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
$125.00
750ml
winery club members
Producer: CheckMate Artisanal WineryDistributors: Mark Anthony Wines and Spirits Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 514984UPC: 776545800183
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Queen Taken Chardonnay 2013
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe fruit for the 2013 Queen Taken Chardonnay comes off the Heritage Vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench, beneath Mt. Kobau and the Thompson Plateau. The vines are 35 years old, and the earth a complex mix of Stemwinder, Ponderosa and Ratnip soils. Queen Taken is a very different chardonnay. The aromatics are floral, but there is a more prosperous, peachy underpinning, perhaps a result of the 35-year old vines. 2013 was picked October 3 and 15, almost a full month after Capture and no doubt benefiting from the cooler, late afternoon shadows of Mt. Kobau. The picks were kept separate as they went through fermentation in French oak barrels with a 100 percent malolactic regime. The wine is more floral, less wild than the Capture, with wet stone and exotic flecks of ginger. Citrus marks the flavours with apricot, melon and a touch of brioche in the creamy, spicy finish. More significant and rounder than the Capture, it’s also longer and more complex. It does have an edgier feel with more spice and alcohol poking through now.Tasted: 09 April 2017Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$125.00
750ml
winery club members
Producer: CheckMate Artisanal WineryDistributors: Mark Anthony Wines and Spirits Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 514984UPC: 776545800183
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Queen Taken Chardonnay 2013
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe fruit for the 2013 Queen Taken Chardonnay comes off the Heritage Vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench, beneath Mt. Kobau and the Thompson Plateau. The vines are 35 years old and the earth a complex mix of Stemwinder, Ponderosa and Ratnip soils. Queen Taken is a very different chardonnay; the aromatics are floral but there is a richer, peachy underpinning, perhaps as a result of the 35-year old vines. The 2013 was picked October 3rd and 15th almost a full month after Capture and no doubt benefiting from the cooler, late afternoon shadows of Mt. Kobau. The picks were kept separate as they went through ferment in French oak barrels and a 100 percent malolactic regime. The wine is more floral, less wild then the Capture with wet stone and exotic flecks of ginger. Citrus marks the flavours with apricot, melon and a touch of brioche in the creamy finish. Bigger and rounder than the Capture it’s also longer and more complex. It’s just beginning to show its stuff. 200 cases. A nice statement for Golden Mile Bench.Tasted: 19 October 2015Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$125.00
750ml
winery club members
Producer: CheckMate Artisanal WineryDistributors: Mark Anthony Wines and Spirits Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 514984UPC: 776545800183