2017 & 2018 Peter Michael Knights Valley Chardonnay Tasting Lot

“The 2017 Chardonnay La Carrière is a rich, powerful style of Chardonnay, yet it stays vibrant and fresh, with terrific balance. Notes of orange blossom, pineapple, caramelized citrus, and white flowers, as well as a touch of minerality all, emerge from this full-bodied, multi-dimensional, layered beauty that's going to evolve for at least a decade.” (06/2019)

“Intense aromas of sliced cooked apples, limes and hints of coconut. Full-bodied, creamy and very dense, yet extremely fresh and vivid. Crunchy acidity. Lovely texture. Exciting.” (01/2020)

“The 2017 Chardonnay La Carrière has a little more Old Wente clone selection in it this year. It features a bombastic, staggeringly expressive nose of baked peaches, honey-drizzled pears, crème brulee and lemon tart with wafts of poached pears, gingerbread and toasted almonds. Full-bodied, rich and seductive in the mouth, the palate is completely coated in honey-laced stone fruit and spiced pears layers, featuring and racy backbone and hedonic texture, finishing very long and spicy. (LPB) 96+” (02/2020)

“Peter Michael's 2017 Chardonnay La Carrière is laced with a super-intriguing mix of orchard fruit, lemon peel, slate, mint and crushed rocks. Bright and intensely saline, La Carrière is super-expressive in 2017, not to mention incredibly delicious. La Carrière is perhaps disadvantaged a bit by being served in a flight of Chardonnays, but it is compelling just the same. Although none of the Peter Michael wines is inexpensive, La Carrière is arguably the best relative value in the range. (AG)” (05/2019)

“Minerally and crisp, with white currant and fresh-cut green apple flavors that are well-focused. Dried savory hints emerge on the finish. (KM)” (07/2019)

“Attractive aromas of dried lemon zest, pear skin, crushed chalk and almonds. Hint of beeswax and pollen. It’s medium-to full-bodied with crisp acidity. Elegant and refined with lingering crushed stone on a very long finish. Beautiful.” (01/2021)

“An eastern-facing slope on white, dusty soil, this vineyard is the latest of the Peter Michael Chardonnay vineyards to ripen each year. The site is planted mainly to Old Wente and See clone selections with a little Rued clone. Planted in 1990, these are the oldest vines on the estate.The 2018 Chardonnay Belle Cote opens with earthy notions of crushed rocks and chalk dust over a core of fresh apricots, Golden Delicious apples and honeydew melon with a fragrant touch of jasmine. The medium to full-bodied palate is both intense and refreshing, not skimping on the silkiness of the texture and delivering a good, long, zesty finish. (LPB) 97+” (02/2021)

“The 2018 Chardonnay Belle-Côte from the oldest vines on the property (planted in 1990), possesses dazzling mineral intensity to match its mid-weight, delineated personality. Lemon peel, pear, mint, white pepper and sage all develop in the glass. The clonal mix here is See, old Wente and Rued, with the floral top notes of Rued (that recall Riesling) especially evident, even if Rued comprises the smallest part of the blend. (AG)” (04/2020)