Creation Estate is a relatively young winery located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Twenty kilometers away lies Hermanus, the coastal town on Walker Bay. It's also known as the whale watching capital of South Africa. Besides the abundance of whales that bob around, it also offers ideal conditions for winemaking. Warm days that don't exceed thirty degrees Celsius, a fresh sea breeze, and vineyards situated slightly higher than most vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde region create the ideal ingredients for quality wines. The grapes are given the opportunity to ripen optimally here, while retaining their fresh acidity thanks to the cool nights. But the soil shouldn't be overlooked. The vineyards have a clay-derived slate soil called Bokkeveld. This prevents water stress and makes the vines less vigorous, contributing to the slow ripening of the grapes. In short, Creation Estate has a unique terroir in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. And with their knowledge, passion and dedication they know how to translate this into full-bodied, elegant wines with plenty of ripe fruit aromas, fresh acidity and beautiful minerality.
Various vinification techniques are used for this special Syrah Reserve. Three-quarters of the grapes are destemmed and crushed, while the remaining grapes are placed in a whole bunch in the fermentation tank. The wine is then fermented, partly in stainless steel tanks and partly in oak barrels. The wine then undergoes a two-week maceration on the skins to enhance its structure and aromas. Finally, it is aged in oak for eighteen months. The result is this deliciously aromatic red wine from Creation. The aroma boasts an intense bouquet of berries, anise, and beautiful spice notes, with white pepper prominently present. A touch of cedarwood enhances the delightful aroma. The palate of this Creation Syrah Reserve is overwhelming. What a wonderful impression! The wine is remarkably silky smooth, despite the Syrah and the beautiful oak aging. It also reveals lovely nuances of black cherry, cloves, anise, and vanilla. The familiar pepper note is also subtly present. What a fantastic wine!
