About this winery

Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve wines are elegant and balanced, reflecting our passion and commitment to viticultural and winemaking excellence. The limited quantity wines are produced from select vineyard properties and showcase the distinctiveness of the world-renowned Okanagan Valley.

See the Mission Hill Family Estate detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

Our 2018 Reserve Merlot was grown in two of our estate vineyards. Osoyoos, the region’s most southern area, is comprised of arid benchlands that benefit from the lake’s effect providing the region with more than 200 frost-free days. This warm climate allows our Bordeaux varietals to completely ripen for full flavour. The Oliver Vineyard estate is a diverse vineyard with more than 60 different individual blocks, affording us an amazing array of premium quality fruit.

Production notes

The 2018 harvest began earlier than anticipated due to above average growing degree days in the spring. Summer arrived with cooler temperatures, encouraging the fruit to develop beautiful acidity and allowing more time for full flavour retention. One of the coolest Septembers on record followed, slowing down the sugar accumulation and allowing the fruit to fully develop phenologically. Harvest concluded on November 8, with the extended season yielding a crop of uniformly ripened fruit with mouthwatering freshness and acidity.

Tasting notes

Full-bodied and well structured, this wine is introduced with elegant notes of wild blackberry and dark cherry on the nose. The palate is rich with ripe dark fruits, refined tannins and a persistent finish.