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The
wines of Bachelder
Thomas Bachelder's remarkable three terroirs
project, making wine in Canada, Burgundy and Oregon
Website:
http://thomasbachelder.com/
Thomas Bachelder is a force of nature (he’s pictured above with his
wife Mary Delaney). He comes across as very bright and energized,
and he’s currently making wines under his name in three countries:
Canada, the USA (Oregon) and France (Burgundy).
He hails from Montreal, Canada, and has previous experience of
working in all three regions. Until 2010 Bachelder was founding
winemaker at Le Clos Jordanne in Niagara, a position he took after
experience working and studying wine in Burgundy, before working as
winemaker at Lemelson in Oregon. His ambitious three-terroir
winemaking project began with the 2009 vintage, and his main focus
is on Chardonnay, although Pinot Noir is also an important part of
the plan.
He acts as a micronegociant, buying grapes in each of the three
regions and renting winery space to work in. The results are
excellent: as Thomas points out, the winemaking and philosophy
behind the wines in all three regions is similar (he aims at a
European elegance), but beyond that, the personality of the regions
is still evident. ‘You can make Oregon elegantly,’ he says, giving
an example, ‘but you can’t take the Oregon terroir out of it.’
Bachelder is a master of elevage, and clearly understands the use of
extended time in barrel to produce a more complete, articulate wine
that speaks of its origin better. I liked all these wines a good
deal: they have different personalities, but they are qualitative
peers.
THE WINES
Bachelder Chardonnay 2011 Niagara, Canada
Well defined and fresh with some nuts and spices, allied with
lemony freshness. There’s richness here, but it is reined in. Lovely
precision and focus. 93/100
Bachelder Chardonnay Wismer Vineyard 2010 Niagara, Canada
Distinctive and quite broad with a smooth, mineral character to
the palate, which is textured and has a lovely mouthfeel. Notes of
nuts, pear and even nectarine, but despite the richness there is
restraint here. Really fine and focused. 94/100
Bachelder Chardonnay Wismer Vineyard 2011 Niagara, Canada
Lovely texture here: fresh but rich with pear, peach and some
mineral notes. Nice weight and purity. 93/100
Bachelder Beaune ‘Les Longues’ 2010 Burgundy, France
From a plot high above the premier crus in Beaune. Nutty, finely
toasty and mineral with dense, bold pear and apple fruit, as well as
some white peach. Fresh and mineral with lovely focus. 93/100
Bachelder Côte de Beaune La Grande Chatelaine 2011 Burgundy,
France
Lovely purity here, with good acidity underpinning the rich
fruit. Fresh, fine and expressive with some citrus pith notes
alongside mineral characters. I really like the freshness this wine
shows. 93/100
Bachelder Chardonnay 2011 Oregon, USA
Fine lemon, pear and nut nose with some fresh mineral notes. The
palate is fresh with generous pear and peach fruit, as well as a
hint of quince. Very expressive, a lovely wine. 94/100
Bachelder Pinot Noir 2011 Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Fresh, elegant and supple with some warm sweet cherry fruit
notes but also a hint of sappiness. Real elegance and precision
here, but also a really attractive Oregon sweetness. 94/100
UK agent Liberty Wines
VISITING
ONTARIO WINE COUNTRY, CANADA
NIAGARA
 Southbrook
Malivoire
Tawse
Pearl Morissette
Bachelder
Hidden Bench
Ravine
PRINCE
EDWARD COUNTY, CANADA
Hinterland
Closson
Chase
Huff
Estates
Rosehall
Run
Norman
Hardie
Wines
tasted 07/13
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com
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