Bachelder Revisited: Exploring the 2023 Vintage from a Pioneer of Niagara’s Wine Scene

It was a pleasure to once again sit down with Thomas Bachelder, one of Canada’s premier winemakers. Accompanied by Geoffrey Moss, Rhys Pender, and Jeremy Bonia, we had just wrapped up judging at the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada, where Thomas had generously lent us a couple of guitars for the week. Before heading to the airport, we made a stop at the Bat Cave for a tasting that primarily focused on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with a nod to Gamay.

I’ve previously covered Thomas’ wines in detail:

• Catching up with Thomas Bachelder in Niagara
• Top Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gamay from Canada’s Niagara region
• Thomas Bachelder elevates Gamay in Canada’s Niagara region

Thomas has ventured into winemaking in three notable regions: Niagara, Burgundy, and Oregon, but has shifted his focus back to Niagara to deeply explore its terroir. He noted, "We were considered a Chardonnay producer rather than a Pinot producer," explaining that the larger yields of Chardonnay led to its dominance in production.

In 2023, Thomas produced nine Chardonnays and ten Pinots, tasting across the Niagara Peninsula—from the riverside westward—taking into account how various factors impact the wines such as proximity to the lake and soil types. He described his role as a modern-day monk, saying, "We have to figure out Niagara in real time," emphasizing the excitement of understanding the unique characteristics of different sites as they relate to the wines.

Tasting Notes

Pinot Noir

1. Bachelder Bator Pinot Noir 2023
   From Four Mile Creek, Niagara.

   • Alcohol: 12.5%
   • Notes: Aromatic with floral, raspberry, and strawberry notes. Rich with spicy undertones.
   • Rating: 94/100

2. Bachelder Lowrey Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes 2023
   Saint David’s Bench, Niagara.

   • Alcohol: 12%
   • Notes: Elegant and silky with floral notes and sweet fruit.
   • Rating: 95/100

3. Bachelder Old Eastern Block of Lowrey Pinot Noir 2023
   Saint David’s Bench, Niagara.

   • Alcohol: 12%
   • Notes: Silky and fine with redcurrant and strawberry.
   • Rating: 95/100

4. Bachelder Wismer-Parke Pinot Noir 2023
   Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara.

   • Alcohol: 13%
   • Notes: Bold and mineral with layered black and red cherries.
   • Rating: 95/100

5. Bachelder Wild West End of Wismer Parke Pinot Noir 2023
   Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara.

   • Alcohol: 13%
   • Notes: Delicate and refined with a beautiful finish.
   • Rating: 96/100

6. Bachelder Hanck Pinot Noir 2023
   Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara.

   • Notes: Regal, warm with herbal hints.
   • Rating: 93/100

7. Bachelder Spencer-Morgan La Côte Nord Pinot Noir 2023
   Vineland, Niagara.

   • Notes: Expressive with vibrant cherry fruit.
   • Rating: 94/100

8. Bachelder Ivy and Warren Saunders Parcelle ‘Haut’ 2023
   Beamsville Bench, Niagara.

   • Alcohol: 12.5%
   • Notes: Peppery and bright with a distinctive character.
   • Rating: 95/100

9. Bachelder Les Villages Bench Pinot Noir 2024

   • Notes: Silky and structured with fruity notes.
   • Rating: 94/100

Chardonnay

1. Bachelder Bator Chardonnay 2023
   Four Mile Creek, Niagara.

   • Notes: Lovely weight with layers of pear and citrus.
   • Rating: 93/100

2. Bachelder Cuesta Far East Man Chardonnay 2023
   Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara.

   • Notes: Expressive with lemon and white peach.
   • Rating: 95/100

3. Bachelder Wismer-Foxcroft Parcelle Nord 2023
   Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara.

   • Notes: Refined with a beautiful expression of fruit.
   • Rating: 95/100

4. Bachelder Wismer-Wingfield Chardonnay 2023
   Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara.

   • Notes: Fresh with nice tension and herbal hints.
   • Rating: 95/100

5. Bachelder Hill of Wingfield Wismer Wingfield Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
   Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara.

   • Notes: Focused with a lovely impact.
   • Rating: 94/100

6. Bachelder Ivy and Warren Saunders Parcelle Haut Chardonnay 2023
   Beamsville Bench, Niagara.

   • Notes: Fresh and distinctive with a saline finish.
   • Rating: 94/100

7. Bachelder Red Clay Barn Block of Grimsby Hillside Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
   Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara.

   • Notes: Rich and textured.
   • Rating: 94/100

8. Bachelder Frontier Block of Grimsby Hillside Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
   Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara.

   • Notes: Taut and refined with real finesse.
   • Rating: 96/100

Gamay

1. Bachelder Baixu Gamay 2024
   Four Mile Creek, Niagara.

   • Notes: Fresh with lovely red cherry.
   • Rating: 95/100

2. Bachelder Haynes Street Gamay 2024
   Creek Shores, Niagara.

   • Notes: Pure and intense with good fruit expression.
   • Rating: 94/100

3. Bachelder Wismer-Foxcroft Gamay 2024
   Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara.

   • Notes: Juicy and expressive, showcasing complexity.
   • Rating: 95/100