A QUATRAIN is a poem or stanza that is always composed of four lines. This hallmark wine is similarly composed of four grape varieties: Merlot 34%, Syrah 29%, Cabernet Franc 22% Cabernet Sauvignon 15%. John Simes, Mission Hill Family Estate’s Chief Winemaker, has carefully crafted the 2008 vintage of this exquisite wine. The grapes were selected from the best blocks within our estates in Oliver and Osoyoos. They were hand harvested, hand sorted, and gravity filled in small lots to French oak fermenters. After extended maceration, the free run wine and a portion of lightly basket pressed wine was aged separately in a selection of French and American oak barrels for 15 months.
Vintage Report
The late spring and delayed bud burst notwithstanding, a dry June, steady summer warmth and picture-perfect autumn weather made for an early harvest of exceptional quality. The hottest August and September on record were counterbalanced by an unprecedented Arctic outflow on October 10th, which brought vintage 2009 to a swift conclusion requiring patience, steadfastness and resourcefulness from our picking crews. Harvest for Quatrain took place in our southern vineyards in Osoyoos and Oliver. These estate vineyards feature a dry growing season with hot summer days tempered by cool nights. The high day-night temperature differential averageof 15 degrees Celsius (59 Farenheit) in the weeks before harvest trigger a high concentration of polyphenols, creating wines with great flavour and colour intensity. New state-of-the-art receiving facilities enabled varieties to be harvested with careful efficiency at optimum ripeness.
Tasting Notes
The 2009 Quatrain is full bodied, yet soft and approachable with fine tannins and a round, fruit forward palate. Merlot and Syrah blend seamlessly and are from the finest parcels along the Black Sage and Osoyoos Benches. Notes of plum, dark cherry, blueberries and pepper fill the glass, along with subtle hints of licorice, clove, tobacco and vanilla. This well-structured wine displays fine tannins and bright acidity to frame its exotic spice and ripe fruit notes.
Winemaker’s Notes
| 30% Merlot, 30% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc | |
| 13.5% Alc. | R.S. Dry | T.A. 5.9 g/l | 750mL | |
| Oaked: | Aged in French and American oak barrels for 15 months |
| Harvest: | October 2009 |
| Vineyards: | Oliver & Osoyoos |
