Bachelder 2022 Gamay – Wismer-Foxcroft Single Vineyard, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario

September 2022

Thomas Bachelder is renowned for his focus on producing ultra premium single vineyard wines throughout the Niagara Peninsula. Although Thomas produces some of the best and most sought after single vineyard Pinot and Chardonnay in Ontario, his latest project includes 9 single vineyard expressions of Gamay Noir from the Niagara region that highlight the great 2022 vintage.

During a tasting of Foxcroft single vineyard wines from various producers this past July, I had the opportunity to taste Thomas Bachelder’s 2022 Wismer-Foxcroft Vineyard Gamay. Moments before tasting it I toured this vineyard with Thomas and Craig Wismer, proprietor and manager of the Foxcroft Vineyard.

Foxcroft Vineyard is located along the Twenty Mile Bench, with uninterrupted views of Lake Ontario throughout the vineyard, and on a clear day you can gaze across Lake Ontario to see the Toronto city skyline and that big white roof from the Blue Jay’s stadium, it all makes for a pleasant experience appreciating the aspect and gentle slope of the vineyard, walking down the rows, seeing the healthy vines thriving in the warm summer sun and feeling those refreshing winds blow through the vines.

The Wismer-Foxcroft Vineyard is renowned in Niagara for its exceptional terroir, thanks to its unique location and geological characteristics. Situated on the acclaimed Twenty Mile Bench, the vineyard benefits from an ideal slope and aspect that maximize sun exposure, while its proximity to Lake Ontario tempers temperatures, aiding in the development of well-ripened, flavorful grapes. The vineyard’s advantageous positioning promotes excellent air movement, which helps prevent disease and ensures even grape maturation.

What truly sets this vineyard apart is its mineral-rich soils, particularly those influenced by magnesium-oxide and dolomitic limestone. These soils impart a distinctive flinty minerality to the wines, enhancing their flavor complexity and structure. This minerality acts much like a pinch of salt on a grilled steak, intensifying the wines’ flavors and adding to its texture, contributing to their expressive and beautifully structured profiles. The result is a collection of wines with remarkable depth and character, each showcasing a vibrant mineral edge that elevates the overall tasting experience. I’ll be writing more reviews about the impressive wines sourced from Foxcroft Vineyard but for now back to Bachelder Gamay 2022 from this impressive vineyard.

Thomas Bachelder always seems to be working with the best vineyards in each region to produce his award winning wines. That certainly is the case for Bachelder’s 2022 Gamay Noir from Craig Wismer’s Foxcroft Vineyard. 13% ABV and 34% whole cluster pressed. Released in Spring 2024, the 2022 Gamay Noir is a light ruby colour, and the nose shows bright cherry, tart raspberry, savoury herbs and and fresh cut hay, with distinct flinty minerality aromas – a very complex bouquet with great intensity. The palate is harmonious, beautifully integrated dark cherry, herbs, and spices with a refreshing and lively profile, the great acidity and delicate polished tannins inviting a savoury autumn dish to complement the experience. Showing beautifully now and structured to age gracefully, suggest enjoying over the next five (possibly ten) years with creamy mushroom risotto, beef Stroganoff or grilled lamb with a cherry reduction. Tasted July 2024. 93 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

Available winery-direct $33