Checkmate Fool's Mate Chardonnay 2022

This complex and multi-layered white wine originates from Canada, specifically from the premier Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. CheckMate Artisanal Winery was founded with the goal of creating world-class Chardonnays that rival the best in Burgundy and Napa. "Fool's Mate" is unique as the winery’s only multi-vineyard Chardonnay, meticulously blended from four distinct estate sites in 2022: Dekleva-Combret (Golden Mile Bench), Sunset (Black Sage Bench), Jagged Rock (Black Sage Bench), and Border Vista (Osoyoos East Bench). The winemaking philosophy focuses on capturing the complexity of these diverse terroirs through a mix of wild and inoculated fermentations.

Wine Description

CheckMate Fool's Mate Chardonnay 2022 presents a bright appearance with a sophisticated sensory profile. The nose is "intoxicating," featuring aromas of orchard fruits, citrus, and melon, layered with subtle notes of minerals and a "wet stone" undercurrent. On the palate, the wine is rich and textural, showcasing flavours of pears and apricots mixed with stone fruit and a hint of vanilla. It is characterized by a "tightening" fresh acidity and a long, persistent finish that develops into "early morning bakery notes" such as brioche and toasted nuts. The 2022 blend was matured in a combination of French oak barriques (66%, half of which were new) and larger foudres (34%), resulting in an ABV of approximately 13.6% to 14%. All estate vineyards are certified organic as of 2021.