CheckMate Fool’s Mate Chardonnay Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada 2022

When discussing the world’s most exciting Chardonnay regions outside of Burgundy, the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia deserves a spot at the very top of the list. CheckMate Fool’s Mate Chardonnay 2022 is a brilliant example of why top Canadian wines are currently attracting attention from wine collectors and critics around the world.

This luxurious Chardonnay is crafted from a blend of grapes sourced from several of CheckMate’s most sought-after vineyards in the South Okanagan. Each parcel is cultivated with extreme precision, and only the finest grapes make their way into Fool’s Mate. The result is a wine with impressive concentration, depth, and elegance, where the region’s cool climate and long growing season provide a remarkable balance between ripe fruit and fresh minerality.

CheckMate has built a reputation for producing world-class Chardonnay, and Fool’s Mate is the winery’s interpretation of what the Okanagan Valley can achieve when terroir, craftsmanship, and uncompromising quality come together in perfect harmony. The wine combines the rich texture and body characteristic of California’s greatest Chardonnays with the finesse, energy, and precision that have made Burgundy the world’s benchmark for the grape.

The 2022 vintage is already proving to be an exceptionally successful one, with a remarkable harmony between ripeness and freshness. The extended barrel aging adds layers of complexity and a silky-smooth texture, while the wine’s natural acidity ensures a lively and focused expression from the first aroma to the final finish.

This is a wine that deserves a large wine glass and plenty of time. It pairs perfectly with lobster, scallops, grilled turbot, pan-seared monkfish, veal, poultry with butter-based sauces, and gourmet dishes where the wine’s complexity is allowed to unfold.

Tasting Notes

Color: Clear golden with elegant, bright highlights.

Nose: Refined and layered with aromas of ripe peach, quince, apricot, lemon curd, and orange zest. Hints of toasted almonds, brioche, and subtle spices from barrel aging add extra complexity.

Palate: Full-bodied and creamy with beautiful layers of lemon curd, ripe stone fruit, citrus, vanilla, and freshly baked bread. The concentrated fruit is supported by lively acidity and concludes with a long, mineral, and elegant finish.

The History of CheckMate Artisanal Winery

CheckMate Artisanal Winery was founded with a vision to create some of the world’s finest Chardonnay and Merlot wines. Behind the project is Anthony von Mandl, one of the most influential figures in Canadian winemaking. With experience from several of the country’s most successful wineries, he wanted to prove that the Okanagan Valley could produce wines on par with the greatest international names.

The winery’s philosophy is based on meticulous vineyard work, extremely low yields, and a detailed understanding of each vineyard’s unique characteristics. The vineyards are divided into small blocks, which are harvested and vinified separately so that each soil type and exposure can express itself optimally. This approach has made CheckMate one of Canada’s most acclaimed producers and has resulted in wines that are regularly compared to both cult Chardonnays from California and the finest producers in Burgundy.

• Producer: CheckMate Artisanal Winery
• Wine: Fool’s Mate Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2022
• Country: Canada
• Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Vineyards: Dekleva-Combret Vineyard, Sunset Vineyard, Jagged Rock Vineyard, and Border Vista Vineyard
• Style: Full-bodied, barrel-aged Chardonnay
• Serving temperature: 10–12°C
• Volume: 75 cl
• Contains: Sulfites
• Alcohol: 14.1%