This spring we were fortunate to spend several days at Hester Creek Villas. We enjoyed the Oliver vineyard landscape and the local food and wines – Hester Creek for Wine, Accommodation and Dining.
So we were looking forward to tasting the new red wines released by Hester Creek this fall.
Before going to the tasting notes, here is the background on the growing seasons for the two vintages.
Harvest 2019
The 2019 grape growing season in the Oliver and Osoyoos region was one of remarkable variability, with fluctuating conditions in the winter and fall, and a beautifully balanced summer. Overall Growing Degree Days (GDD) were 1598, above the 20 year average of 1474. Seasonally averaged temperatures with few heat spikes in the summer resulted in an even growing season.
The temperatures in September were somewhat warmer than usual, however, we experienced more precipitation than normal. Harvest started September 3 with the last of our white grapes picked on October 2. Our Merlot harvest was completed shortly thereafter, with the last of our red grapes picked on November 4th.
A severe widespread frost event throughout the entire Okanagan Valley occurred the night of October 9th. Despite this early cold snap, our remaining grapes on the vine were at the ideal maturity levels, with desired ripeness achieved. Crop levels were only slightly below normal and as a whole, the 2019 wines are showing outstanding aromatics and flavours, with bright natural acidity, and good colour and structure.
Mark Hopley, Winemaker
Harvest 2020
The 2020 harvest should make for some exceptional quality wines. We had a very warm September, which saw the white varieties on our Golden Mile Bench vineyard ripen relatively early. The harvest lasted two months, starting with Gewürztraminer on September 3 for our Prosecco style sparkling wine, Ti Amo. This was followed shortly thereafter with our Old Vines Pinot Blanc, which was first planted on our estate in 1968. The white varietals overall show plenty of flavours and ample acidity.
On the red side, we were pleased to see the warm September continue into early October, which enabled ample Brix levels in the fruit for ideal ripening and plenty of flavour development. The lack of rain this summer definitely showed in the fruit, offering rich colours and concentrated flavours.
We were somewhat surprised by an early snow event October 23rd, fortunately, most wines were fermenting by this point. The cool weather that followed, made picking a challenge. However, our vineyard crews were up to the task, as we completed the harvest with some exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon on November 2.
Overall the 2020 growing season in the Oliver Osoyoos region was the 5th warmest in the last 23 years. Our impressions of this favourable growing season are concentrated flavours, ample acidity, and plentiful colour, which we believe will make for an exceptional vintage.
Mark Hopley
The 2020 Red Wines
Hester Creek Character Red ($18.99)
Winemaker Notes
The grapes were sourced mainly from our historic Golden Mile Bench estate. It is complemented with fruit from several premium nearby vineyards including Stone’s Throw, adjacent to the Black Sage Bench, and our vineyard manager’s own property on Road 8. The blend includes a unique clone of Merlot originally from Italy, from Block 13 of our historic vineyard, first planted in 1968. These grapes are later ripening, and the Old Vine fruit brings a wonderful intensity and spiciness to this wine. The grapes were all handpicked, then destemmed and gently fermented in our Italian Ganimede fermenters until the desired extraction was achieved. Following pressing, the lots were blended to age for 8 months on fine lees in 75% French and 25% American oak.
The blend contains Italian Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.
14.1% Alcohol, pH 3.72 TA 6.7 g/L, RS 0.26 g/L.
TASTING NOTES
Lively aromas of black fruit and baking spices. Full-bodied with rich flavours of black and red cherries, blackberry, red plum, dark chocolate, with a long finish and cedar notes. 91 Points
A young but substantial wine, that pairs well with a grilled fig and prosciutto flatbread or fresh figs stuffed with blue cheese.
Hester Creek Merlot 2020 ($17.99)
Winemaker Notes
Made with Merlot entirely from the Oliver area, a large portion of the fruit was grown on our Golden Mile Bench estate property, with the remainder from three, select vineyards nearby. The grapes were handpicked throughout the month of October. Our winemaker fermented the berries whole in our Italian Ganimede fermenters for approximately 2 weeks for the ideal extraction of colours and flavours. The resulting wine was then gently pressed and selected lots were tasted to best represent the terroir of the South Okanagan Valley. The wine was blended and aged for 8 months on fine lees with 60% French oak and 40% American oak before bottling.
