Little Pawn Chardonnay 2022 CheckMate Artisanal Winery

Little Pawn Chardonnay

Two parcels of Jagged Rock, distilled into a Chardonnay of concentration and purity.

CheckMate's signature cuvée: a blend of two distinct parcels within the Jagged Rock Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench. The porous, glacial sands and gravels naturally regulate the vines, giving concentrated fruit with balance and purity. A vibrant nose of key lime, ginger spice, orange blossom and anise seed leads to flavours of tangerine, sagebrush and hazelnut. Rich, yet weightless on the palate, with a long, mouthwatering finish that hints at the wine's longevity.

Item code

22W5652

Producer

CheckMate Artisanal Winery

Type

White

Region

British Columbia

Appellation

Okanagan Valley

Vintage

2022

Grape varieties

100% Chardonnay

Alcohol

13.4%

Volume

750ml

Serving temperature

10–12°C

Recommended glass

White wine glass (large)

Tasting note

A vibrant nose of key lime, ginger spice, orange blossom and anise seed. Flavours of tangerine, sagebrush and hazelnut excite the senses. The palate has richness while maintaining a weightless feel. The long, mouthwatering finish hints at the wine's longevity.

Food pairing

Lobster or scallops sautéed in butter Chicken in cream sauce White fish with hazelnuts Aged Comté

Winemaking & technical data

Vineyard
Estate: two parcels within the Jagged Rock Vineyard (Black Sage Bench, planted 1999)
Soil: glacial sand and gravel; porous, sandy soils naturally restrain vine vigour
Clones: Dijon 76 (majority), Dekleva (planted by John Simes in the late 1990s)
Elevation: approx. 375–380 m (1,230–1,247 ft)

Winemaking
Hand-picked and hand-sorted; whole-cluster pressed. CheckMate's most reductive style
Fermentation: 75% wild fermentation
Ageing: 90% French oak (56% new), 10% concrete egg; 14 months in oak
Production: 30 barrels + 1 concrete egg
Unfined and unfiltered
Drinking window: to 2033 (Wine Spectator)

Scores & awards

James Suckling 96 pts

John Schreiner　96 points

James Suckling　96 points

Anthony Gismondi　92 points