Blue Mountain N/V Gold Label Brut 750ml

Will this be the year someone catches up to this reliable sparkler I think is a benchmark for everyday sparkling wine? Given its modest price and refined styling, I doubt it. Lemons, apples, and subtle red berries spearhead a palate of toasted hazelnuts and early morning bakery notes. It spends two full years on its lees, constructing texture and mouthfeel that adds enough complexity to please the serious bubble drinker without scaring the novice. The dosage is more or less 8 g/L, adding to its drinkability upon bottling, but I have enjoyed many bottles aged three to five more years and beyond. A bubble for any occasion.

Score: 90 points -- Anthony Gismondi, Gismondi On Wine