Gold Label Brut Sparkling

Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut Sparkling

Susan Desjardins - www.winecurrent.com (January 2021)

Blue Mountain is well known for its quality, both in sparkling wines and pinot noir. Produced in the ‘traditional method’ and aged 24 months on the lees, this dry, pale-gold blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot gris displays alluring aromas of butter biscuit, pear, ripe apple and citrus. The refreshing mousse has a fine, creamy texture while the palate offers vivid citrus and light, tree-fruit flavours. Light-medium bodied, the wine is in fine balance with a crisp, lengthy aftertaste. With so few wines from the Okanagan finding their way here, you won’t want to miss this one. 89 points.

Natalie MacLean - www.nataliemaclean.com (January 2021)

This crisp and refreshing sparkling wine is a blend of about 60% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and a splash of Pinot Gris grapes, and is designated BC VQA. It spent two years resting on its lees to give it richness and creaminess that challenges the best of N.V. Champagnes. A zesty, refreshing bubbly with vibrant green apple notes. Clean finish. Great price. It offers low alcohol but lots of taste and a persistent mousse. Pair with oysters and mussels.
Scrumptious Seafood Wine. 93 points.

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

The Gold Label Brut is a classic BC sparkler that over-delivers most every release, and has been instrumental in the growing cadre of sparkling wine producers around the province. Made using the traditional method, the 53/43/4 blend of pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot gris spends an ideal 24 months on its lees. It is then allowed to hang around the winery another nine months to pull itself together after disgorgement. Just enough fruit to offset the leesy, toasty notes that give it the gravitas of real sparkling wine. The dosage comes in at 8 g/L, adding enough sweetness to balance any bitter notes, giving it broad appeal. It's a bargain at $28 and certainly sets the tone for a sparkling that rings all the bells. 90 points.

Treve Ring - www.gismondionwine.com (July 2020)

This BC classic comes from the 2016 vintage, and this year blends 53/43/4 of estate pinot noir / chardonnay / pinot gris. All are whole cluster pressed, and fermented separately before blending. Post ferment, this spends 24 months on lees, and nine months in bottle prior to release. Tight and toasty, with green apple, crisp red apple, biscuit, lemon peel, and a gentle anise blossom on the finish. Acidity is tight and bright, streaming this to a snappy finish. Classic for a reason. 90 points.

Geoffrey Moss - www.gismondionwine.com (July 2020)

Labelled non-vintage, this traditional method sparkling wine is from the 2016 vintage. The 53/43/4 blend of pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot gris is aged on its lees for 24 months, before resting in bottle post-disgorgement for up to nine months prior to release. The pinot noir is quite forward this year, bringing red apple and crunchy raspberry that sits alongside golden-hued fruit. It has nice depth, and is rounded out by a good amount of toasty autolytic character. The chardonnay gives this a good amount of verve, though the 8 g/L dosage still gives a touch of sweetness to the finish. You have to look twice at the price, because it’s hard to believe this is only $28. Recommended. 90 points.

Daenna Van Mulligen - www.winediva.ca & www.winescores.ca (July 2020)

Creamy, pristine, fresh.
Blue Mountain has long been known for their estate grown, traditional method sparkling wines and the value in each bottle--they've nailed the fizz genre.
Their classic brut is 53% Pinot Noir 43% Chardonnay and 4% Pinot Gris, and was aged sur lie for 24 months before being disgorged August 2019.
Peach crumble, yellow apples, bread dough and hazelnut aromas are woven with lemon and faint tart berry notes. Creamy with a fine bead it is refined and stylish, pristine and lengthy. Flavours of toast, golden fruit and citrus line the palate. 91 points.

Natalie MacLean - www.nataliemaclean.com (May 2020)

This crisp and refreshing sparkling wine is a blend of about 60% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and a splash of Pinot Gris grapes. It spent two years resting on its lees to give it richness and creaminess that challenges the best of N.V. Champagnes. A zesty, refreshing bubbly with vibrant green apple notes. Clean finish. Great price. It offers low alcohol but lots of taste and a persistent mousse. Pair with oysters and mussels. 93 points.

Treve Ring - www.gismondionwine.com (September 2018)

The standard for a reason, and the latest release of Gold Label Brut doesn't disappoint. In fact, it feels even sprightlier and livelier than ever. The latest release is based on 2015 fruit and disgorged in March 2018 - key intel on the back label. Okanagan Falls estate pinot noir and chardonnay is splashed with five percent pinot gris before two years on the lees. All are whole cluster pressed, and fermented separately before blending. Lemon zest leads this NV, with green apple, light biscuit, chalk across a nimble, lemony palate. Lively, bright and complete, striking a perfect chord between the bright acidity and the 8 g/l RS, this is deserving of its classic status and one of Canada's best bubbles, year after year. 90 Points.

John Schreiner - www.johnschreiner.blogspot.ca (September 2018)

This bottle-fermented sparkling wine is made with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a little Pinot Blanc. The wine was aged 14 months on the lees before being disgorged. It is crisp and dry, with aromas of citrus and brioche. On the palate, there are flavours of apple, citrus and brioche. The lively mousse gives the wine a creamy texture on the palate. 92.

Susan Desjardins - www.winecurrent.com (November 2017)

Blue Mountain is well known for its quality, both in sparkling wines and pinot noir. Produced in the traditional method and aged 24 months on the lees, this dry, pale-gold blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot gris displays alluring aromas of butter biscuit, pear, ripe apple and citrus. The refreshing mousse has a fine, creamy texture while the palate offers vivid citrus and light, tree-fruit flavours. Light-medium bodied, the wine is in fine balance with a crisp, lengthy aftertaste. With so few wines from the Okanagan finding their way here, you won’t want to miss this one. 

Beppi Crosariol - The Globe and Mail (November 2017)

A blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris, with a very faint and attractive coppery tint (though you could consider it technically white). Bone-dry. Well-chiseled. Bright and energetic. With lemon, strawberry and peach flavours on a delicate frame, closing with a hint of minerality. Elegant and serious B.C. bubbles. Available in the West at $27.90 and in Ontario at the above price.  SCORE: 92

Treve Ring - www.gismondionwine.com (Oct 2017)

The standard for a reason, and the latest release of Gold Label Brut doesn't disappoint. In fact, it feels even sprightlier and livelier than ever. The latest release is based on 2014 fruit and disgorged in March 2017 - key intel on the back label. Okanagan Falls estate pinot noir and chardonnay is splashed with five percent pinot gris before two years on the lees. All are whole cluster pressed, and fermented separately before blending. Lemon zest leads this NV, with green apple, light biscuit, chalk across a nimble, lemony palate. Lively, bright and complete, striking a perfect chord between the bright acidity and the 8 g/l RS, this is deserving of its classic status and one of Canada's best bubbles, year after year. 91 Points

Anthony Gismondi - www.gismondionwine.com (July 2017)

The latest Gold Label Brut stays the course blending 56/39/5 pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris, pressing the bunches whole and fermenting each variety separately before putting them all together on the lees for two years. After dégorgement they give the wine another six to nine months of bottle rest. This is a wine for wine drinkers. Fresh, nutty and suitably mineral with green apple, crisp pear and Meyer lemon that finishes dry and salty with lively acidity. Oysters are the match.

Daenna Van Mulligen - www.winediva.ca (July 2017)

Focus, racy, fresh.  Blue Mountain has long been known for their estate grown, traditional method sparkling wines and the value in each bottle. This one is a 2014 vintage, it was disgorged March 2017 and is made as it typically is, with a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a splash of Pinot Gris.  It is a fresh dose of apple skin and orange zest, red forest berries and racy lemon aromas atop leesy notes, mineral layers and just a whiff of honeysuckle. It has a lively mousse, lovely weight and appreciable focus. Tangy, mouthwatering, and persistent.

