2017 Fool’s Mate Chardonnay

"Considerable pains are taken with making this wine and it shows in its perfection. Some 74% of the fruit comes from the Jagged Rock Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench; 11% is from Osoyoos East Bench; 5% from the Sunset Vineyard on Black Sage Bench; the remaining 10% comes from neighbouring Golden Mile vineyards near the winery. Sixty-six per cent was fermented with wild yeast. The wine was aged in a combination of French oak barrels, a French oak foudre and a concrete egg. The wine begins with aromas of peach, citrus and apple. The palate delivers intense flavours of nectarine, pear and apple mingled with herbal notes. The finish is persistent and overall impression is seamless harmony."

100 points, John Schreiner

"After some of the oakier Chards, this was a relief in some ways but also a letdown in others, as it did not seem to have the substance of its brethren. On its own, however, rather than next to its oakier brethren, it seemed lively and refreshing. With a different tasting order—putting it first, not in the middle—it sang prettier songs. Now, it seemed tight and tense, with a fresh and steely finish. In the end, as a personal preference, it was one of the ones I would most want to drink myself. I think this will age well throughout the decade, maybe more. There were 297 cases produced."

95 points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate