Mission Hill Family Estate Mediterranean Cellars Merlot 2004

Mission Hill made a significant change in style with the 2004 vintage of its flagship red, Oculus, which the winery is now previewing prior to its release. This vintage includes substantially more Merlot and less of the other varieties than previous examples. The 2003 Oculus is 47% Merlot, the 2002 Oculus is 50% Merlot.The change in the blend reflected challenges of the 2004 vintage that made it harder to ripen late reds. Mission Hill spokesman Ingo Grady describes 2004 as a “Right Bank vintage. The Merlot was just exceptional.” The blending panel, which includes consultant Michel Rolland, opted for a Merlot-dominant blend and achieved a spectacular wine. The 2005 Oculus, from a more even vintage, is already bottled with the Merlot component back to the winery’s customary 50%.Dark in colour, the 2004 Oculus presents aromas of black currants and vanilla that surge from the glass. On the palate, this is a full and generous wine, with flavours of plums and currants. The notes of cedar and cigar box maintain Bordeaux lineage of earlier vintages. Yet without a doubt, this is the richest, most lush Oculus to date. 94 points.

Oculus is the Mission Hill family estate's signature Bordeaux-inspired red wine. Lush with dark blackberries, wild raspberries, cedar, truffle and chocolate on the finish. Decant in its youth.

Wine Tasting NotesOculus epitomizes exquisite balance, managing to be distinctively complex and concentrated yet elegantly styled, with a smooth, polished texture. The signature of the wine is the multiplicity of layers that unfold into decadent plum, blackberry and chocolate notes. The distinguishing rich, loamy earthiness and fine ripe tannins provide structure and mingle with lush fruit, ensuring that the wine will develop additional complexity over many years. If enjoying Oculus in its youth, we suggest decanting prior to serving. The blend for the 2004 Oculus is 74% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot.