One of the original Naramata Bench wineries, Hillside is believed to have released the Okanagan’s first varietal Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1990s. However, it only began making Mosaic, its flagship red blend in 2002, when all of the Bordeaux varieties were available. The wine is superbly crafted by Kelly Symonds, a Canadian-born winemaker with an enology degree from the University of Adelaide. To make this wine, she chose lots of fruit from 10 vineyards from the Naramata Bench to Osoyoos.

This wine, from one of the Okanagan’s finest vintages, begins with a fine red berry and spice aroma. With a good core of sweet fruit, the wine has a satisfying entry, with great length and a lingering finish. Aged in French oak, the wine shows long, ripe tannins, leading to an elegant texture.  The winemaker has struck a fine balance,  making the wine soft enough to be enjoyed now but with backbone for aging. She suggests this vintage of Mosaic will cellar well for the next five years.                                                                           89 points

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