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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Bachelder Grimsby Hillside Frontier Block Chardonnaytext
94POINTS
17½/20

Bachelder Grimsby Hillside Frontier Block Chardonnay 2020

Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaI grew up in Hamilton, not all that far from historic Grimsby Hillside Vineyard, a historic piece of dirt on the far west side of the Niagara region first planted in 1874. Bachelder describes the wine as “tight, chalky, seashell minerality.” On that note, I’m all in. The next world chardonnay has zero body fat, although its creamy textures lead you to think it is richer than it is. It is primarily a stony, saline, leesy citrus affair with green apple to remind you it is made from fruit, not stones. Long and lingering, this is a joy to drink, and a fine tribute to a vineyard long lost to the shiny stars to the east. This was made for west coast seafood. As the vineyard transitions to organic farming, I can only imagine the terroir will shine even brighter than it does now in the wine.Tasted: 29 November 2022Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:
ON$49.95750mlwinery direct
Producer: Mary et Thomas Delaney-Bachelder et FillesDistributors: Winery Direct
Grape: ChardonnayUPC: 185729000873