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94POINTS
17½/20
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Attack Chardonnay 2018
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAttack has consistently been among the best Checkmate labels every year. It is a co-ferment of Dijon clones and the Dekleva clone – 1/3 Dekleva, 1/3 Clone 76 from Jagged Rock on the Black Sage Bench near Oliver, and one-third Clone 76 from Border Vista Vineyard on the Osoyoos East Bench. 2018 was fermented and aged just under 500 days in a single, new French oak foudre. The foudre sets this chardonnay free, beginning with a fresh saline/seaside aroma and flavour that permeates the wine. The structure is fresh with a reductive/minerality note that adds a bit of tightness to a very pure fruited chardonnay. The density and persistence can surprise you, as does the complexity that suggests it could age effortlessly through the next seven to ten years. We like to call it next world BC chardonnay. The 2018 edition comes in at 14.1 alcohol which perfectly suits its creamy textures and persistent length. Winemaker Phil McGahan says the move to organic farming is complete at all the Checkmate vineyards, and by the end of 2021, all the fruit will be certified organic.Tasted: 12 June 2021Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:| BC | $115.00 | 750ml | winery direct, restaurants, select private wine shops |
Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 798280UPC: 776545802491
