Creation’s Triple Crown: 94+ Points for Three 2024 Wines
In Club Oenologique’s inaugural review of South African wines, British Master of Wine Victoria Mason has awarded 94+ points to three Creation wines from the 2024 vintage – wines that we are now proud to be releasing on allocation.
Introducing her comprehensive report, Mason writes: ‘My focus was on producers who have, since 2000, established their wines as some of the country’s most collectable; this meant I had the wonderful task of tasting the best of South Africa’s contemporary output – a truly world-class roll call.’
Recognising our Art of Pinot Noir 2024 (95 points), Glenn’s Chardonnay 2024 (95 points) and Art of Chardonnay 2024 (94 points), Mason says these and other Hemel-en-Aarde wines ‘invite easy comparison with grand cru Burgundy’.
To read her full tasting notes for these wines (essential reading, in our opinion), please click here.
At a fraction of the price of grand cru Burgundy, Creation’s wines represent exceptional collector value, with Mason noting (for example) that the 2020 vintage of Glenn’s Chardonnay is ‘absolutely on fire now’.
Carolyn Martin responds: ‘Glenn’s Chardonnay is a mineral-driven masterpiece that wears its oak subtly and delivers immediate complexity. But it’s not just an exceptional wine; it also represents the next generation of the Martin family’s commitment to excellence, with our son Glenn’s proper cellar involvement having begun in 2020.’
‘While Glenn’s Chardonnay showcases wild fermentation and mineral intensity, our Art of Chardonnay offers a more classic approach to the same exceptional fruit,’ adds cellarmaster Jean-Claude (JC) Martin. ‘It proves that great terroir can support multiple exceptional interpretations.’
Similarly, says JC, ‘The Art of Pinot Noir 2024 is perfect for Burgundy lovers seeking South African elegance at exceptional value, promising exceptional ageing potential.’
Creation’s triple crown achievement in the Club Oenologique review follows our recent success in Tim Atkin MW’s South Africa Special Report (see here), not only firmly establishing our place among the very finest cool-climate producers in South Africa, but also showcasing why the Hemel-en-Aarde deserves a place among the world’s finest wine appellations.
Limited Availability – Order Today
Our award-winning 2024 wines are now available on allocation in limited quantities. Given the exceptional scores they have received from both Victoria Mason MW and Tim Atkin MW, we expect strong demand.
To secure your allocation, please email shop@creationwines.com
Eight wine producers gathered around the table at The Waterside restaurant during Cape Wine last week, each representing a different story, yet united by their partnership with specialist UK wine merchants Hallgarten & Novum Wines.
Hallgarten commercial director Julian Adcock raised his glass of Cap Classique to thank the producers. ‘Eight producers, eight stories, one shared vision of bringing exceptional South African wines to the UK.’
Eight wine producers gathered around the table at The Waterside restaurant during Cape Wine last week, each representing a different story, yet united by their partnership with specialist UK wine merchants Hallgarten & Novum Wines.
These eight producers have found in each other – and in their partnership with Hallgarten – not just business relationships, but a sustainable community. ‘It’s about sharing not just our knowledge but also our passion,’ said Creation cellarmaster Jean-Claude Martin.
‘The evening perfectly embodied the theme of Cape Wine 2025 – Our Warmest Welcome – which was all about the collective spirit that makes South African wine special, one shared bottle and one shared story at a time,’ said Creation creative director Carolyn Martin.
Although rainfall in Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge was below average this winter (283 mm instead of the average 342 mm), there were enough cold units.
‘Cold units are very important for even budding, and even budding is important for even ripening of the (future) grapes,’ explains viticulturist Gerhard Bruwer.
He is delighted to report that even budding is already visible in the Chardonnay vines. ‘One can already see the inflorescence (clusters of flowers) on the shoots. What starts as a small bud in early spring grows into a cluster of tiny flowers, and each of these flowers has the potential to become a grape through the flowering process which takes place around the end of October, beginning of November.
‘We are very much in the hands of Mother Nature,’ says Gerhard, ‘but at this stage it is a very positive start to the 2026 vintage!’