Silky, classic, honest

The Mavety family has been growing grapes high above Vaseaux Lake in the South Okanagan since 1971. Since 1991 they have been making their own wines under the Blue Mountain label.
It's been a few years since I've sampled this estate blend (cuvee), which is made from 15-to-16-year-old vines, clones 114, 115, 667 and 777, and aged on lees in French oak barrels.
It's a classic Pinot offering earthy, savoury aromas of small red berries, sour cherry, forest floor, spice and cedar. It's silky and honest, not flashy, with finesse and balance and flavours of tangy red fruit, saddle leather, spice and tealeaf.
©copyright 2024 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 12th, 2024

Silky, classic, elegant

The Mavety family has been growing grapes high above Vaseaux Lake in the South Okanagan since 1971. Since 1991 they have been making their own wines under the Blue Mountain label.
This estate blend (cuvee) suggests rainforest floor and wild red berries, star anise and vanilla, cocoa, star anise and tealeaf aromas. High-toned red fruit leads the palate and is layered with cocoa, tobacco and earth. Juicy and elegant with a silky texture a cedary finish. Classic.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 24th, 2020

Zesty, fresh, pristine.
Fermented and aged (maturation was 6 months) in stainless, foudre and neutral barrique, don't expect this Sauvignon Blanc to be anything like what you would expect from Marlborough. It's definitely Old World leaning with a BC backbone--a true expression of site as Blue Mountain claims. It was fermented in and then aged in stainless, neutral oak and foudre for five months before bottling. Honeyed notes are woven with gooseberry and crunchy orchard fruits, lemon curd and mineral. That minerality is echoed on the palate, it oasts snappy lime and crisp white fruit flavours. Pristine and racy with a zesty and mouthwatering finish.
©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 27th, 2023

Elegant, texture, purity.
From 16-17-year-old estate vines this elegant Sauvignon Blanc was fermented with native yeasts, and aged, in portions in oak barrel and foudre and stainless steel. The ageing was done for five months sur-lie.
Don't expect this Sauvignon Blanc to be anything like a Marlborough version. It's definitely Old World leaning with a BC backbone--a true expression of site as Blue Mountain claims.
Expect notes of straw and green apple, crunchy apricots, grass clippings, dried flowers and mineral aromas. That minerality is echoed in spades in the mouth along with lime flavours. Lovely restraint and purity here, it has texture and concentration and a long zesty finish.
©copyright 2024 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 13th, 2024

Savoury, umami, wild.
A very different beast from the 2017, which was charming and fragrant, this vintage is entirely savoury. Forest berries mingle with smoked sausage, roasted mushrooms, toasted spice and dried flowers, there is a distinct iodine/bloody undertone here. It is meaty, juicy, again savoury/umami with forest fruits, finely ground pepper, leather, tealeaf and dark cocoa lingering on the finish.
Pair: cedar planked salmon, pork tenderloin with berry sauces, grilled chicken, chorizo or soft, washed rind cheeses.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - February 10th, 2020