Mission Hill Compendium 2017

A Compendium is a compilation of concise items on a subject, in this case, the combination of soil, climate, clone selection, and hand-harvesting of grape clusters to create this unique wine. The fruit was selected from specifically designated blocks within their estate vineyards.

Compendium is a 62/29/9 mix of Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc that comes off selected blocks in Osoyoos, close to the US border. It is fermented in small French fermenters and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Compendium has grown over the years, favouring a more singular style, meshing components early on for a long run in the bottle. Even at 14.6 percent alcohol, there is a sense of balance. A late start and a hot summer shortened the crop, concentrating the berries and intensifying the flavours. The attack is quite harmonious, with cassis and black cherry mixing with licorice and dense, sweet, elegant tannins with the complexity you crave at this price point.