Lovely! We had this wine on a special occasion, and it did not disappoint... it's pretty much everything you could want in a cool-climate chard: enticing aroma with butterscotch and peaty notes, smooth palate with just enough acidity for food-friendliness, and a lingering finish. The screwcap closure was also a pleasant surprise - bravo for taking that leap of faith! One wonders if Bachelder was in agreement with that decision, given his predilection for cork...
Thomas Bachelder shows what cool climate chardonnay can aspire to in Niagara. And this wine is certainly aspirational. There's intensity of aroma and flavour, with green fruit and some citrus, spice, honey, butter, toast, white flower and minerality, so in a word: complex. Oak is integrated and judicious. The balance is impeccable with acidity providing a structural spine. The length is excellent to outstanding. But it's the texture that is so compelling. MLF, lees stirring or whatever, but the mouthfeel is beautiful, rich, creamy, spicy, weighty yet all very fresh. Nicely done. Oct. 2020.
Captivating, highly aromatic nose offers elegant and refined aromas of golden apple, buttery, and pear with hints of butterscotch and caramel. It's medium-full bodied and richly layered and textured with lovely aroma replays, plus some touches of waxy and nutty notes. Vibrant acids freshen the palate. Finessed and balanced with excellent length on the long, nutty, toasty finish. Tasted Nov/2019.