Inspired by Nature and meticulously crafted by cellarmaster Jean-Claude Martin, each wine in Creation’s flagship Art Series is the ultimate expression of its terroir and indeed an exquisite and multifaceted artwork in its own right.
Innovation fired by passion
Charisma dancing on the breeze
Authenticity born of the earth
Memories to treasure
Inspiration to shoot for the moon
Our Creation Art of Pinot Noir 2023 is a limited-release, barrel-selected wine from a specific pocket within a single vineyard. Each bottle is individually numbered (only 6200 bottles in 2023), offering exclusivity and collectability.
Located on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, Creation’s elevation, proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, cool night index (diurnal fluctuation of 12°C) and early morning cloud cover make it possible for grapes to ripen slowly, resulting in wines with remarkable freshness and nuanced flavours. These cool-climate conditions are favourable for the development of anthocyanins.
Our Pinot Noir vines were planted virus-free on virgin land in 2003. At an altitude of 280 metres above sea level, the vineyard has various north- and east-facing aspects, with flat areas in between. The soils consist of clay and loam derived from decomposed 450-million-year-old Bokkeveld shale, with good drainage and water retention contributing to the structure and mouthfeel of the wines.
A key priority for our permanent, hands-on viticultural team is to ensure that these ancient soils stay healthy for future generations, through farming methods including the use of organic fertilisers and cover crops, mechanical weed control and hand-harvesting. Critically, the same skilled individuals in the team are responsible for pruning the vineyards, doing the suckering, and picking the grapes. ‘This handcrafted approach creates a virtual circle of quality throughout the growth period,’ says cellarmaster Jean-Claude (JC) Martin.
He reports that the 2022/2023 growing season started with good flowering conditions, which means there was not much wind. ‘It was wet in late October and early November, followed by some heatwaves in December and January, but damage was minimal thanks to good canopy management. We had 200mm of rain over the harvest period, but we managed to get all the grapes into the cellar before the big rains, and in excellent condition.’
On 12 February, grapes for our Art of Pinot Noir 2023 were hand-harvested early in the morning into small crates, two bunches deep. No additives whatsoever were needed to produce the wine, which was wild yeast fermented (60% whole bunch) in foudres, and then matured in French oak barrels (33% new wood and the rest second fill) for 12 months.
‘The Art of Pinot Noir 2023 has a touch more perfume than previous vintages,’ says JC. ‘Vineyard health and meticulous viticultural practices promote a pure expression of the grape and terroir, and growing in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions must play a role in enhancing the wine’s complexity.’
Tasting note
Utterly enchanting, a shiny pomegranate seed red. Velvety texture, complex spice, and perfume.
Terroir
Wine of Origin: Walker Bay
Appellation: Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Soil: Clay loam from decomposed Bokkeveld shale
Elevation: 287 m
Aspect: Eastern slope
Vintage
Harvest Date: 12 February 2023
Rainfall: 729 mm (1 June 2022 – 31 May 2023)
Ripening: Long ripening period
Avg Temp: 22° C
Analysis
Alcohol: 13.5 vol%
Total Acid: 5.5 g/l
pH: 3.5
Residual Sugar: 1.8 g/l
Viticulture
Single site
Trellising System: 7-wire Perold
Vine Age: 21 years
Clone: 115
Rootstock: R110