One of a trio of single block Pinot Noirs Blue Mountain has recently released, this one comes from 30-year-old vines planted on rocky gravel and sandy loam soils with notable clay deposits. The block has a westerly-southern exposures.
It is my favourite of the trio, while the structure shows its firmer soils, the aromas are outstanding and very pretty. Expect juicy cherries and raspberries, dried violets and star anise aromas to roll into a palate that enters with suppleness, then grows more spicy and firm. The tannins here are the most telling; firm and textural but they will smooth out with time.

The Block 23-Riverflow: Spicy, savoury and salty with tart wild berries, smoked spices, forest floor and bittersweet cocoa aromas. Powerful in structure with a silky texture and masculine leaning, it is however, also well balanced and stylish with distinct bacon fat flavours.
The Block 19-Wild Terrain: Spicy and herbal with sour cherry and tart wild berries and tealeaf aromas it morphs into a tightly wound, more focused and austere palate. Impressive acidity and fine sooty tannins round it out.
©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 3rd, 2019

One of a trio of single block Pinot Noirs Blue Mountain has recently released, this one hails from vines planted on a steep wind and sun-exposed site with loamy sand soils. Spicy and herbal with sour cherry and tart wild berries and tealeaf aromas it morphs into a tightly wound, more focused and austere palate. Impressive acidity and fine sooty tannins round it out.
The Block 14-Gravel Force: Is my favourite of the trio, while the structure shows its firmer soils, the aromas are outstanding and very pretty. Expect juicy cherries and raspberries, dried violets and star anise aromas to roll into a palate that enters with suppleness, then grows more spicy and firm. The tannins here are the most telling; firm and textural but they will smooth out with time.

The Block 23-Riverflow: Spicy, savoury and salty with tart wild berries, smoked spices, forest floor and bittersweet cocoa aromas. Powerful in structure with a silky texture and masculine leaning, it is however, also well balanced and stylish with distinct bacon fat flavours.
©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 3rd, 2019

One of a trio of single block Pinot Noirs Blue Mountain has recently released, this one comes from vines planted in 1994 on sandy loam soils. The block has a northern exposure and eastern-facing slopes.
It is spicy, savoury and salty with tart wild berries, smoked spices, forest floor and bittersweet cocoa aromas. Powerful in structure with a silky texture and masculine leaning, it is however, also well balanced and stylish with distinct bacon fat flavours.

The Block 14-Gravel Force:Is my favourite of the trio, while the structure shows its firmer soils, the aromas are outstanding and very pretty. Expect juicy cherries and raspberries, dried violets and star anise aromas to roll into a palate that enters with suppleness, then grows more spicy and firm. The tannins here are the most telling; firm and textural but they will smooth out with time.

The Block 19-Wild Terrain: Spicy and herbal with sour cherry and tart wild berries and tealeaf aromas it morphs into a tightly wound, more focused and austere palate. Impressive acidity and fine sooty tannins round it out.

©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 3rd, 2019

This special vintage sparkling is made from 100% Chardonnay that rested sur lie (on the yeast from the secondary fermentation) for 5 years, to add complexity.
It is a chic bubbly with fresh citrus, yellow apples and leesy notes supported with toasted brioche and nougat. Very good complexity, racy acidity and lively lemony flavours. Pristine and tangy with a fine bead and creamy edges.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 23rd, 2013

Exciting, powerful, profound.
Blue Mountain sets incredibly high standards for the Canadian traditional method sparkling wine category. Their family estate is well established, their conscientious viticulture and winemaking practices come from a solid understanding of what works for their site, and their fervent belief in who they are (as an estate) comes through in each and every wine they make.
Undeniably electric, and made entirely from select estate Chardonnay grapes, it is aged, after bottle fermentation, for 5.5 years on lees to add complexity, then it was disgorged in August 2017. A lemony focus is rounded out with yellow apples, toasted nuts and fine spice. The palate is exacting, with notable tension that is offset by a creamy texture.

As reviewed in Vines Mag, Winter 2018.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 14th, 2018