Blue Mountain Estate Cuvée Chardonnay 2018

Blue Mountain Estate Cuvée Chardonnaytext

91POINTS

16^¾/20

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYear two of French only oak ageing continues to give this label a leg up over a lot of competitors in the local chardonnay market. It also adds another dimension to the flavour profile. The mix of new and older barriques, puncheons, and a foudre, adds another layer of complexity and its not vanilla and butter. The vines range from one to three decades on the estate vineyard. Fresh and leesy with lemon curd, pear, and hazelnuts, all mixed with creamy, attractive textures. Love the value too.Tasted: 03 February 2020Tasted by: Prices:

BC	$28.00	750ml	winery direct, private wine shops
AB	$27.95	750ml	private wine shops
ON	$24.95	750ml	Rogers & Co
QC	$23.95	750ml	Vinealis
NB	$26.00	750ml
MB	$26.00	750ml

Producer: Blue Mountain Vineyard & CellarsDistributors: Keystone Fine Wines
Rogers & Company
Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 350108UPC: 626452301184

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89POINTS

16^¼/20

Blue Mountain Estate Cuvée Chardonnay 2018

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis year's Estate Cuvée Chardy continues in the same vein as last year: a mix of clones and vines 12-29 years, whole cluster, native fermented and aged in foudres, 228L, and 500L French oak, with partial MLF. After 13 months, the wines were blended and bottled in fall 2019. The wood presence is felt, with ample pencil shavings, big toast, and swirls of vanilla throughout this medium bodied, creamy chardy. They play up against ripe pear, green apple, white peach, lemon pulp and hardy shakes of sea salt that linger on the finish. At this youthful stage, still coming together, but all the stuffing is there to produce another classic BM Chardy.Tasted: 14 February 2020Tasted by: Prices:

BC	$28.00	750ml	winery direct, private wine shops
AB	$27.95	750ml	private wine shops
ON	$24.95	750ml	Rogers & Co
QC	$23.95	750ml	Vinealis
NB	$26.00	750ml
MB	$26.00	750ml

Producer: Blue Mountain Vineyard & CellarsDistributors: Keystone Fine Wines
Rogers & Company
Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 350108UPC: 626452301184

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90POINTS

16^½/20

Blue Mountain Estate Cuvée Chardonnay 2018

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStylistically, this continues the change in direction for Blue Mountain’s chardonnay: it’s the second vintage to have been aged solely in French oak, as opposed to a combination of oak and stainless steel. That’s not to say this is an overtly oaky style of chardonnay, because it’s not. Using a combination of new and older barriques, puncheons, and a foudre, it strikes a wonderful balance between fruit and barrel. The winery doesn’t list the percentage of new oak, but it doesn’t strike me as high. Rather, the emphasis is on showcasing the 12-29 year-old vines at Blue Mountain’s estate vineyard. It seems like they’ve fine-tuned the approach, perhaps also benefiting from the relatively cool 2018 vintage. It’s almost Meursault-like in style, with lemon curd, kernel, and a touch of toasty oak in the background. The palate is rich and creamy, but still bright, leading to a slightly tart finish. Excellent value.Tasted: 12 February 2020Tasted by: Prices:

BC	$28.00	750ml	winery direct, private wine shops
AB	$27.95	750ml	private wine shops
ON	$24.95	750ml	Rogers & Co
QC	$23.95	750ml	Vinealis
NB	$26.00	750ml
MB	$26.00	750ml

Producer: Blue Mountain Vineyard & CellarsDistributors: Keystone Fine Wines
Rogers & Company
Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 350108UPC: 626452301184

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91/100Blue Mountain Estate Cuvée Chardonnay 2022Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

90/100Blue Mountain Estate Cuvée Chardonnay 2020Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

91/100Blue Mountain Estate Cuvée Chardonnay 2019Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada