Bachelder L’Ardoise Niagara Chardonnay 2021

What’s in a name? L’Ardoise, meaning slate and while you would need to pinpoint and dig into Niagara geology you can expect Thomas Bachelder to find the pockets and create chardonnay this way. Much of the Twenty Mile Bench is characterized by deep clay generously interspersed with slate and shale. This is where the moniker looks to and draws from, although other fruit sources contribute to this wine – but it matters little. It’s a good name. Fine vintage here, a push-pull, posit tag between ripe fleshiness contravening crisp piques and bites. This lingers well, as it should, to gift a well-thought out, designed and formulated style of Niagara chardonnay. Drink 2023-2026. Tasted November 2023. Score – 91. (Michael Godel, winealign.com)