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96POINTS
18½/20
Mission Hill Family Estate Oculus 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOculus has been around since 1997, and it's taken nearly an entire quarter century for this wine to reach its stated goal to be "the ultimate expression of the Okanagan Valley." It has always been good and better than most BC reds, but the later versions, especially the latest 2020 release, are finally hitting the mark, combining refreshing, nuanced red fruit with rich dark fruit and exquisitely managed tannins. The newest blend is a 49/24/22/5 mix of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and petit verdot that has been painstakingly grown in the vineyard to meet the Oculus standard. It is optically sorted and fermented in specially constructed French oak and concrete fermenters before going to the barrel. In short, it is a no stone unturned wine made of 90% Osoyoos fruit and 10% Black Sage Oliver fruit. It spends 19 months in small French oak barrels and 2 more years in bottles before release. It is young, but the styling suggests you could drink this with a rich protein and enjoy it now. It is the best young Oculus I have tested and will only improve in the bottle through 2035 and beyond. When you factor in one of the finest growing seasons in the Okanagan, you have the perfect recipe for an exceptional wine.Tasted: 09 November 2024Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:| BC | $225.00 | 750ml | winery direct/online |
Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet FrancCSPC: 31289UPC: 776545981738
