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17/20
Hester Creek Garland 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGarland is the Hester Creek flagship red, named after the longtime owner Curt Garland. The inaugural 2015 vintage first appeared in 2018 to mark the 50th anniversary of planting vinifera vines on the property in 1968. Garland has been made every year since. The 2020 Garland is led by cabernet sauvignon with additions of malbec and petit verdot, all grown on the Golden Mile Bench. From a winemaking perspective, 2020 was an exceptional vintage in the South Okanagan. That culminated in smaller berry sizes that contributed to concentrated flavours, something you might expect from the 5th warmest year in growing degree days in the last 20 years. After fermentation, the petit verdot and malbec were co-fermented and blended with the cabernet sauvignon to age for 24 months in French oak. This edition is swimming in powerful blackberry streaked with licorice, balsamic, and sweet pipe tobacco before the plush, sweet tannins kick in. From my point of view, the Garland is always tighter and more focused, a more sophisticated blend compared with The Judge, and suited to more extended aging. If appropriately cellared, this one will surely be around for 15-20 years. Perfect now for rare steak with peppercorn sauce, or a mushroom-based dish.Tasted: 08 November 2023Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:| BC | $64.99 | 750ml | winery online/direct, select private retailers |
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon - Petit Verdot - MalbecCSPC: 145362UPC: 626990222118
