Mission Hill Family Estate 2014 Five Vineyards Cabernet Merlot

Mission Hill Family Estate 2014 Five Vineyards Cabernet Merlot

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

$17.45 (145102)

One of the most enjoyable tastings of last year was a showcase of Mission Hill Oculus at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. It was a coming-of-age story that showed how chief winemaker Darryl Brooker is building on the experience amassed since Mission Hill opened in 1981. You can bet that the 2014 Oculus will be stellar when it is released years from now, but it’s exciting to note how the larger volume Five Vineyards Cabernet-Merlot is also looking its best since it’ll be enjoyed by greater numbers. It's an attractive full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with Merlot and a tiny per cent of Petit Verdot. Fourteen months aging in French and American oak has added savoury spice, coffee and vanilla notes to the core of cherry and cassis fruit. A rich and flavourful red wine, this is enjoyable on its own or with burgers, beef or mushroom dishes.