Hester Creek has delivered one of the strongest red-wine lineups of the season with its EPIC 22 Series — a collection built for holiday gatherings, winter cellaring, and fans of bold, refined BC reds. From the polished Old Vines Cabernet Franc to the ultra-limited Garland and powerhouse Judge, these wines show depth, structure, and top-tier winemaking that shines beautifully this time of year.
2022 Harvest and Vintage Notes
The 2022 vintage was a standout for Hester Creek, marked by an extended growing season and optimal ripening conditions. A cool, wet spring delayed bud break, but a warm summer and record-setting fall extended hang times, allowing fruit to develop full phenolic ripeness. Harvest spanned from September 9th to December 1st, yielding exceptional aromatics in the whites and deep colour and flavour intensity in the reds. Now for the EPIC ’22 wines.
Old Vine Cabernet Franc (EPIC ’22) — $29.99
Winemaking: Hand harvested in late November 2022, with whole berries cold-soaked for two days before a 15-day fermentation in Italian Ganimede tanks. Aged for 18 months in a mix of 75% French and 25% American oak before bottling on May 8, 2024.
Technical Specs: Alcohol: 14.3% | pH: 3.8 | TA: 6.1 g/L | RS: 0.7 g/L
Tasting Notes: Get ready for a South Okanagan showstopper! This vintage bursts with herbaceous, savoury minerality on the nose, joined by ripe plum, wild raspberry, vanilla, and soft pepper. The palate delivers a bold mix of juicy raspberry, cocoa, light toast, and white pepper. Earthier this year, it brings vibrant freshness, baked plum, and bright raspberry. Perfectly balanced acidity and grippy ‘22 tannins shine in a dry, medium-plus body with a smooth, thick mouthfeel. Black cherries, oak, capsicum, and nutmeg dance, with plum and dark chocolate rounding it out. Decanting softens the tannins, unveiling black fruit and a floral hint. 92 Points
Pairing & Ageing: Pairs perfectly with BBQ Italian sausage or Chorizo. Enjoy now or cellar up to 5 years.
Syrah (EPIC ’22) — $29.99
Winemaking: Crafted with a Côte‑Rôtie influence, the Syrah was co‑fermented with 7% Viognier, enhancing floral lift and integrating spice throughout. Fruit was hand‑sorted, destemmed, and then cold‑soaked for two days before fermentation.
Technical Specs: Alcohol: 14.6% | pH: 3.64 | TA: 5.93 g/L | RS: 0.1
Tasting Notes: It is another fantastic red from the 2022 vintage. It has full-on aromas of floral violets, cherry, and plum. The flavours are blackberry and juicy red cherry with just a hint of white pepper. A well-rounded mouthfeel, velvet-smooth tannins, and a long finish complete the profile. 92 Points.
Pairing & Ageing: Serve slightly cool with grilled lamb or venison. Decanting for 30 minutes enhances the floral and spice notes.
The Judge (EPIC ’22) — $49.99
Winemaking: Grapes were hand-picked: Petit Verdot and Malbec (Oct 12), Cabernet Sauvignon (Oct 27), Merlot (Oct 28), Cabernet Franc (Dec 1). Cold-soaked for two days in Ganimede tanks. Petit Verdot and Malbec were co-fermented, others separately. Aged 24 months in new and neutral French oak. Bottled May 7, 2025.
Blend: 47% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec
Technical Specs: Alcohol: 14.2% | pH: 3.71 | TA: 6.2 g/L | RS: 0.5 g/L
Tasting Notes: Get ready to be swept away by an absolute stunner of a wine! This beauty unleashes a seductive symphony of aromas—vibrant star anise, juicy blackberry, and lush ripe plums dance with decadent dark chocolate, creamy vanilla, supple leather, and whispers of dried herbs. On the palate, it’s pure velvet, with smooth, dusty tannins weaving seamlessly into a bold, concentrated burst of ripe black fruit and sultry, earthy mocha undertones. This is a wine that commands attention now but promises even greater rewards for those with the patience to cellar it for a decade or more. Crowned with an impressive 94 points, this is a masterpiece you’ll want to savour or stash away for future indulgence!
Pairing & Ageing: Enjoy now or cellar up to 10 years. Perfect with barbecued ribeye or slow-smoked ribs.
