Blue Mountain is not only one of my favourite wineries in the Okanagan, but they're also the winery I respect the most. They do things the right way – from vineyard to bottle. It starts with estate fruit that's sustainably farmed with precision. They even have a nursery on-site to graft vines for new plantings, a real rarity in the industry.
It's about controlling their destiny. In that sense, they are the epitome of a family-owned winery. The second generation, led by winemaker Matt Mavety and sales and marketing manager Christie Mavety, has now taken the reins – and they've raised the bar to another level.
The wines somehow keep getting better and better. Every year, Matt seems to find another level, even when you think it's not possible. Except when, well, it's not. That was the case with the challenging 2021 vintage, which was marred by nearby wildfires. Blue Mountain made the difficult decision to not bottle a single wine.
To be clear, some thrilling Okanagan wines are going to be released from the 2021 vintage. Some sub-regions were more affected by wildfires than others. But many smoky wines are also going to be released. That's okay; they're not necessarily bad wines. However, you don't lead by comprising, and that's what Blue Mountain has demonstrated time and time again.
-GM
Tasting Note
Blue Mountain has taken Gamay seriously for awhile now, as evidenced by the 13-31 year old vines at their estate, and they've honed a distinct style. It's flinty, savoury, and spicy, with a faint hint of oak after aging for 12 months in older puncheons. And it's still bursting with fruit, led by raspberry and spiced blackberry, making this really attractive and seamless. It's juicy, fresh, and easy to enjoy now, but the structured, Pinot-like styling means the best is still to come.
Food Pairing
Charcuterie such as saucisson or pork terrine or smoked duck breast