Bill Zacharkiw - www.winealign.com (June 2017)

Richer textured bubbly that shows a lot of fruit, almost verging on tropical. Maybe that's the Pinot Gris? But interesting and elegant enough. Good for a meal.

John Schreiner - www.johnschreiner.blogspot.ca (April 2017)

This elegant but inexpensive bubbly has New Year’s Eve written all over it. The wine, with fine, persistent bubbles, is crisp on entry and on the finish but with a creamy mid-palate. There is a hint of bready aromas and flavours of fresh apples and citrus. The finish is refreshing. 90.

Liam Carrier - www.iconscores.blogspot.ca (January 2017)

Look for fresh apple pie, lemon meringue and seashell aromas followed by a crisp, mineral-infused mouthfeel with flavours of lemon/lime, unpasteurised honey, peaches, stainless steel and light herbs. Finishes dry with lingering lemon rind and mineral notes. An absolute steal at under $25. Drink now or hold for 5-7 more years.
#1 on List of Top 20 Values of 2016. 91.

Michael Godel - www.winealign.com (January 2017)

When the non-vintage Sparkling is completely reminiscent of recently tasted vintage-dated bottles from the same house, that’s a good thing. Matt Mavety’s Brut is all Blue Mountain and here almost a hyperbole of the R.D.’s, with exaggerated gingery and bronzing to golds notes and tones. Something about this Gold Label reminds me of dried golden (Thompson) raisins and warm, coppery wire. It’s also filled with skin aromatics, from red apples to sweet and sour caramelizing vidalia onion, bosc pear to zesty lemon. The acidity is spot on. Delicious stuff. Drink 2017-2020. Tasted January 2017. 90 points

Susan Desjardins - www.winecurrent.com (November 2015)

Blue Mountain is well known for its quality, both in sparkling wines and Pinot Noir. Produced in the traditional method and aged 24 months on the lees, this dry, pale-gold blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris displays alluring aromas of butter biscuit, pear, ripe apple and citrus. The refreshing mousse has a fine, creamy texture, while the palate offers vivid citrus and light tree-fruit flavours. Light-medium bodied, the wine is in fine balance with a crisp, lengthy aftertaste. With so few wines from the Okanagan finding their way here, you won’t want to miss this one.

Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson - Winnipeg Free Press (January 2015)

This Okanagan Falls-area winery has a reputation for killer bubbly, and this wine is no exception. Mineral, pear, bread dough, fresh floral and bruised apple notes on the nose are complex; on the palate those notes carry though, with a slight honey note that balances the racy effervescence and crisp acidity nicely. It has great finesse -- the Blue Mountain could easily be mistaken for non-vintage French Champagne in a blind tasting. Picked up at Banville & Jones. 4.5/5

Treve Ring - Eat Magazine (December 2014)

This edition of Gold Label Brut NV was based on 2010 fruit and disgorged March 2013, a helpful note added to the back label providing consumers with a glimpse of maturing/aging of the wine. Pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris are whole cluster pressed, fermented separately and then blended and left sur lie for 24 months. After dégorgement, an additional 6-9 months rest. The result, BC’s most consistent,  classic and impressive sparkling wine year over year. Light dough, nuts and stone aromas lead to a crisp and nimble palate. Green apple, crisp pear, Meyer lemon, lemon rind, herbed salt and stone come together in lip-smacking raciness. Lively acidity, mineral driven finish, with a gentle cushion of pinot gris fruitiness to carry. Pair with oysters, spot prawns, moules frites. 90.

