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94POINTS
17½/20
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Little Pawn Chardonnay Jagged Rock Vineyard 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLittle Pawn opens with a nutty reductive style making it one of the most intriguing Checkmate labels from the beginning. Jagged Rock Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench is the home of the fruit that is 88 percent fermented wild and entirely barrel aged in 50 percent new French oak for 16 months. Dijon 76, with its abundant stone fruit flavours, makes up 55 to 57 percent of the blend, while on the sands of the Black Sage Bench, the Dekleva clone takes on more licorice and black sage, adding complexity to the mix. 2019 was an excellent growing season, with the chardonnay unaffected by the October freeze. Year two of the organics continues to see the alcohol drop. Little Pawn came in at 13.9 percent alcohol by volume in 2019. Changing viticulture and irrigation techniques have further reduced the crop, intensifying a mix of peach, floral, rose, green tea, dusted in fennel and sea salt. Impressive, and shedding any clumsy New World notes for much-appreciated freshness and elegance.Tasted: 10 January 2022Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:| BC | $110.00 | 750ml | winery online/direct |
| BC | $250.00 | 1500ml | winery online/direct |
| BC | $620.00 | 3000ml | winery online/direct |
| BC | $1300.00 | 750ml | winery online/direct |
Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 457297UPC: 776545802828
