Knight's Challenge Chardonnay 2014, Oliver, BC - Checkmate Artisanal Winery
Tasted July 10th 2021
Note: This was the very first Chardonnay offered to us right as we entered the winery, held in Gabriel-Glas Standard Art glass. It was quite an welcome. Definitely has a certain wow factor to those who first tasted Chardonnay from Checkmate.
First Impression: Bright pale lemon colour with golden hue, elegant crisp nose with beautiful complexity.
Flavours: Ripe lime, lime zest, orange zest, peach, melon, apple cider, hints of baking spices.
Structure: Bright refreshing medium plus acidity, medium body taking the lifted flavours into the medium plus finish.
Producer: Checkmate Artisanal Winery, Oliver, BC, Canada
Location: Sunset Vineyard, Black Sage Bench
Elevation: 1040 ft - 1204 ft / 317 m - 367 m
Harvest: Hand-picked at night
Fermentation: 100% Wild ferment
Aging: 100% French Oak (45% New) for 17 months
Clonal Selection: Dijon 76, Dijon 95
Technicals: 14.4% ABV / TA 5.51 / pH 3.35
Production: 8 Barrels
Read more on “The Way We Taste” to learn more about how we evaluate wines.