The Saunders Vineyard was the first organic vineyard that Bachelder had the honour to work with! We’ve worked with all five distinct Chardonnay blocks, but we first isolated the penultimate southern block, the higher block we called Saunders ‘Haut’ back in 2013… and the name has stuck… Lovely, persistent aromas of lemon confit precede the beautiful gloss from the wild yeast barrel fermentation that goes so well with this “slightly closer to the lake” (but still) “Bench” site! The whole thing makes for a grilled sesame oil / scented lemon oil, almost the thiols of a Pinot Blanc–like marriage that is at once smooth and delightful! It has some deliciously saline gritty minerality on the finale that is unctuous yet firm. Saunders ‘Haut’ 2024 should continue to gain in complexity as it mellows out over the next six years.

A word from Mary: ‘White flowers on the nose: This Wine is ALIVE: incredible texture and a long finish!’

Drinking prime: Now – 2032

Best fruit window: 2027 – 2030

Cases produced: 99