wine review: 1 Mill Road Home Block Pinot Noir 2022, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

May 2024

Matt’s review: Nestled in one of the most picturesque settings you’ll discover along the Naramata Bench you’ll find 1 Mill Road’s ‘Home Block’ vineyard where they produce their impressive Home Block Pinot Noir. This small vineyard is perched on a cliff above the shores of Lake Okanagan with its sun-drenched southwest aspect that encourages great fruit ripening, but it’s the sage-lined amphitheater that sets it apart and plays a major role contributing to the unique terroir of this Okanagan Cru vineyard in-the-making. Home Block is planted exclusively with Dijon Clone 115 producing compact clusters that provide impressive aromatic complexity, finesse, structure, and overall balance in the finished wines. 2022 Home Block shows dark cherry, plum, earthy notes, graphite and some delicate spices on the nose. A deeply coloured Pinot, with great aromatic intensity and overall structure, it’s medium+ bodied with supple tannins – characteristics from both the Dijon 115 clone and the enhanced fruit-ripening features of the Home Block vineyard which protects from early spring frost and ensures full ripening even in the cooler vintages such as 2022. Beautifully integrated fine grained tannins highlight both the vineyard characteristics but also the winemakers touch in capturing the best expression of this Pinot through mindful winemaking practices including delicate pressing and use of large oak vessels (2100 L Foudres) to appropriately frame without masking the wine. 2022 sees the new winemaker’s style deliver an expressive Home Block Pinot leaning towards elegance and away from opulence. 12.9% ABV producing a very fresh and sessionable wine you’ll want to enjoy now and over the next several years. Limited quantities may get in your way of trying this much anticipated follow-up to the great 2020 vintage, so check it out sooner than later. Tasted May 2024. 94 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

Available winery-direct 1MillRoad.ca