Checkmate 2021 Fool's Mate Chardonnay 750ml

Fool's Mate is the only multi-vineyard blended chardonnay at Checkmate involving five individual sites. In 2021, the breakdown changed significantly with a much more significant portion of Golden Mile DVA fruit, namely 39% Combret Vineyard and 22% Dekleva Vineyard. The Black Sage Bench provides 27% Jagged Rock Vineyard and 7% Sunset Vineyard, while finally 5% comes off Border Vista Vineyard on Osoyoos East Bench. The goal is complexity, beginning with a complex mix of clones: Dekleva, Combret, Old Wente, Prosser, Hyde-Wente, Mt. Eden, Calera, Dijon 76, 95. It opens with inviting orchard fruits and melon before a rich palate pushing pears, nectarines, stone fruit and vanilla with excellent acidity supporting and tightening the wine from underneath. Fool's Mate attracts with texture thanks to French oak split between 54% barriques (68% new), 25% foudre, and 21% concrete egg. The long term plan is to expand Fool's Mate as a village label, leaving the single vineyards as standalone Crus.

Score: 92 points -- Anthony Gismondi, Gismondi On Wine, 2024