Peter Michael - La Carrière Chardonnay 2018 (750ml)
Price: $134.99
Producer | Peter Michael |
Country | United States |
Region | California |
Subregion | Knight's Valley |
Varietal | Chardonnay |
Vintage | 2018 |
Sku | 2268 |
The signature of this vineyard remains its terroir-driven minerality. The nose is dominated by aromas of toasted almond, brioche, dry honey, white flowers, hazelnut and William pear. Accents of acacia, orange lossom and vanilla complete the elegant bouquet. White peach and citrus oil highlight the minerality. Magnificent concentration and elegance on the palate sculpt the structure of this wine, offering richness and intensity. While approachable now, the 2018 La Carrière will handsomely reward two years of cellaring and will continue to develop for a decade or more.
Peter Michael Description
The steep and rugged terrain of the La Carrière vineyard produces fruit with a great concentration of flavor and aroma. Typically, this wine offers the most lean, citrus-like fruit profile of our four single vineyard Chardonnays, along with a vivid minerality that evokes nuances of sea salt and wet stones.
La Carrière is named for the steep, rocky and shallow soils found at the high elevation and the vineyard’s distinctive bowl-shaped top section.
The 2018 growing season began with abundant winter rainfall. Spring weather was cool and blooming, while delayed a bit, took place in almost perfect conditions resulting in a generous fruit set. The vines were vigorous thanks to the winter rains. Aggressive canopy management and fruit thinning brought the crop into optimal balance. Summer temperatures were moderate with no severe heat spikes. An extended Indian summer allowed our Chardonnay to gradually reach perfect ripeness. The moderate temperatures permitted a gradual harvest, resulting in an elegant, bountiful vintage with classic flavors and excellent concentration.
James Suckling: 98 Points
Aromas of honeysuckle, lemon curd, dried pineapple, matchstick and toasted hazelnut. It’s medium-to full-bodied with crisp acidity and seamless layers of fruit and flint. Great energy and intensity here. Drink or hold.
Wine Advocate: 97 Points
La Carriere is situated at an elevation of around 1,200-1,700 feet with a rocky, shallow, volcanic soil that gives low fertility and is among the lowest yields of all the Peter Michael vineyards. The vineyard is planted to Dijon and Hyde (Old Wente) clone selections. This 2018 Chardonnay la Carriere starts off very citrusy, leaping from the glass with notes of fresh limes and grapefruit, before coming through with alluring honey-drizzled peaches, fresh ginger and preserved kumquat notes. The medium to full-bodied palate is super-intense with beautiful tension lighting up a shimmering palate of citrus and mineral layers, finishing long and steely.
Wine Spectator: 94 Points
Sleek and powerful, with crunchy acidity backing the concentrated white fruit and berry flavors, filled with minerally richness. Hints of dried thyme show on the svelte finish, which offers toasty and buttery accents. Drink now through 2026.