Hester Creek Estate Winery The Judge 2008

Hester Creek Estate Winery
The Judge 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, BC
$45-50 available at winery, BC Liquor Stores and select private liquor retailers
+133124
www.hestercreek.com

Late last month the BC Liquor Stores had their Best of BC Fall 2011 Wine Release. The limited availability release at 21 Signature Stores focused on premium Okanagan reds (plus Tantalus’ lauded Old Vines Riesling).  The big, established guys were on display (Mission Hill, Inniskillin, Osoyoos Larose…) alongside relative newcomers (Stag’s Hollow, Moon Curser, Painted Rock…)

The Judge sort of covers both camps – a newer icon red from a long time Okanagan winery.  With some of the oldest red vinifera vines in the province (dating back to 1968), winemaker Rob Summers wanted to create a blend that paid tribute to the vineyard and the unique terroir and Ratnip soils in the heart of the Golden Mile Bench.

This full bodied Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon blend comes together to release dark cassis and cedar spice aromas. Concentrated and dusty cherry, plum, currants and savoury pepper notes stand up to the toasted oak notes, cloaking the firm, cedar bough structure with plush, savoury fruit. This wine is ready to drink now, but would certainly continue to benefit from 5+ years of bottle maturity. If you want to add to your cellar, you had best do so quickly as less than 300 cases of this wine was made. An imposing Judge, in no small part due to the heft of the weighty bottle. Pair with herbed roast pork or lamb.

 

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Hester Creek Estate Winery The Judge 2008

This full bodied Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon blend comes together to release dark cassis and cedar spice aromas. Concentrated and dusty cherry, plum, currants and savoury pepper notes stand up to the toasted oak notes, cloaking the firm, cedar bough structure with plush, savoury fruit. This wine is ready to drink now, but would certainly continue to benefit from 5+ years of bottle maturity. Pair with herbed roast pork or lamb.

Written By:

Treve Ring is a wine writer, editor, judge, consultant and certified sommelier, and has been with EAT Magazine for over a decade.\r\n\r\nIn addition to her work with EAT, she is a Wine Critic and National Judge for ...

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