Peter Michael Belle Cote Chardonnay 2002

"The 2002 Chardonnay Belle Cote (2,780 cases) is a big offering. Filled with pure tropical fruit characteristics, it is a full-bodied, exotic Chardonnay offering up tremendous notes of smoky hazelnuts as well as lychee nuts presented in a ripe, gorgeously balanced style with a decidedly California personality, but with more definition than most California Chardonnays of this size and intensity. It is made primarily from the old Wente clone of Chardonnay planted on clay-dominated soils. It is best drunk during its first 3-4 years of life."
-Wine Advocate

Aromas of orange blossom, lemon, and tropical fruits fill the nose. Refined notes of oak are expressed as toasted biscuit. Rich fruit flavors expand on the palate; candied ginger, dried apricot, fresh red apple and citrus oils are evident from start to finish. New oak tones of vanilla enhanced by the toast level of the barrel nicely balance a mineral-toned acid finish. A medium bodied Chardonnay with an elegant aftertaste.

This comes from our Belle Côte vineyard- the first vineyard developed in a series of Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards. Back in 1989 we discovered the potential of this high mountain elevation site when our research revealed cool maritime breezes, rocky, well-drained soils of low fertility, and an ideal exposure to the morning sun.