Supple, fresh, spicy.
The Judge is an impressive blend of estate Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot housed in a muscular bottle.
An intense nose delivers black currents and plums, mocha and brown spice aromas. Glycerol in texture and weight it has a notably bold structure with restrained fruit and a long finish trailing dark chocolate, espresso and plenty of spice. Good freshness here keep it all in balance.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Olive Oil & Cracked Pepper
 
©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 30th, 2019

Supple, fresh, evocative.
The Judge is an impressive blend of estate Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot housed in a muscular bottle.
The nose offers roasted bell peppers and peppery spices on the savoury end, then evocative notes of licorice, vanilla, cherry gelee, smoked plums and purple flowers add a fragrant lift. Supple but still fresh, it is a well-woven palate of mocha and baking spices, cracked pepper and bright fruit flavours. Great structure and balance, a wine suited for Hester Creek's premium red.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - January 11th, 2018

Sensuous, muscular, complex.
The Judge is an impressive flagship blend of estate grapes from some of Hester Creek's oldest vines. Merlot (37%), old vine Cabernet Franc (33%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) were fermented in Ganimede fermenters for 15 days. These unique Italian tanks use natural carbon dioxide to gently extract colour, tannin and aromatics. The components were then gently pressed, and following malolactic fermentation aged on fine lees for several months. The lots were then judged, blended and aged for a further 24 months in primarily French oak barrels, 35% new.
It's always an opulent wine but the 2018 is really outstanding. Sweet red currents and Ribena are woven with crushed lilacs and pipe tobacco, mocha and a hint of candied apricot. The palate is as sensuous and supple as the nose suggests. More harmonious (IMO) than previous vintages, it has a muscular structure wrapped in a velvet cloak. Lengthy and complex, it's a wine to be proud of.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Olive Oil & Cracked Pepper
 
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 21st, 2021

Powerful, substantial, savoury.
The Judge is a hefty blend of estate Cabernet Franc (28%), Cabernet Sauvignon (31%) and Merlot (41%) from some of the oldest vines on the estate, dating back to 1968. Notes of cedar box and vanillin oak meld with anise, black cherry and cassis, dried flowers and tobacco. It's a powerful red with bold black fruit, waxy black chocolate, toasted spice and coffee flavours. A substantial wine that needs to be decanted.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Olive Oil & Cracked Pepper
 
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 30th, 2022

Crunchy, pristine, slick.
The special Block 16 Trebbiano vines were planted in Hester Creek's Golden Mile Bench vineyard in 1968, which is the winery's oldest planted section. While it's a variety common to Italy (where these vines were brought from), and to France (hello, Ugni Blanc), it certainly isn’t to BC.
Lovely delicacy here, oodles of appley aromas along with tangerine, melon, white flowers and undertones of white grapes. It has a juicy palate with crunchy orchard fruit flavours. Slick and refreshing, it has a pristine character and is once again a wonderful addition to the winery's portfolio.
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 8th, 2022