Bachelder Wismer-Parke Pinot Noir 2020

The Terroir: Wismer-Parke is 5.5 km from the lake at an altitude of 133 metres, from the sweet spot on the Twenty Mile Bench on reddish magnesium and dolomitic-limestone clay soils with a solid silt component. The vines were planted in 1999. The Wine: The first of the Wismers is also a bit shy on the nose now but opens up to wild red berries, a touch of black currants and anise with lovely floral and spice notes. It shows a bit of muscle on the palate with darker berries, firm(ish) tannins (the classic iron fist in a velvet glove), underbrush, savoury spice notes and finesse through the long finish. Needs a little time to open up or decant if you cannot wait. Can cellar 7+ years. Score – 92. (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, Oct. 31, 2022)