Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The oldest Chardonnay vineyard Peter Michael uses is Belle Côte. The 2014 Chardonnay Belle Côte, from old Wente clones of Chardonnay planted in 1990, shows notes of crème brûlée, orange marmalade, crushed rock and white peach. It has stunning richness, full-bodied intensity, and a long, long finish. Range: 95-98 Points
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Wine Spectator
A classy effort, with a mix of ripe pear, honeydew, honeysuckle, citrus and light cedary oak, all well-proportioned. Ends with a layered aftertaste that shows a touch of pithiness.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A small and picturesque valley separating Napa Valley on its south border and Alexander Valley to its north, Knights Valley excels in similar varieties as the two aforementioned appellations, namely red Bordeaux varieties and blends, as well as Sauvignon blanc. Originally established by Beringer Vineyards, today several outstanding producers claim acreage here. The circadian cooling effects of the nearby Pacific Ocean create a nighttime respite for vineyards during the hot growing season.