Checkmate End Game Merlot 2022

CheckMate Artisanal Winery specializes exclusively in premium Chardonnay and Merlot from the South Okanagan. End Game brings together Merlot from the warm eastern side of the valley, primarily the sandy soils of Black Sage Bench and Osoyoos East Bench, creating a broader expression of Okanagan terroir than the winery’s single-area Merlots.

The 2022 growing season began cool and late, reducing yields, before warm late-summer weather allowed the fruit to reach full ripeness while retaining freshness. CheckMate hand sorts its Merlot, ferments individual parcels separately with naturally occurring yeasts and uses extended barrel ageing before bottling without fining or filtration.

Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep, concentrated ruby-red.
Nose: Dark plum, black cherry and red currant with cocoa, baking spice and subtle floral notes.
Palate: Rich and full-bodied, with dark cherry and plum joined by liquorice, peppercorn and chocolate. Silky but substantial tannins are balanced by vibrant acidity.
Finish: Long and structured, with lingering dark fruit, cedar, spice and cocoa.