If you are thinking about sipping a ripe, juicy, delicious red wine, this wine, Hester Creek Grenache Syrah Mourvedre 2022, is a wonderful option. I received this wine earlier this summer but took till now to have a chance to open it for you. It’s a blend of 45% Grenache, 38% Syrah (includes 2% of co-fermented Viognier), and 17% Mourvedre from their Vineyard Eleven. The wine was aged 14 months in 100% French oak. 2022 started off as a difficult year in the Okanagan with a cool spring and more rain than usual, but by summer, temperatures rose and lasted into the autumn, extending the season with the warmest September and October on record. This longer growing season led to longer hang times for the fruit to develop phenolic ripeness. For Hester Creek, the red varietals hung on the vine throughout November allowing the grapes to concentrate their colours and flavours. We should expect great fruit expression from this wine. Read on.
My Tasting Notes
Hester Creek Grenache Syrah Mourvedre 2022 (BC $34.99)
Winery notes, “We sourced the grapes for this 2022 vintage from one of the warmest vineyards in Canada which we named, Vineyard Eleven for its prestigious location and excellence in producing grapes that are an 11/10 in quality. After being hand-harvested, the grapes were destemmed and fermented separately for an average of 27 days before being barreled down and encouraged through a malolactic fermentation for an additional three weeks. The wine was aged for 14 months in French oak barrels to showcase the terroir and provide the connoisseur with a wine unlike any other in BC.”
Appearance: A clear, consistent to the core, medium-intensity garnet colour.
Nose: Medium-intensity aromas of juicy bramble berries, ripe plums, sweet spices and light toastiness. Lighter aromas after decanting.
Palate: This wine is dry, with medium-minus body, round and soft, with a light mouthfeel. With swirling the wine bumps up to medium body and you get a thicker mouthfeel. Raspberries, juicy berries, plums, black pepper and hints of nutmeg, chocolate, floral, and red cherries on the palate. Some meatiness with air. Medium acidity and lighter tannins. The fruit flavours were not as expressive after decanting. Tannins move up to medium.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with juicy berry flavours, light pepperiness, light fine-grained tannins and some bitterness. Again, the fruit flavours were not as strong after decanting.
I recommend opening this bottle and enjoying it at once.
Rating: 
Where Can I Buy This Wine?
You can purchase this wine online through the Hester Creek website.