Peter Michael - Belle Cote Vineyard Knights Valley Chardonnay 2018 (750ml)
Price: $134.99
Producer | Peter Michael |
Country | United States |
Region | California |
Subregion | Sonoma County |
Varietal | Chardonnay |
Vintage | 2018 |
Sku | 2267 |
The nose is distinctly powerfully hedonistic and intense with aromas of rose petal, lychee nut, orange blossom and acacia, with a background of mineral, yellow peach, candied orange, greengage, toasted almond and nougat. Creamy and weighty in the mouth, the palate is seamless and rich. Accents of pain grillé, almond, honey, hazelnut and brioche, with crisp natural acidity and minerals complete the mouth feel. Approachable now, the 2018 Belle Côte will blossom with two years of cellaring and will continue to develop or a decade or more.
James Suckling: 98 Points
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. Drink or hold.
Wine Advocate: 97 Points
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.