Bachelder Parcelle Haut Ivy & Warren Saunders Vineyard Chardonnay 2022

On to some serious, terroir-driven chardonnay here as soon as we switch to the Bench from Niagara-on-the-Lake, where earth takes precedence over sky and dirt matters more than sun. I love the rich and silky, creamy palate with yellow and orange-fleshed fruit, also wood spice, though not from excessive wood but a different interpretation and expression of these (mostly) old barrels. Acids are firm and crunchy, framing limestone such as one sees in fine limestone expressions, red and white, from around the best parts of the world. Excellent length and depth. It’s a fine vintage for the Saunders ‘Haut’ and its over 30 year old vines, perhaps the best yet. Best from mid-next year. Tasted November 2024. Score – 94. (John Szabo, MS, winealign.com)