Hester Creek Estate Winery Syrah 2022

Deborah Podurgiel WSET IV Candidate rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

Hester Creek Estate Winery Epic Series Syrah (2022) is indeed epic!

In my glass, their best one yet and in my books 94pts! Love, love, love this Syrah. A gobsmacking gorgeous Syrah (co-fermented with some Viognier) from a great vintage, the wine is smooth, sophisticated and contemplative. Deep and dark ruby in the glass, it is inviting with aromas of pink and blue florals, dark berry, cherry, meaty and subtle spicy flavours velvety on the palate. Fresh with bright and balanced acidity, it teases with blackberry notes, anise and cracked pepper spice lingering on a soul-satisfying finish. A beautifully crafted Syrah, I did manage to overnight it to try it with both a T-Bone roast beef and the next day with Tomahawk Pork Chops from the grill. It was absolutely amazing with both entrées. Tasted August 2025.

The Syrah grapes for this vintage were hand-sorted, destemmed and cold soaked for two days prior to yeast inoculation. After a maceration of 15 days, the wine was pressed off its skins and underwent malolactic conversion. The co-fermented wine (Syrah/Viognier) was aged for 14 months in 60% American and 40% French oak barrels. Drink now through 2030-plus.

Matt Steeves rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Hester Creek’s 2022 Syrah is a wine that demands a place in your collection. The 2022 vintage was one of rare beauty, with one of the longest growing seasons in recent memory, allowing the fruit to hang late into the year, even achieving a natural withering on the vine. The result is a Syrah that is as fragrant as it is deeply concentrated, already dazzling with its complexity, and destined to shine bright over the next decade and beyond.

The nose greets you with an intoxicating blend of blueberry pie, ripe currants, subtle dessert herbs, graphite, and a delicate touch of white pepper, drawing you in with its depth and allure. On the palate, these flavors repeat with remarkable precision, wrapped in a silky smooth texture that coats the mouth with grace. At 14.6% abv, it’s a wine with power, yet it’s perfectly balanced, the fruit’s rich character and soft tannins harmonizing effortlessly with the oak’s integration after 14 months of careful aging.

This is a wine to be savored with hearty dishes: think braised Osso Bucco, wood-fired pizza with grilled sausage, or a charcuterie platter. For something unexpected, pair it with a decadent slice of chocolate cake—its layers of complexity will mirror each bite. A true testament to the exceptional quality of the Okanagan Valley, this Syrah showcases the beauty of the vintage and the stunning potential of this varietal with the region’s unique terroir. Tasted December 2024. 93 points.
Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca