“In this series we bring you our #FavouriteThings Holiday Gift Suggestions which we personally recommend”
Welcoming back Hester Creek to #FavouriteThings Holiday Gift Suggestions. There is really nothing better than a glass of a favourite red wine on a cold winter night. This trio of juicy delights will be a hit for the wine lovers on your list this year.
Suggested wines:
2020 SELECT VINEYARDS MERLOT
WINE PROFILE
Tasting Notes
Delectably easy drinking, this vintage of our Select Vineyards Merlot has expressive aromas of sage, mocha, ripe plum, and sweet vanilla bean. A soft, round, mouth-filling palate follows with smooth layers of dark cherry, eucalyptus, and clove ending with a lush finish. A sure-fire crowd pleaser that pairs wonderfully with pizza and a movie.
Vineyard Notes
From a winemaking perspective 2020 was an exceptional vintage in the South Okanagan. Early spring started out colder than average but by mid-to-late June, temperatures were at or above average. Following a summer that began a little later than usual, September was very warm resulting in our vineyards seeing a smaller than average crop with smaller grape bunches. The vines benefited from a dry September, with a smaller berry size contributing to concentrated flavours. The warm weather in late September and early October enabled the grapes to reach ideal phenolic ripeness, with our white varietals all handpicked and fermenting in tank by the first week of October. Following a warm start to fall, the weather turned and we saw a rare snowfall and a freezing event in the valley on October 23rd. Fortunately, the majority of our red grapes were harvested by this time. From a temperature perspective, the 2020 vintage was the 5th warmest in growing degree days in the last 2 decades. Overall, the 2020 season delivered exceptional quality grapes of a smaller berry size with abundant ripe fruit and beautifully enhanced flavour profiles. It is a year where the quality will be talked about for years to come, producing wines that are cellar worthy.
Winemaker Notes
Made with Merlot entirely from the Oliver area, a large portion of the fruit was grown on our Golden Mile Bench estate property, with the remainder from three, select vineyards nearby. The grapes were handpicked throughout the month of October. Our winemaker fermented the berries whole in our Italian Ganimede fermenters for approximately 2 weeks for the ideal extraction of colours and flavours. The resulting wine was then gently pressed and selected lots were tasted to best represent the terroir of the South Okanagan Valley. The wine was blended and aged for 8 months on fine lees with 60% French oak and 40% American oak before bottling, for a nicely balanced Merlot with mellow tannins.
2020 SELECT VINEYARDS CABERNET MERLOT
WINE PROFILE
Vineyard Notes
From a winemaking perspective 2020 was an exceptional vintage in the South Okanagan. Early spring started out colder than average but by mid-to-late June, temperatures were at or above average. Following a summer that began a little later than usual, September was very warm resulting in our vineyards seeing a smaller than average crop with smaller grape bunches. The vines benefited from a dry September, with a smaller berry size contributing to concentrated flavours. The warm weather in late September and early October enabled the grapes to reach ideal phenolic ripeness, with our white varietals all handpicked and fermenting in tank by the first week of October. Following a warm start to fall, the weather turned and we saw a rare snowfall and a freezing event in the valley on October 23rd. Fortunately, the majority of our red grapes were harvested by this time. From a temperature perspective, the 2020 vintage was the 5th warmest in growing degree days in the last 2 decades. Overall, the 2020 season delivered exceptional quality grapes of a smaller berry size with abundant ripe fruit and beautifully enhanced flavour profiles. It is a year where the quality will be talked about for years to come, producing wines that are cellar worthy.
2020 CHARACTER RED
WINE PROFILE
Tasting Notes
Savoury and utterly delicious, this vintage of our popular red blend has inviting aromas of clove and nutmeg, with hints of espresso, white pepper, and blueberry. A full, rich palate of pepper, blue fruits, and dark chocolate, ends with light toasty spice. A young but substantial wine, that pairs well with a grilled fig and prosciutto flatbread or fresh figs stuffed with blue cheese.
Vineyard Notes
From a winemaking perspective 2020 was an exceptional vintage in the South Okanagan. Early spring started out colder than average but by mid-to-late June, temperatures were at or above average. Following a summer that began a little later than usual, September was very warm resulting in our vineyards seeing a smaller than average crop with smaller grape bunches. The vines benefited from a dry September, with a smaller berry size contributing to concentrated flavours. The warm weather in late September and early October enabled the grapes to reach ideal phenolic ripeness, with our white varietals all handpicked and fermenting in tank by the first week of October. Following a warm start to fall, the weather turned and we saw a rare snowfall and a freezing event in the valley on October 23rd. Fortunately, the majority of our red grapes were harvested by this time. From a temperature perspective, the 2020 vintage was the 5th warmest in growing degree days in the last 2 decades. Overall, the 2020 season delivered exceptional quality grapes of a smaller berry size with abundant ripe fruit and beautifully enhanced flavour profiles. It is a year where the quality will be talked about for years to come, producing wines that are cellar worthy.
Winemaker Notes
The grapes for this fresh, yet full-bodied red wine, were sourced mainly from our historic Golden Mile Bench estate. It is complemented with fruit from several premium nearby vineyards including Stone’s Throw, adjacent to the Black Sage Bench, and our vineyard manager’s own property on Road 8. The blend includes a unique clone of Merlot originally from Italy, from Block 13 of our historic vineyard, first planted in 1968. These grapes are later ripening, and the Old Vine fruit brings a wonderful intensity and spiciness to this wine. The grapes were all handpicked, then destemmed and gently fermented in our Italian Ganimede fermenters until the desired extraction was achieved. Following pressing, the lots were blended to age for 8 months on fine lees in 75% French and 25% American oak. A pleasingly complex blend with a superb depth of character and vitality.
THE OLD VINES OF HESTER CREEK DEFINE OUR IDENTITY
The historic vineyards of Hester Creek are grown on a unique terroir. The distinctive combination of elevation, slope, alluvial soils and light inception are reflected in the premium grapes we grow.
–PLANTING CLASSIC VARIETALS THAT DATE BACK TO 1968. OUR ROOTS RUN DEEP.
Wine profiles courtesy of the winery. Images MyVanCity. I received complimentary wine to facilitate this feature.
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