Creation’s 2024 releases of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge have just earned a powerful endorsement from London-based Master of Wine Greg Sherwood, who describes Creation as ‘leading the quality charge’ with these premium cool-climate wines. His latest article places the 2024s firmly in the realm of world-class fine wine, with particular excitement around the new Pinot Noir bottlings.
A new benchmark on the Ridge
Sherwood’s message is clear: Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge has become one of South Africa’s most exciting addresses for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and he sees Creation at the forefront of this evolution. Drawing on the estate’s elevated vineyards, ancient shale- and quartz-derived soils and strong maritime influence, he describes the 2024s as wines of tension, clarity and precision rather than power for its own sake. For Creation, this is a key validation of a long-term commitment to cool-climate viticulture, virus-free vineyards and a terroir-first approach to both varieties.
2024 Pinot Noir: leading the charge
In the 2024 lineup, it is the Pinot Noirs that Sherwood singles out as especially thrilling. He highlights their luminosity of fruit, with vivid red cherry, cranberry and wild strawberry notes layered over savoury detail, spice and a distinct mineral line that anchors the wines firmly to the Ridge. Fine, chalky tannins and bright natural acidity give the 2024 Pinots a sense of energy and focus, while careful use of whole-bunch fermentation adds aromatic lift and structure without overshadowing purity.
Sherwood notes that these are Pinots that no longer need to be described as ‘good for South Africa’ but can stand confidently in any international lineup. For Creation, this reinforces the message that decades of site selection, clonal work and meticulous farming on the Ridge are now translating into Pinot Noirs with both immediate charm and serious ageing potential.
2024 Chardonnay: cool-climate poise
The 2024 Chardonnays, too, earn high praise for their classical restraint and sense of place. Sherwood emphasises their brightness and line: citrus and white stone fruit framed by saline, almost seashell-like minerality and subtle layers of oak that support rather than dominate. Wild fermentations, sensitive bâtonnage and a careful balance of new and seasoned French oak contribute to a texture he describes as refined and seamless, with each cuvée expressing a slightly different nuance of altitude, aspect and soil.
These are Chardonnays, he suggests, that speak as much of Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge as of the grape itself – wines built on freshness, length and stony definition, with the capacity to evolve gracefully over a decade or more.
What this means for Creation’s friends
For guests, collectors and trade partners, Sherwood’s article offers an independent, international confirmation of what many have sensed in the glass: Creation’s Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge are entering a new phase of precision and recognition. The 2024 vintage captures a balance of purity, elegance and depth that aligns perfectly with the estate’s philosophy of ‘less noise, more terroir’ – wines that reflect ancient geology, cool Atlantic breezes and biodiversity in every sip.
The 2024 releases are therefore not just new vintages; they are a statement of intent for the decade ahead. Limited in volume but limitless in ambition, they invite you to experience Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge at a moment when its voice has never been clearer.
Creation Art of Chardonnay 2024 – 96+ points
Creation Glenn’s Chardonnay 2024 – 96 points
Creation Art of Pinot Noir 2024 – 96 points
Creation Emma’s Pinot Noir 2024 – 95+ points
To read Greg’s full report and tasting notes, please click here.
To purchase these wines, please click here.