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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Fool's Mate Chardonnaytext
93POINTS
17¼/20

CheckMate Artisanal Winery Fool's Mate Chardonnay 2020

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFool's Mate is the only Chardonnay that comes off a blend of five unique sites: 20% Jagged Rock Vineyard, Black Sage Bench; 29% Sunset Vineyard, Black Sage Bench; 30% Dekleva Vineyard, Golden Mile Bench DVA; 10% Border Vista Vineyard, Osoyoos East Bench; and 11% Combret Vineyard, Golden Mile Bench DVA. The goal is complexity, and it begins with a complex mix of clones: Dekleva, Combret, Old Wente, Prosser, Hyde-Wente, Mt. Eden, Calera, Dijon 76, 95, 96, and 548. It opens with an inviting orchard blossom and melon nose. The palate has a rich entry pushing pears and nectarines with some vanilla at this stage. The acidity is fine, and this wine will tighten up a bit and show more restraint with time in the bottle as all the parts come together. The texture is an essential part of Fool's Mate, aged in 65% French oak barrique (41% new), 25% foudre, and 10% concrete egg, all of which suggest this wine could age from 2027 to 2030.Tasted: 17 November 2022Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:
BC$95.00750mlwinery direct, restaurants, select private wine shops
BC$200.001500mlwinery online/direct
BC$485.003000mlwinery online/direct
BC$985.006000mlwinery online/direct
Producer: CheckMate Artisanal WineryDistributors: Mark Anthony Wines and Spirits
Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 457209UPC: 776545802989