Bachelder les Villages Bench Pinot Noir 2021

Thomas Bachelder famously makes numerous single vineyard bottlings in Niagara, but Les Villages is a compilation from several sites, and captures the allure of his pinots very nicely, for less. As so often happens in Niagara the colour is almost shockingly pale, providing a moment of let down. But then on comes that wonderful, pure sour cherry jam fruitiness, with echos of other red fruits as well – strawberry and raspberry. There is subtle florality, fine spicing from the barrels and that classic pinot forest floor character. It is light to medium bodied, silky, polished and lively with very fine tannin. As is common in Niagara pinots a seam of sour-edged volatility floats below the surface, bring its own energy. The length is very good to excellent with good fruit and a touch of rusty minerality. Ready to enjoy, but let it breathe. Tasted October 2023. Score – 91. (David Lawrason, winealign.com)