The bottom line here is that all these Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are exceptional.
The portfolio of five 2022 vintage Pinot Noirs and four Chardonnays from Blue Mountain Winery in Okanagan Falls have lots of names from estate cuvee and reserve cuvee to single vineyard Blossom Slope, Alluvium Reflection, Wild Terrain, Gravel Force and River Flow and blocks 17, 32, 9, 14 and 23.
You can delve into the minute of it or you can simply drink the wines and enjoy.
"We've been growing Pinot and Chard since our inception in the mid-1980s," said Blue Mountain director of marketing Christie Mavety.
"We chose those varietals because they are specifically suited to this site -- a bit of elevation, nice exposure and protected, tucked up against a hill."
Blue Mountain has always produced ridiculously good Pinot and Chard -- mostly under its Estate Cuvee labels that see grapes from all of the winery's vineyards blended for consistent excellence.
With the 2022 vintage, Blue Mountain took it up several notches with the reintroduction of its Reserve Cuvee label for both Pinot and Chard and the debut of both Pinots and Chards made of grapes from specific vineyards and even certain blocks within the vineyards.
"Adding single vineyard wines to our offerings gives long-time customers a chance to really lean into what's happening on our site," explained Mavety.
"But, it also gives new customers lots of choice, too."
Blue Mountain is a real family affair.
Christie, as previously mentioned, is the director of marketing, her brother, Matt, is the winemaker and their parents, Ian and Jane, are the founders that started growing grapes decades ago and launched the winery in 1991.
Besides being Pinot and Chard heavy, the winery makes four Champagne-style sparkling wines, a Pinot Gris, a Pinot Blanc, a Sauvignon Blanc and a Gamay Noir.
"Our site suits Pinot and Chard, so, of course, I enjoy those wines, but I'm also a fan of Gamay and Pinot Blanc," added Christie.
Blue Mountain's 2022 vintage Chards and Pinots:
- Estate Cuvee Chardonnay ($30)
The winery's entry-level (and sensational) Chard.
- Reserve Cuvee Chardonnay ($40)
Rich and creamy.
- Blossom Slope Single Vineyard Block 17 Chardonnay ($50)
From 29-year-old vines with lively minerality and a floral nose.
- Alluvium Reflection Single Vineyard Block 32 Chardonnay ($50)
Named for the fan-shaped alluvium deposits of gravelly materials in the vineyard that give the wine a citrus creaminess.
- Estate Cuvee Pinot Noir ($35)
Again, the entry-level for the varietal that's extraordinary.
- Reserve Cuvee Pinot Noir ($45)
The step up, all-purpose Pinot.
- Wild Terrain Single Vineyard Block 9 Pinot Noir ($55)
From the winery's most extreme topography comes a complex Pinot that's both delicate and bold.
- Gravel Force Single Vineyard Block 14 Pinot Noir ($55)
Overt and masculine from the aptly named rocky, gravel vineyard
- River Flow Single Vineyard Block 23 Pinot Noir ($55)
Delicate and gentle like a softly flowing river.
Nk'Mip fundraiser tomorrow
North America's first Indigenous-owned winery, Nk'Mip in Osoyoos, is hosting its second annual fundraiser to support the Indian Residential School Survivors Society on Saturday from 6 to 9 pm.
The indoors-outdoors event features a traditional welcome smudge ceremony, canapes and paired Nk'Mip wines at several stations, silent auction and performances by three-time World Champion hoop dancer Dallas Arcand from Alberta and drumming by Osoyoos Indian Band member Kix Hall.
The fundraiser is also timed to be a couple of days before Monday's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Tickets are $99 at https://www.
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at [email protected]. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.
