2020 Oculus – Canada’s First 100 Point Red Wine
Oculus has always been Mission Hill’s defining statement. The 2020 vintage now makes history as Canada’s first red wine to earn a 100-point score, powerful, refined, and unforgettable. Read More
Oculus 2020, Canada’s First 100-Point Red Sets a New Benchmark
In 1997, Mission Hill Family Estate set out to prove that the Okanagan Valley could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s most celebrated wine regions. Oculus was that declaration of intent — an uncompromising Bordeaux-inspired blend built from the vineyard up. Twenty-three vintages later, the 2020 release has earned 100 points from wine critic John Schreiner, the first Canadian red to ever do so. A milestone that cements its status as Canada’s icon wine.
“The wine begins with appealing aromas of cassis, spice and dark cherry. The long, silky tannins support flavours of dark fruits with a hint of chocolate. The finish is persistent. A tour de force!”
— John Schreiner, Wine Critic
Oculus 2020 arrives from one of the most balanced growing seasons the South Okanagan has experienced. Ample spring moisture, warm, but not extreme, summer days, with a long, dry autumn delivered fruit of exceptional concentration and finesse. Quantities are limited, yet the quality ranks among the decade’s finest.
Meticulous selection in the vineyard ensures only the best fruit makes the final cut. Fermentation in small oak fermenters, gentle hand punch-downs, and 18 months’ élevage in French barriques shape a wine of depth and harmony. Dense red and dark fruit, velvety tannins, and a line of fresh acidity promise graceful ageing for decades.
Vineyards Behind the Blend
Border Vista Vineyard, Osoyoos (90%): Gravel-free loamy sands and west-facing slopes ripen Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon to intense concentration, while preserving nuanced aromatics.
Jagged Rock Vineyard, Black Sage Bench (10 %): Perched at 1,400 feet, this exposed, stony site contributes energy and structure, key to the wine’s length and minerality.
Wine Profile
A Merlot-dominant core layers ripe raspberry, blueberry, and blackcurrant. Cabernet Franc adds a subtle herbal lift, while Cabernet Sauvignon lengthens the palate with firm yet polished tannins. A hint of Petit Verdot strengthens the frame. Expect notes of dark chocolate, violet, and baking spice to emerge with time in the cellar.
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