Fool's Mate Chardonnay 2014, Oliver, BC - Checkmate Artisanal Winery
Tasted July 10th 2021
Note: This is a regional expression showing what the Southern Okanagan has to offer. With a blend of wines maturing in oak and concrete egg. It’s crisp, rich, complex and uniquely Checkmate.
First Impression: Expressive, Complex yet very approachable.
Flavours: A suite of what Okanagan Chardonnay has to offer: perfumed apple, lemon, lime, peach, melon, exotic Indian spices, butter, and nougat.
Structure: Medium plus acidity, pronounced intensity of flavours, medium+ body and a long finish.
Producer: Checkmate Artisanal Winery, Oliver, BC, Canada
Location: Multi-regional blend taken from southern Okanagan Valley
51% Jagged Rock Vineyard, Black Sage Bench
19% Sunset Vineyard, Black Sage Bench
7% Border Vista Vineyard, Osoyoos East Bench
15% Dekleva Vineyard, Golden Mile Bench DVA
8% Combret Vineyard, Golden Mile Bench DVA
Elevation: 1040 ft - 1319 ft / 317 m - 402 m
Harvest: Hand-picked at night
Fermentation: 67% wild fermentation
Aging: 85% French oak (42% new); 15% Concrete Egg; aged for 16 months
Clonal Selection: Dijon 76, Dijon 95, Dekleva, Combret
Technicals: 14.3% ABV / TA 5.57 / pH 3.35
Production: 32 Barrels; 2 Concrete Eggs
Read more on “The Way We Taste” to learn more about how we evaluate wines.