2020 Knight’s Challenge Chardonnay

This is an enticing Chardonnay with aromas of sagebrush, floral spice, peach blossom and melon underscored by subtle fruit and lifted oak notes. The palate is vibrant and textural, displaying tangerine, sage and almond, backed by sea salt and fruit in the background.

 

Vintage
2020
Vineyard
Sunset Vineyard, Black Sage Bench
Aromas & Texture
Exuberant + Enticing
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CheckMate Artisinal Winery Knight's Challenge Chardonnay

Sunset Vineyard

Situated south of Jagged Rock Vineyard and perfectly aligned with a gap in the range across the valley, this vineyard basks in the sun late into the evening. Thirty years ago, we planted Dijon clones 76 & 95 on soils formed by glacial meltwaters. 

The vines grow in gravelly sand, and the site slopes to the southwest. This warm exposure and highly porous soils produce classic Chardonnay that exudes character. 

The complex aromas and flavours reminded on taster of the aroma of wheat in a bin. A touch of almond mingles with sagebrush, leading to flavours of marmalade. The finish is persistent.

96 points, John Schreiner

This is an enticing style of chardonnay with aromas of sagebrush, floral spice, peach blossom, and melon underscored by subtle fruit and oak. The palate is equally on point, mixing more desert garrigue with honey, lime, and mineral saline notes. Definitely a wine for chardonnay lovers.

93 points, Anthony Gismondi

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