Oculus is Mission Hill Family Estate’s flagship wine, a Bordeaux inspired blend of 51% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. The grapes are from South Okanagan (Oliver and Osoyoos), hand harvested and hand sorted, fermentation & extended maceration in small French oak fermenters than each component is aged separately in 100% French oak barrels for 14.5 months with alcohol coming in at 14%.

This wine opens up with aromas of black cherry/blackberry fruit, black olive, bitter chocolate, clove, cedar, smoky and a strong nose of tobacco leaf/cigar box. On the mouthfeel, full bodied with layers of rich flavours, well structured, fresh acidity and fine chewy tannins. This blend's finish is very long with flavours of black fruit, tobacco, black pepper and smoky cedar wrap in fine tannins. I am delighted in knowing that I have one bottle remaining in my cellar; Oculus 2006 is enjoyable now but still needs to shed some of its oak and in the process acquiring some further elegance.

Tasting Notes: Mission Hill's signature wine carries huge expectations. The winery wants this wine to gain international recognition and wants it to complete on the world stage. Very high expectations indeed. The 2005 vintage did not live up to these expectations but I am happy to report that the 2006 vintage does. Where the 2005 tasted washed-out and limp, the 2006 is full of vibrant complexity and tastes of a wine that has had each grape cluster hand-picked and selected.
Great concentration of flavours on the nose and palate with a final blend of 51% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. Each component is aged separately in 100% French oak barrels for 14.5 months. The seductive nose offers youthful aromas of dark berries, chocolate and cassis. The palate displays flavours of candy nibs, coffee, leather, cassis and has a very long and elegant finish.
This is a wine that will need some time in the cellar before opening; 2-3 years. With good tannin structure and acidity this wine will easily last 10-12 years. Drink 2011-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010