Best CheckMate Winery wines review: This is what their 100 point Chardonnay and other 90+ point wines taste like. Is it worth your money?

New kid on the block: CheckMate Artisanal Winery, a home of 90+ and 100 point rated wines

CheckMate Winery is the latest addition to the von Mandl Family Estate. But before its construction, there was already a winery and vineyard known as Antelope Ridge, owned by the Combret Family. They had been in business since 1992, producing wines under their own label and supplying grapes to von Mandl Estates. It was through this grape partnership that CheckMate’s Chardonnay vintages were first created, even predating the establishment of the CheckMate winery itself. For more information about the history of Antelope Ridge and our visit to CheckMate, read our earlier post here

How we picked these CheckMate’s 90+ and 100 point rated wines

Except for the Little Pawn, all of these wines were featured in the curated wine tasting experience known as “The Grandmaster’s Table,” which we purchased at CheckMate Winery. Intrigued by the renowned 100-point-rated Little Pawn, we made a special request to taste it, and CheckMate graciously accommodated our request. And now, let’s get cracking with those reviews.

CheckMate’s white wines:

2019 Attack Chardonnay tasting notes

This Chardonnay blend combines grapes from Jagged Rock and Vista vineyards. What sets it apart from CheckMate’s other Chardonnay wines is its unique aging process in foudres, which imparts a subtle oak influence on the wine’s flavour.

CheckMate’s white wines:

2020 Queen’s Advantage Chardonnay tasting notes

This wine is crafted exclusively from grapes sourced from the Combret Vineyard, home to the oldest Chardonnay vines in British Columbia. For this single vineyard release, the wine was meticulously aged in new French oak barrels, imparting a distinct character. The vineyard’s location on the valley side near the mountain contributes to its exceptional mineral richness.

CheckMate’s white wines:

2020 Queen Taken Chardonnay tasting notes

This is another of CheckMate’s single vineyard bottlings. The grapes for this wine come entirely from the 45 years old Chardonnay vines grown in CheckMate’s Dekleva Vineyard. This single vineyard bottling was aged in 50% New and 50% Old French Oak.

Queen Taken is CheckMate’s flagship wine. There’s an intriguing story behind one of the earlier vintages of Queen Taken that adds to its charm. It was submitted for a Chardonnay competition in London and got picked by the international panel of judges as the “best in class”. Upon discovering its origin in Canada’s Okanagan region, they initially doubted its credentials and dismissed the results. During a blind tasting session to determine the finest Chardonnay, the judges once again selected the same “Queen Taken” Chardonnay they had previously dismissed.

CheckMate’s white wines:

2015 Fools Mate Chardonnay tasting notes

The grapes for this wine came from Jagged Rock, Sunset, and Deklava vineyards. This bottling was mainly aged in French Oak, both new and old and 15% was aged in a Concrete Egg. This wine is very masculine and oddly has a smell of old library books that upon further evaluation was determined to be a smell of pollen.

CheckMate’s highest rated wine:

2019 Little Pawn Chardonnay tasting notes

The grapes for this wine came from the Jagged Rock vineyard. This single vineyard bottling was entirely aged in French Oak: 50% new, 50% old. This is the wine that was scored by critics 100-points five times.

For us, this wine was not Excellent, but it certainly was in the Very Good category.

Which of these CheckMate Chardonnays reigned supreme?

We were initially taken aback by the subtle aromas of all these wines. As it turned out, they all had been poured just before our arrival.

After allowing the wines to sit in the glass for about 40 minutes, they truly came alive, offering a lively and enjoyable flavour experience. If you decide to splurge on any of these wines, be sure to give them some decanting time.

Interestingly, all our wines were served chilled, a customary practice for cheap and uneventful Chardonnays and cheap white wines in general. However, chilling these particular Chardonnays dampened their aromas, doing them a disservice.

