delight Three

A mixed case of 2017 Creation Art of Pinot Noir and 2017 Creation Emma’s Pinot Noir. Both wines single-site specific and barrel selection.
Creation Emma’s Pinot Noir is a collaboration between Emma and JC Martin. A serious glassful of premium Pinot Noir.