quicksearch
92POINTS
17/20
Hester Creek The Judge 2022
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWith new vineyards added, the 2022 harvest produced a larger-than-average crop that started late. A warm summer and a long, pleasant fall resolved most vineyard issues. The winery calls the 2022 vintage a milestone year for creating exceptional, fruit-forward, and age-worthy wines. The Judge is crafted from old vines dating back to 1968, and despite the final ’24 freeze outcome, it truly shines in 2022. Winemaker Mark Hopley has refined the blend, oak regimen, and overall freshness, with its silky texture perhaps its best attribute. The grapes are carefully sorted, cold-soaked, and fermented in separate lots in specialized Italian tanks designed to extract the perfect level of flavour gently. The latest blend includes 47% merlot, 34% cabernet franc, 17% cabernet sauvignon, 1% petit verdot, and 1% malbec, aged 24 months in French oak. A merlot and cabernet franc blend is the key to success in the South Okanagan, and with even less cabernet sauvignon this year, the wine is even better. Fresher, tighter, with refined black fruit, cocoa, savoury dried spices, and cedar all coming together to create a polished symphony. The Judge continues to rise in status among BC's top reds.Tasted: 04 July 2025Tasted by: Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml | winery online/direct, select private retailers, Terrafiina |
| BC | $95.99 | 1500ml | winery direct |
Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet FrancCSPC: 133124UPC: 626990112235
