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90POINTS
16½/20
Mission Hill Family Estate Oculus 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAs we have said before, no wine in the region is handled more gently before it is aged, in this case 14 months in French barriques followed by another two years in bottle. The mix is 51 percent merlot, 26 percent cabernet sauvignon and 23 percent cabernet franc. Oculus has the elegant demeanour and rich, fine grained tannins you expect at this point and frankly not a lot of green notes in a very green vintage. Look for a mix of dark red cherry and plum fruit with bits of coffee, liquorice and savoury black sage notes. Power with finesse is the goal and in a tough year they have accomplished it. Try this with a favourite steak preparation. One of the dangers of holding your wine back for extra ageing is there is no escaping the tough vintages like 2010 in BC. Oculus is the pinnacle red at Mission Hill so there is little room for mistakes even in tough vintages. The 2010 Oculus, about to be released, makes a statement about the care and work that went into this difficult vintage the price is now where the winery wants it at a shiny $100 a bottle. Not a lot of bottles were made after a strict selection, and it will no doubt sell through quickly via the winery's very busy wine shop.Tasted: 07 October 2014Tasted by: Anthony Gismondi and Stuart TobePrices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml | winery direct |
Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - Petit VerdotCSPC: 202291UPC: 776545981301