Garland (EPIC ’22) — $64.99
Winemaking: Petit Verdot and Malbec (Oct 12), Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (Nov 9). Cold-soaked for two days in Ganimede tanks. Petit Verdot and Malbec co-fermented, Cabernet varieties separately. Cross-blended and aged 24 months in 100% French oak. Bottled June 2025.
Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec
Technical Specs: Alcohol: 14.3% | pH: 3.8 | TA: 6.4 g/L | RS: 0.7 g/L
Tasting Notes: Garland 2022 entices with aromas of cedar, clove, tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, ripe blackberry, and a hint of sage. On the palate, it delivers bold, luscious dark fruit drama, showcasing flavours of plum, cassis, vanilla, bergamot, ripe raspberry, black currant, blueberry, and fresh thyme. This full-bodied wine offers a plush yet delicate tannin structure with grippy tannins and an extended finish. Delicious now, it has the potential to cellar for 15+ years. 95 Points
Pairing & Ageing: Drink now or cellar up to 15 years. Best with peppercorn NY striploin or braised short ribs.
GSM 2022 (Epic ’22) — $34.99
Winemaking: First release of this Grenache‑Syrah‑Mourvèdre blend. Fermented separately, then blended and aged for balance and elegance.
Technical Specs: Alcohol: 12.8% | pH: 3.70 | TA: 6.1 g/L | RS: 0.4 g/L
Tasting Notes: Deep ruby-red colour with aromas of plum, cherries, and chocolate. Medium-bodied with layers of ripe raspberry, plum, and cherry, plus floral notes, fine tannins, and pepper spice. 93 points, Platinum – All Canadian Wine Championship.
Pairing & Ageing: Enjoy with BBQ, charcuterie, or cellar for 7+ years.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (EPIC ’22) — $34.99
Winemaking: Late-harvested at peak ripeness. Cold-soaked for three days before fermentation. Aged 16 months in French oak (35% new). Bottled June 7, 2024.
Technical Specs: Alcohol: 13.5% | pH: 3.8 | TA: 6.0 g/L | RS: 0.2 g/L
Tasting Notes: The cabernet has vibrant aromas of black cherry, blueberry and cassis. The full-bodied wine has flavours of blackberry, cassis, toasted oak and cloves. The ripe, firm tannins lead to a long, delicious finish. It’s an age-worthy wine. 92 Points
Pairing & Ageing: Drink now or age to enhance complexity. Ideal with beef tenderloin or roasted lamb.
📊 Compare the EPIC ’22 Wines at a Glance:
Your cheat sheet to flavour, specs, and pairings.
📋 Summary Table: Epic ’22
| Wine | Price | Style & Highlights | Pairing Suggestions | Alcohol | pH | TA (g/L) | RS (g/L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Vine Cabernet Franc | $29.99 | Herbaceous, raspberry, cocoa, white pepper | Grilled meats, veggie skewers | 14.3% | 3.8 | 6.1 | 0.7 |
| Syrah | $29.99 | Violets, cherry, blackberry, white pepper, 92 pts | Grilled lamb or venison | 14.6% | 3.64 | 5.93 | 0.1 |
| The Judge (Merlot Dominant) | $49.99 | Star-anise, cherry, cocoa, fennel, cedar | Ribeye, smoked meats | 14.2% | 3.71 | 6.2 | 0.5 |
| Garland (Cab Sauv Dominant) | $69.99 | Blackberry, cassis, vanilla, cedar, bergamot | NY striploin, braised short ribs | 14.3% | 3.8 | 6.4 | 0.7 |
| GSM 2022 | $34.99 | Plum, cherry, floral spice, medium-bodied | BBQ, pork, charcuterie | 12.8% | 3.70 | 6.1 | 0.4 |
| Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 | $34.99 | Blueberry, cassis, cedar, dark chocolate, 92 pts | Beef tenderloin, grilled lamb | 13.5% | 3.8 | 6.0 | 0.2 |
Please visit Hester Creek Estate Winery to purchase their current portfolio of BC wines.
Author Note:
This article was researched, written, and formatted by Julian Park, owner of BCWineTrends.com, with ChatGPT support to enhance structure, data integration, and editorial clarity