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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Bachelder Willms Chardonnay 1983 Plantation Old Vines I Vielles Vignestext
92POINTS
17/20

Bachelder Willms Chardonnay 1983 Plantation Old Vines I Vielles Vignes 2018

Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaThomas Bachelder is one of Canada's leading chardonnay and pinot noir specialists, honed through time in Bourgogne and Oregon, as well as years in the vineyards of his Niagara home base. As the label notes, this is from old vines (planted in 1983) in the Willms Vineyard, 6km from Lake Ontario, and 4km from the Niagara River, with a soil combo of silt, loamy-clay, limestone, gravels, and sand. Thomas selects the eastern side of the vineyard for this wine. After a native ferment, this rested in French oak (none new) for around 16 months, sans bâtonnage. Bright and focused, with lemon pith, broken stone, riding a shimmery limestone base to a lingering herbal, saline finish. There is a beautiful light touch here, yet great complexity within. This is drinking beautifully now, and with years to come.Tasted: 14 July 2021Tasted by: Prices:
ON$44.95750mlwinery online/direct
Producer: Mary et Thomas Delaney-Bachelder et FillesDistributors: Winery Direct
Grape: ChardonnayUPC: 185729000729