But let’s get down to business – which wine was the standout? We must confess if we weren’t confined to the self-imposed rule of selecting only one bottle per winery, and if money were no object, we would have gladly chosen them all. That’s how impressed we were with the quality. However, in the spirit of competition, there can only be one winner, while the others receive well-deserved participation ribbons. When it came down to it, the 2019 Little Pawn was our top pick. If you are wondering whether the fact that this wine got a whopping 100-point rating from wine critics played a role in our decision, the answer is “yes”. Yet what mattered more to us was how well it would complement different dishes and occasions. Little Pawn stood out with its savoury notes, making it an excellent choice to pair with a wide variety of foods.

CheckMate Chardonnays: The food pairings to do these wines justice

Tasting the 2019 Little Pawn sparked our inspiration to create something truly special to accompany this remarkable wine. 

• We are delighted to share our recipe for Prosciutto-wrapped chicken breast with compound butter, creamy parsnip puree, summer squash and a pan sauce. We must provide a full disclaimer: this dish requires a substantial amount of time and effort. However, just like the Little Pawn itself, all things delicious often demand patience and dedication. We sincerely hope you enjoy our culinary creation.
• In addition to our signature dish, we also recommend the classic favourites of Quiche Lorraine and Flemish Quiche. These savoury options perfectly complement the 2019 Little Pawn and other rich and oaked Chardonnays.
• For a comforting and indulgent choice, we suggest a risotto infused with Taleggio cheese, with the option to include pan-fried chicken breast for an added touch.
• Alternatively, the Butternut Cheese ravioli in a creamy orange sauce presents a tantalizing flavour combination that beautifully harmonizes with this wine.

Need a recipe for this and other dishes that perfectly complement this and other rich and oaked Chardonnays? Sign up for our newsletter to receive tailored wine recipes directly in your inbox.

Wine for the Red Wine Lovers:

CheckMate’s 2019 Black Rook Merlot tasting

The grapes for this wine came from the Black Sage Bench. This bottling was entirely aged in 100% new French Oak.

If you prefer a more opulent style of Merlot, this wine is for you.

At present, the tannins in the 2019 Black Rook are notably higher than what one might anticipate from a typically more approachable and milder red wine like Merlot. To fully appreciate this wine’s potential, we recommend cellaring it for another 3-5 years before popping a cork. With proper aging, it will morph from Good to Very Good wine.

CheckMate’s 2019 Black Rook Merlot: Food pairings for this Red Wine

While personal taste varies, these suggested food pairings are universally appealing when it comes to complementing this wine:

• Enjoy the wine alongside a charcuterie selection of cured meats, such as Copa, dry speck, Genoa salami, and Sopresata.
• Duck dishes are an excellent choice. We recommend pairing this wine with our recommended recipe for Baharat spiced Duck.
• For the vegan palate, Roasted Beet Salad is a great match.
• Beef dishes, particularly grilled or roasted preparations, beautifully harmonize with the 2019 Black Rook Merlot. Try pairing it with a grilled flat iron steak accompanied by a home-made pesto sauce and peppery arugula-tomato salad.
• Another good option is a Lapsang Souchong cured pork roast with plums and roasted fennel.

Need a recipe for this and other dishes that perfectly complement this and other full-bodied Merlot? Sign up for our newsletter to receive tailored wine pairing recipes directly in your inbox.

The Conclusion: CheckMate’s Red and White Wines, should you buy or should you not?

These wines are not your typical choices for casual weekend sipping with friends.

Tasting these wines is an adult version of being in an upscale candy shop where everything is organic and carefully crafted.

It’s worth noting that all the grapes used in these wines are meticulously handpicked during the night, emphasizing the commitment to quality.

At the end of our tasting, we were posed with a question: which wines would we select if money were no object? The answer is simple yet elusive: all of them. Each of these wines offers a delightful experience that is worth savouring. However, the reality of life reminded us that their price point, $100 and often more per bottle, becomes a barrier for many, including us.

While it is true that for most of us, these wines are not accessible for everyday enjoyment, their presence can elevate a cherished occasion when you are truly inclined to splurge in the hopes of creating a lasting memory.