Hester Creek Estate Winery 2009 Pinot Blanc - 87pts

Hester Creek Estate Winery 2009 Pinot Blanc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 13.8%
Date Tasted: February 4th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Delicate floral notes greet you on the nose of this lovely and well-priced Pinot Blanc from Hester Creek followed by baked apple, stonefruit and herbaceous aromas. The hot 2009 growing season produced amble sugar in the grapes which for this Pinot Blanc has been mostly fermented, leaving only a touch of residual sugar and loads of juicy, citrus fruit flavours. The balance is slightly hot, lacking a bit of acidity to match the fullness from the alcohol and fruit. However, the wine is supremely tasty and fun to drink - especially on a hot, sunny deck with good company. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink 2011-2012.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Hester Creek Estate Winery 2009 Semillon-Chardonnay - 86pts

Hester Creek Estate Winery 2009 Semillon-Chardonnay (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: February 4th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Folks looking for an off-dry white that offers decent complexity and pairs well with rich food need look no further. The Hester Creek Semillon-Chardonnay is such a wine delivering melon, apple, flint, pear and tropical fruit characters in spade. Whilst doing so at the exceptional price of $15.99! Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink 2011-2012.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Hester Creek Estate Winery 2008 Reserve Cabernet Franc - 90pts

Hester Creek Estate Winery 2008 Reserve Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $25.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 4th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Hester Creek consistently produce one of the Provinces top Cabernet Franc each year and the 2008 vintage is no exception. Classic Cabernet Franc funkiness on the nose is elevated by gorgeous red and dark berry aromas. The complex, dry palate offers a plethora of fruit and savoury characters with a juicy texture that signs in the mouth. This wine is very well balanced matching the tannin, acid and texture expertly resulting in a Cabernet Franc that is both fun and challenging to drink. The long finish offers lingering spice. Ready to drink now. 2011-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Hester Creek Estate Winery 2007 The Judge - 89pts

Hester Creek Estate Winery 2007 The Judge (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $45
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 4th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Hester Creek's first foray into the land of premium Meritage wines results in a well made and easy drinking blend of Bordeaux varietals. Herbaceous on the medium intense nose with dark berry, spice and toasted oak aromas. The dry palate is very smooth with dark fruit characters and savoury notes from a lengthy oak treatment. Ready to drink now, however, lingering astringency on the moderate finish should mellow with further cellaring. Drink mid-2011-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Hester Creek Estate Winery 2005 Reserve Merlot - 88pts

Hester Creek Estate Winery 2005 Reserve Merlot (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Older vintage. Direct from winery.
Cost: $27.99
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: 820 cases
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This dark-ruby, 2005 vintage Merlot from Golden Mile Bench producer Hester Creek Estate Winery has aged well, showing no signs of a tired wine past its prime. A medium intense, developing bouquet of dark fruit, vanilla, pencil shavings and cedar aromas greet you on the nose. The dry, bold palate follows with developed flavours of blueberry, leather, toasted oak, vanilla, plum and bitter, dark chocolate.

Medium-plus tannins have rounded nicely with age (don't we all) and provide good structure to this tasty Merlot. Full, but not weighty with a moderate finish. Pair with roasted lamb. Drink now through 2013.
 - Liam Carrier