Lightning Rock Elysia Blanc de Noir 750ml

One of two traditional method, single vineyard Blanc de Noirs released by winemaker Jordan Kubek (nee Okanagan Crush Pad), Elysia Vineyard's vines grow over a mix of limestone and weathered granite on a steep sloping bench. Like Canyonview, it's an all pinot noir bubble, whole cluster pressed into neutral oak puncheons where it goes through wild primary fermentation and malolactic fermentation. Unfined and unfiltered, it is tiraged and bottled in January 2020. The style is slightly more intense than Canyonview, with brighter acidity and persistent lemon and red fruit. The finish is clean and salty with a touch of the desert scrub herbaceousness that only adds to the mystery. We served it with a Margherita pizza to great delight, but salty potato chips seem like a good bet too.

Score: 91 points -- Anthony Gismondi, gismondionwine.com, 2021 (2019 vintage)