Hester Creek 2017 Syrah Viognier 750ml

A fine improvement here, especially in texture and weight. The nose is fragrant, sporting floral and cracked pepper notes with more liquorice and less of those meaty notes. It has a certain softness that is becoming a part of the Hester Creek style, giving it some of the New World weight and heft. The attack is soft and supple and this one, under screw cap, is very easy to like. Expect a ripe, smoky, entry of black fruits and sweet, smoked berry with a smoky oaky undertone. You can drink this now, but I would wait a year or two. Barbecue chicken would be a fine match and so would lamb osso buco. A generous, easy-sipping style.

Score: 88 points -- Anthony Gismondi, Gismondi On Wine, Oct 2018