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17/20
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Opening Gambit Merlot 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpening Gambit comes from two vineyards on the east side of Osoyoos: Border Vista and Vineyard 3, the latter located just a little north of Border Vista and right beneath Anarchist Highway. The vines are now 29 years old and grow at elevations ranging from 330 to 437 meters, situated on various exposures. This merlot is consistently the richest among the Checkmate releases. They are currently in the third year of transitioning to organic farming, which will allow the grapes to ripen earlier and achieve lower alcohol levels. This change is expected to enhance the finesse of the wine. It is wild fermented and spends 20 months in new French oak barrels. The 2021 season was particularly challenging in South Okanagan due to heat domes and wildfires. However, this vineyard has largely escaped those issues. The wine presents pitch black cherries, cassis, black tea, and hints of baking chocolate and savoury wild desert scrub. On the palate, notes of black and red raspberry are complemented by reasonably polished tannins. While this possesses the weight and mouthfeel typically expected from a top quality Merlot, it has not yet reached its full potential. Overall, it is a solid offering.Tasted: 21 September 2024Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml | winery online/direct |
| BC | $200.00 | 1500ml | winery online/direct |
| BC | $500.00 | 3000ml | winery direct/online |
| BC | $1010.00 | 750ml | winery direct/online |
Grape: MerlotCSPC: 362684UPC: 776545803108
