BC makes good Merlot. In 2019 Merlot (1,618.85 acres) was the top-planted red & white grape variety in BC. For lovers of big red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon came in at fifth place, but I’ve found our Merlots can also be quite big. I was fortunate to receive a bottle of BC’s Hester Creek Old Vine Merlot 2020 to review. Let me tell you about it.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Hester Creek Old Vine Merlot 2020 (BC $27.99)
Appearance: Deep, almost opaque garnet in colour.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity, deep aromas, of black fruit, black cherries and plums, toast, and sweet spices. The aromas are maybe a little lighter in intensity with decanting and tend to be more of black fruit.
Palate: Dry, medium-bodied with a lean mouthfeel that fleshes out and becomes rounder with a few minutes in the glass. Medium-plus intensity flavours of black cherries, candied red cherries, black fruit, and touches of mocha, nutmeg, oak and floral. Medium intensity fine-grained tannins and medium acidity. The fruit flavours become a bit more tart with decanting. Lighter acidity and a leaner mouthfeel. You get a touch of capsicum and pepperiness starting on the mid-palate. You do lose the candied red cherry flavour.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with medium-plus tannins, dark fruit, black cherries, and a touch of oak. Similar finish, but you can now add a touch of pepperiness.
A wine that can age well. Give it 4-5 years in your cellar. If you drink it now, I would enjoy it with food, and I would not decant the wine.
Rating: 
A deep garnet colour. Medium-minus intensity aromas of dark fruits plus some toast and sweet spices. Dry, medium-bodied with black fruit, cherries, and touches of oak, spices, and mocha. Medium-intensity fine-grained tannins. Medium-plus length.
Where Can I Buy This Wine?
You can purchase this wine through the Hester Creek winery website:
The wine is also available at their wine shop and at select wine shops and restaurants.
