Blue Mountain 2018 Block 23 - River Flow Pinot Noir

Anthony Gismondi - www.gismondionwine.com (August 2020)

Blue Mountain revamped its pinot noir program in 2017, choosing to add three single vineyard labels that are really more like individual blocks. Block 23, or River Flow, is a north facing, eastern sloping section of vineyard planted to Dijon clones 113 and 114. It is own rooted, and now 26 years old. The winemaking is more or less that same as the Reserve: destemmed fruit undergoes a 3 week maceration, gentle pigeage, and native fermentation before transferring to new through 4th fill 228L French barrels, where it remains for 17-18 months. The style is fresher and cooler than Gravel Force but with similar meaty, barnyard undertones. The red fruit notes and more prominent acidity give it a brighter, more elegant style. Still young, this will age for six to eight years with little problem. Serve now with a splash decant and roasted chicken. 92 points. 

David Lawrason - www.winealign.com (August 2020)

With the 2017 vintage Blue Mountain launched a range of three single block pinots within their large estate that ranges over several terraces above Vaseaux Lake. This River Flow site is on alluvial soils closest to the lake. It is quite pale, feels light and shows classic cool climate currant/sour cherry fruit. There is also some wood smokiness, toast, evergreen and herbality on the nose. It is mid-weight (13%), tart-edged yet texturally streamlined on the mid-palate, with a slightly green cranberry/currant finish. The length is excellent. Tasted August 2020. 93 points.

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Blue Mountain 2017 Block 23 - River Flow Pinot Noir

 

David Lawrason - www.winealign.com (May 2020)

In 2017, for the first time, Blue Mountain bottled three different blocks of pinot noir. River Flow comes from a higher elevation, almost north facing but east tilting site with sandy loam soils. There is a wonderful, very catchy floral, blueberry, cranberry jam dominance on the nose framed by subtle oak smoke, spice and toast. The drenching fruit continues onto the palate with sheer glee. It is medium weight, very smooth yet precise and buoyed by great acidity. Tannins are very fine. The length is outstanding. Rarely have I experienced this kind of fruit exuberance and depth in Canadian pinot. 96 Points.