Availability: Direct from winery. Restaurants. 2006 vintage widely available.
Cost: $40-45
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 5th, 2010
Tasting Notes: From the cellar comes the inaugural vintage of Mission Hill's excellent Quatrain, a red blend of 57% Merlot, 28% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. At 5 years old this wine has not yet peaked and will benefit from another 2 years of patient cellaring. That said, it is drinking beautifully now showing incredible concentration of aromas and flavours.
Tasted blind there would be no confusion over its origin - a complement. This is an unabashed New World fruit explosion that has been artfully treated with new French oak and given time to gel: the 2005 vintage was released in the Fall of 2008. Big tannins and strong acidity never over-power the fruit or texture of this inky-ruby gem. The Syrah is prominent on the nose and palate adding a peppery spiciness to what would otherwise be a straight-forward Meritage blend. Cassis, plums, blackberries, chocolate and coffee beans
this wine requires careful decanting as there is quite a bit of sediment in the bottle. 1-2 hours prior to drinking should do nicely. Seek out this 2005 vintage and treat yourself to a 1st class BC red blend - the 2006 (tasted at the release party in Oct '09) left us a bit bored on the palate. Some VQA stores may still have a few '05s hanging around. Drink now through 2015.
- Liam Carrier
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