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92POINTS
17/20
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Black Rook Merlot 2020
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlack Rook is situated on the Black Sage Bench in an unclassified subregion. Kelly thinks it’s a unique spot just above Black Sage Road where the Red Barn and Phantom Creek wineries sit, that pushes up tight against the Okanagan Highlands between 317 and 408m. It is a single vineyard sitting primarily on a pure sand site with a southwest exposure that endures warm evenings and poor soil. The yields are naturally low, and the fruit is concentrated, the opposite of what Checkmate has on the Golden Mile Bench, yet somehow, it reveals finesse at this early stage. The ’20 opens with floral violets and intense Bing cherry, streaked with licorice, bitter chocolate, and espresso. It’s wild fermented, in new French oak barriques, something Kelly suggests will likely be tweaked down the road, beginning with larger oak vessels to do the aging (currently for 21 months). Expect plenty of glossy blueberry and cassis with dense, supple, chalky tannins. The finesse comes in at the end, convincing you the wine is lighter and more agile than it appears on the front of the palate. Another 7-10 year wine that you need not rush to drink.Tasted: 08 March 2024Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml | winery direct, select private wine shops |
| BC | $200.00 | 1500ml | winery online/direct |
| BC | $500.00 | 3000ml | winery direct/online |
| BC | $6000.00 | 750ml | winery direct/online |
Grape: MerlotCSPC: 362684UPC: 776545803146
