Bachelder Bator Niagara Cru Single vineyard Gamay Noir 2021

This 20% Whole Cluster Bator brings ‘a fatter, juicier mouthfeel with a salty savouriness that comes through angular and chalky, these are the characteristics that first attracted me to the Bator Vineyard,’ said Bachelder. It’s more rugged on the nose, more earthy and savoury with brambly raspberries, some darker fruits, plums, and spice. All of that follows to the palate with more structure, depth and complexity than the two other Bators with red and dark berries, anise, savoury spice notes, more evident tannin structure and a long, lifted finish. We tasted another sample that Bachelder decanted, and it rounded out a bit, but I do love a bit of wildness in Gamays at this level. Suggest cellaring a few years to get the best out of this wine. [Drink until 2028.] Score – 92. (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, May 1, 2023)