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. My plan is for patience, until the
winter of 2014, then open my remaining bottle. There is no doubt that a great
amount of detail and attention went into crafting this wine, very enjoyable. My
only negative, the heft and weight of the bottle, strong and masculine, but not
very good for the environment, not to mention that it will only fit on the top
or bottom row of my wine cellar. Score 93 points.
Purchased at
the Artisan Wine Shop in Victoria, BC. September 25, 2009 at $60.00
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