2022 is the last vintage in the Okanagan before the harsh winter cold snaps of 2023 and 2024. 2022 produced a large crop of grapes although the season started cool, it finished with a sunny Fall, so there is lots of wine to go around. I suggest stocking up on 2022 wines as 2023 and 2024 will be reduced in volume. I received these two bottles of red wines from Hester Creek Estate Winery: Hester Creek Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 and Old Vines Cabernet Franc 2022. Old Vines is not a legal term for BC VQA wines (or for most places around the world); just an indication that these vines are older than the average vines in BC. Older vines typically have a more concentrated depth of flavour and character. From what I read on Hester Creek’s website, I think the Cabernet Franc vines are over 50 years old.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Hester Creek Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (BC $34.99)
Winemaker’s notes, “…Cabernet Sauvignon was hand harvested late in the season for the grapes to achieve peak ripeness, raisin and ultimately concentrate the flavours of this already intense varietal. We hand sorted and gently destemmed the berries into our Ganimede fermentation tanks where they were whole berry soaked for three days prior to inoculation. After a 16-day maceration, the juice was gently pressed off the skins and encouraged through a malolactic fermentation. We aged the resulting wine for 16 months in exclusively French oak barrels, 35% of which were new oak. The wine was then racked and blended prior to being bottled on June 7, 2024.”
Appearance: A clear, deep garnet colour in the glass. About 90% opaque.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity aromas of black fruit, black cherries, plums and touches of oak and vanilla. No change to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: This wine is dry, medium-plus body with a smooth, soft, round mouthfeel. Black fruit flavours primarily with touches of nutmeg, oak, and cherries. Medium intensity tannins and acidity. The only change to the flavours after decanting is to add a hint of capsicum.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with mostly black fruit flavours, along with lesser amounts of cherries, oak and vanilla and a hint of nutmeg. Slightly firmer, dusty tannins on the finish.
There is no need to decant this wine. It has understated black fruit aromas and flavours.
Rating: 
The Hester Creek Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 showcases a deep garnet hue and inviting aromas of black fruit, cherries, and plums with touches of oak and vanilla. On the palate, it is medium-plus bodied with a smooth, round mouthfeel and flavours of black fruit, nutmeg, and cherries, enhanced by medium tannins and acidity. A medium-plus finish highlights black fruit, cherries, and oak, with slightly firmer tannins after decanting.
Hester Creek Estate Winery Old Vines Cabernet Franc 2022 (BC ~$29.99 for 2021 vintage)
Appearance: This wine has a medium-plus to deep, clear garnet colour. About 75% opaque.
Nose: Medium-intensity aromas of red fruit and berries, some meatiness, oak/cedar, nutmeg and a hint of ginger. The aromas stay the same after decanting.
Palate: Dry, with medium plus body; a round, smooth mouthfeel. Candied red cherries, floral, and red fruit flavours. Medium intensity pepperiness. Nutmeg toward the finish. With swirling you also get hints of capsicum and cedar, and some black fruit flavours. Medium intensity acidity and tannins. After decanting the wine has a lighter body, is softer, less peppery and loses the touch of capsium. There is now some meatiness and a mix of black and red fruit on the palate.
Finish: A medium-plus length that shows black fruit, nutmeg, and black pepper flavours. The pepperiness gets stronger with air and lasts a long time. Medium tannins on the finish. After decanting the hint of nutmeg disappeared. The wine has less pepperiness and no nutmeg on the finish after decanting.
An elegant, restrained wine with red fruit aromas and flavours. I prefer the undecanted version as it has a wider range of flavours.
Rating: The Hester Creek Estate Winery Old Vines Cabernet Franc 2022 features a medium-plus to deep garnet hue with aromas of red fruit, berries, oak, and a hint of ginger, remaining consistent after decanting. On the palate, it offers a smooth, round mouthfeel with candied red cherries, floral notes, and hints of cedar and black fruit, becoming softer and less peppery after decanting. A medium-plus finish highlights black fruit and pepperiness, with the pepper softening and nutmeg disappearing after decanting.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase these wines online via the Hester Creek website:
- Hester Creek Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
- Hester Creek Estate Winery Old Vines Cabernet Franc 2022 (The 2021 vintage is showing on their website. It may be the last few bottles, or could be 2022, just the web page has not been updated.)
Everything Wine sells the Cabernet Sauvignon. Select Save on Foods stores sell the Old Vines Cabernet Franc.