13.8% Alcohol, pH 3.69 TA 6.45 g/L, RS 0.41 g/L.
TASTING NOTES
An easy-drinking Merlot, with aromas of plum and cherry. A soft round mouthfeel with flavours of red plum, raspberry and chocolate. 89 points
A sure-fire crowd-pleaser that pairs wonderfully with pizza and a movie.
Hester Creek Old Vines Merlot 2019 ($25.99)
Winemaker Notes
Crafted with grapes from Block 2 of our Golden Mile Bench estate vineyard in mid-October, our Old Vine Merlot is made from vines approximately a quarter-century old. Planted with vines that are Pomerol clone 181 and clone 184, these Bordeaux clones consistently produce fruit that is good for long-aged wines.
After hand sorting, the fruit was destemmed and gently fermented whole on the skins for 12 days in our Italian Ganimede fermenters. Following pressing, and malolactic fermentation, the wine was barrel-aged in mostly French oak, (35% of the barrels were new). After ageing in barrel on fine lees for 18 months the wine was transferred to a tank and subsequently bottled at the end of May.
14.4% Alcohol, pH 3.79 TA 6.3 g/L, RS 0.23 g/L.
TASTING NOTES
A bold fruit-forward Merlot, with lively aromas of red plum, and black fruit. On the palate, ripe black cherry, black currant, more plum with a hint of cigar and sweet toasty oak. The structure is multi-dimensional with smooth tannins and a lengthy finish. 92 points
Fantastic fruit and structure, pair with BBQ pork tenderloin topped with grilled Okanagan cherries.
Hester Creek Select Vineyards Cabernet Merlot 2020 ($17.99)
Winemaker Notes
48% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The grapes are from the estate Golden MIles vineyard and other Oliver Osoyoos vineyards. The grapes were handpicked, sorted and destemmed into our red fermenters. The fermentation tanks gently mix the fruit until the desired colour and extraction is achieved. The resulting wine is gently pressed, and encouraged through malolactic fermentation and allowed to age on fine lees until blending in the spring. The varietals were aged in 75% French oak and 25% American oak.
13.9% Alcohol, pH 3.65 TA 6.08 g/L, RS 1.0 g/L.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of black currant, dark cherry, and light toast. The soft and pleasing palate has nicely rounded tannins, with black cherry, plum, clove, and cedar notes. 90 Points
A fantastic wine for weeknight dinners or parties, pair with good friends and grilled turkey burgers topped with Swiss cheese.
Hester Creek Old Vines Cabernet Franc 2019 ($25.99)
Winemaker Notes
This full-bodied wine is crafted with grapes from Block 3 of our historic Golden Mile Bench vineyard, with original plantings dating back to 1968. The vines were thinned to one bunch per shoot and fruit was handpicked, sorted, and destemmed. The grapes were left whole and fermented on the skins for 17 days in our Italian Ganimede fermenters. After the desired extraction was achieved, the Cabernet Franc was gently pressed and fermented, the wine was then racked off fine lees and barrel-aged for 18 months. Our winemaker uses primarily French oak barriques, with the accompaniment of 25% American neutral oak barrels. A beautifully structured wine that demonstrates the incredible intensity and finesse of old vine fruit.
14.5% Alcohol, pH 3.86 TA 6.28 g/L, RS 0.18 g/L.
Tasting Notes
The Cab Franc takes some time to open up so make sure to decant before serving. A medium garnet colour. Aromas of raspberry, green bell pepper and white pepper. The medium-bodied wine has flavours of fresh raspberry, black cherry, chocolate, cinnamon and a light peppery, toastiness. A concentrated and complex wine, that drinks well now but will also cellar gracefully. 92 Points
Pair with barbequed turkey burgers or with roasted beets and goat cheese.
To check out the latest vintage of Hester Creek White Wines see – Hester Creek for Flavourful 2021 Whites.
Please visit Hester Creek Estate Winery to purchase their current portfolio of BC wines.