The SA Top 100, now in its third year, boasts a highly qualified panel of judges, mainly UK Masters of Wine. This year saw a record entry of 440 wines (that producers regard as their finest) and the results were announced on Thursday, 11 April at a stylish event held at Rodwell House, St James. Creation’s ‘top three’ are the Pinot Noir 2012, Pinot Noir Reserve 2012 and Syrah, Grenache 2011. Needless to say co-owner and marketing director Carolyn Martin is thrilled with this achievement. “Since the establishment of Creation in 2002, we have been the proud recipients of a growing number of sought-after accolades. To have three of our wines chosen for the highly esteemed SA Top 100 List however signifies our coming of age,” says Carolyn. “To make our achievement even more remarkable is the fact that Creation is the only winery with two 2012 red wines on the 2013 Top 100 List. This proves the amazing accessibility of our reds from an early age.” Due to their good balance between acidity and pH Creation’s reds are of course also renowned for their exceptional ageing potential. Commenting on the winning wines Creation co-owner and cellar master Jean-Claude Martin contends that Pinot Noir is the ultimate test in winemaking. He adds that Creation’s virus-free vines coupled with cooler night time temperatures and long ripening result in great fruit with excellent natural acidity. The 2012 Creation Pinot Noir shows delicate whiffs of violet with hints of raspberry and a generous pinch of spice. The gorgeously silky palate delights with lush red berry flavours beautifully balanced by lithe tannins. The 2012 Creation Pinot Noir Reserve is described as ‘a special vineyard selection’ and rewards with multiple layers of rose petal, dried apricot, cherry and spice on the nose. The luxurious, velvety palate is in harmony, also offering deep tones of spicy liquorice on the lingering aftertaste. And then there’s the 2011 Creation Syrah, Grenache. This full-bodied Rhône-style blend is richly endowed with flavours of ripe plum, black pepper, tapenade and umami. The 2012 Creation Pinot Noir and Pinot Noir Reserve can be ordered on www.creationwines.com and are available at the Creation cellar door while the 2012 Syrah, Grenache will be released in mid-May. For more information, please contact Dieter Odendaal at dieter@creationwines.com