Natalie Maclean - nataliemaclean.com (December 2014)

This crisp and refreshing sparkling wine is a blend of 61% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay and 3% Pinot Gris, and made in the Méthode Traditionnelle and is designated BC VQA. It spent two years resting on its lees to give it richness and creaminess that challenges the best of N.V. Champagnes. A zesty, refreshing bubbly with vibrant green apple notes. Clean finish. Great price. It offers low alcohol but lots of taste and a persistent mousse. What’s not to love about one of Canada’s best sparkling wines? Food pairings: seafood.93.

Beppi Crosariol - The Globe and Mail (October 2014)

Just released in Ontario Vintages stores and also available direct from the winery, this non-vintage bubbly from one of Canada’s top Champagne-style producers is superb. A blend of mostly pinot noir with chardonnay and pinot gris, it’s bone-dry, rich and creamy, with a sherry-like tang and bread-like autolysis essence. Wonderfully yeasty, honeyed depth; $23.90 direct from the B.C. winery. 93.

Treve Ring - eatmagazine.ca (September 2014)

For as long as I can remember, THE consistent gold standard for BC sparkling wine. So much so, that if I’m in a local restaurant and they don’t list Blue Mountain Brut, I have a passing heartbeat skip of skepticism.

Pinot Noir, chardonnay, pinot gris come together in this crisp, clean traditional method bubble, with 24 months on the lees before disgorgement and an additional 9 months of resting before release. Very fine bubbles and lively acid, with green apple, pear, stone, light herbs, citrus and faint nutty lees notes on the finish. So Okanagan, so good. 89.

John Schreiner - John Schreiner on wine (April 2014)

This elegant but inexpensive bubbly has New Year’s Eve written all over it. The wine, with fine, persistent bubbles, is crisp on entry and on the finish but with a creamy mid-palate. There is a hint of bready aromas and flavours of fresh apples and citrus. The finish is refreshing. 90.

Daenna Van Mulligen - winediva.ca & winescores.ca (February 2014)

Blue Mountain has long been known for their estate grown, traditional method sparkling wines - the quality remains but you'll notice a new look to the bottles. The nose exhibits fresh summer berries, yellow apples and crisp green pear with buttered pastry and toasted nutty aromas. There is an abundance of taut, racy acidity on the palate; the tartness of citrus and red currents is eased with a dollop of honey. It has a zesty, lip-smacking finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a splash of Pinot Gris. 90.

Natalie Maclean - nataliemaclean.com (January 2014)

Toasty, refreshing and complex. One of Canada's best sparkling wines. Love it! Why say more and ruin it? 93.

Tony Aspler - tonyaspler.com (January 2014)

Appearance:  straw. Nose:  citrus, nutty and mineral. Taste:  medium - weight with plenty of citrus - savoury nuances and hard acidity, not most balanced, green, almost grassy finish, perhaps a bit of time to round it. 86.

Susan Desjardins - winecurrent.com (January 2014)

Blue Mountain is well known for its quality, both in sparkling wines and Pinot Noir. Produced in the traditional method and aged 24 months on the lees, this dry, pale-gold blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris displays alluring aromas of butter biscuit, pear, ripe apple and citrus. The refreshing mousse has a fine, creamy texture, while the palate offers vivid citrus and light tree-fruit flavours. Light-medium bodied, the wine is in fine balance with a crisp, lengthy aftertaste. With so few wines from the Okanagan finding their way here, you won’t want to miss this one. 4 stars.

Michael Godel - winealign.com (January 2014)

Blue Mountain is the poster child for B.C. bubbles and this forth-righteous, tight to expansive, quintessential cool-climate Okanagan is the stalwart for the genre. The unabashed intensity in citrus acidity, zero dosage style is exactly what it should be. If you have never experienced west coast bubbles, this is the pace to start. 90

Gord Stimmell - Toronto Star (January 2014)

Best sparkling: Blue Mountain Brut (#206326, $27.95, 91+) is one of Canada’s best bubblies. This Okanagan seductress has a nose and flavours of toasty, yeasty, leesy golden apple with a fine bead of bubbles. 91+.