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93POINTS
17¼/20
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Queen Taken Chardonnay 2015
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. There's lots of finesse here, with some surprisingly piquant notes, ripe melons, and even a touch of rosewater to round out the palate. It was a fire year, but winemaker Philip McGahan picked early and got the fresher result he was looking for from the fruit. It should be fun to watch this age. Love the intensity and power, but as mentioned, with a certain Okanagan savoury finesse. It is in a perfect place now.Tasted: 29 August 2020Tasted by: Prices:| BC | $125.00 | 750ml | winery club members |
Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 514984UPC: 776545801098
