A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 923: Bachelder Gamay 2022 Tasting

Saturday, April 13^th: Bill Redelmeier of Southbrook invited Deborah and me to a blind of Right Bank Bordeaux reds against two of his wines. All from the 2020 vintage.

My favourite was Château La Pointe from Pomerol. (But then, I was brought up on claret in England.)

Tuesday, April 16^th: Thomas Bachelder brought over 13 of his wines to taste together. He also brought the glasses, much to Deborah’s relief!

Bachelder Kirby Gamay Noir 43% Whole Cluster (Four-Mile Creek)
Cherry nose with white pepper notes, medium-bodied dry, juicy and crunchy on the palate with lively acidity. (90)

Bachelder Lil Kirby Gamay Noir 53% 2022 Whole Cluster (Four-Mile Creek)
The same cherry and white pepper bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, but more savoury with a sour cherry flavour finishing firmly with great length. (91)

Bachelder Bator Gamay Noir 33% Whole Cluster 2022 (Four-Mile Creek)
Pinot Noir-like nose with a touch of oak; medium-bodied, dry, cherry flavour with lively acidity and a firm finish.

Bachelder Willms Gamay Noir 55% Whole Cluster 2022 (Four-Mile Creek)
Meaty, cherry pit bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted, firmly structured, cherry and cranberry flavours. (91)

Bachelder Bai Xu Gamay Noir 32% Whole Cluster 2022 (Four-Mile Creek)
Cherry nose with toasty oak notes; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted, cherry and red plum flavours; beautifully balanced, great length. (92)

Bachelder G & H Wiley Gamay Noir 2022 (100% Destemmed – Short Hill Bench)
Cherry and red meat nose; medium-bodied, dry, crispy, sour cherry flavour; firmly structured, lovely mouth feel. (90)

Bachelder Wismer-Foxcroft Gamay Noir 33% Whole Cluster 2022 (Twenty-Mile Bench)
Intense, minerally, cherry pit nose with a floral note; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted; beautifully balanced, great length. (92)

Bachelder “Mio” Gamay Noir 25% Whole Cluster 2022 (Lincoln Lakeshore)
Fragrant cherry nose; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, fleshy cherry flavour; lovely mouth feel. (93)

Bachelder Les Villages Gamay Noir 24% Whole Cluster 2022
Cherry pit nose; medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured, juicy but firm with cherry-cranberry flavours carried on lively acidity. (90)

Bachelder Chardonnay Les Villages 2022 (NOTL)
Bright straw in colour; lightly toasty, apple nose; medium-bodied, dry, apple and pineapple flavours; beautifully balanced, great mouth feel. Reminiscent of a Maçon. Long finish. (92)

Bachelder Chardonnay Lincoln Lakeshore Les Villages 2022
Sightly deeper shade of straw; lightly toasty, yellow apple bouquet; rich and full on the palate; apple and pear flavours, beautifully balanced; great length. (93)

Bachelder Chardonnay Bench Les Villages 2022
Golden straw in colour; toasty, Burgundian nose; full-bodied, dry, apple and lemon flavours; firmly structured. Lovely mouth feel. A gorgeous Chardonnay. (94)

Bachelder Les Villages Pinot Noir 2022 (Niagara Peninsula)
Toasty, black raspberry nose; medium-bodied, dry, raspberry flavour with savoury-herbal notes. (90)

After the tasting we indulged in a Talia pizza. An amazing tasting!

A dinner party this evening. Our guests, Moira and Martin Malivoire; Anne Sperling and Peter Gamble. First wine, Bachelder Chardonnay Bench Les Villages 2022. With the standing rib of beef, I decided to serve blind, in two ISOs, Mega Spileo Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, from Kalavrita in the Peloponnese, and Château Lafite 1990. With the cheese, Stonebridge Reserve Merlot 2020; with the sticky toffee pudding, Pentâge Icewine 2013 from BC. Now that was a dinner party!

Wednesday, April 17^th: Book launch for Sharing a Glass: Inspirational Memoirs & Memories of the Women Who Shaped Ontario’s Grape & Wine Industry, by Jennifer Wilhelm. It was held at the Visitors’ Centre in Niagara College and seven of the women were there to receive the acclamation and admiration from their peers in the industry.