Bachelder Les Villages Gamay Noir 2021

The Villages Gamay is a blend of east and west vineyards including lots from Wismer-Foxcroft, Bai Xu, Bator, Willms and now Wiley, the new terroir in the family on the Short Hills Bench. ‘It blends the juicy stuff from NOTL with more structure from the Bench,’ said Bachelder. It has a lovely floral note on the nose with a melange of juicy red berries, plums, and integrated spice notes. It’s mouth-filling and fruit-laden with smooth tannins, subtle meatiness, black raspberries, dark cherries, anise, spice, and a tangy, bright finish. It’s drinking fine now but can cellar a few years. [Drink until 2026.] Score – 91. (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, May 1, 2023)