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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Queen Taken Chardonnaytext
91POINTS
16¾/20

CheckMate Artisanal Winery Queen Taken Chardonnay 2013

Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaQueen Taken is a single vineyard wine located southwest of the town of Oliver, beneath Mt. Kobau and the Thompson Plateau on the Golden Mile Bench DVA. It was initially tagged the Heritage Vineyard in 2013, but ever since, it was named the Dekleva Vineyard in honour of the family that first planted the unknown chardonnay clone now more than 40 years ago. The west side valley soils are predominantly a gravel-based mix of coarse Stemwinder, Ponderosa, and Ratnip soils that are the washed down rubble of the fluvial fans that define the Golden Mile sub-GI below Mount Kobau. Its exposition welcomes a very early warming sunrise. At the same time, it protects the fruit from baking in the late day thanks to the early evening shadows cast by Kobau, thus extending the ripening season while retaining its bright acidity: an Okanagan Valley signature. Queen Taken 2013 has an odd mix of aromatics and richness, although at this point, it is the more decadent fatter style and butterscotch that are winning out. It is time to drink this inaugural release that has given its all up until now. Full malolactic is behind some of that richness, but it is mostly time slipping away. Drink this up by next spring and move forward with younger vintages.Tasted: 29 August 2020Tasted by: Prices:
BC$125.00750mlwinery club members
Producer: CheckMate Artisanal WineryDistributors: Mark Anthony Wines and Spirits
Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 514984UPC: 776545800183