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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Blue Grouse Estate Pinot Noirtext
89POINTS
16¼/20

Blue Grouse Estate Pinot Noir 2016

Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2016 follows on the 2015 mixing 85/15 pinot noir and gamay all from Vancouver Island. The pinot noir clone is unknown although it is said to be one of the last vine imports into Canada from France prior to quarantine regulations in the early 1990s. At 13.8 percent it is almost refreshing, the nose is fragrant and pinot-like. It’s not as dark as last year but it’s spicy and the acidity is bright. The attack is mouth filling with notes of cedar, black cherries and better fine-grained tannins this year. The fruit is hand-harvested; yields sit around 2-tons to the acre. The vines grow on heavy clay-loam soils with minimal irrigation. The pinot noir and gamay is aged separately and aged 18 months in new (16% new) plus two and three-year-old wood. The grapes are blended at the final assemblage and bottled and aged 12 months in neutral French and American oak. Stylish and making a positive Island statement.Tasted: 13 October 2018Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:
BC$27.00750mlwinery direct, private wine shops
Producer: Blue Grouse Estate WineryDistributors: Coastal Craft Beverages
Vintage West Wine Marketing
Grape: Pinot NoirCSPC: 932111UPC: 626990329138