Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
When tasted last year, the 2008 Chardonnay Cuvee Indigene came across as somewhat monolithic, but it blossomed beautifully in the barrel and now from the bottle, it appears to be a striking example of Chardonnay from Peter Michael. Buttery, honeyed tropical fruit, spring flower, white peach and citrus aromas jump from the glass of this aromatic 2008. On the palate, it is deep, rich, concentrated and almost as big, full-bodied and layered as Peter Michael’s flagship, limited production Chardonnay called Point Rouge. The stunning Cuvee Indigene has come on like gangbusters over the last year.
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Wine Spectator
Rich, exotic aromas of tropical fruit, fig, melon, spice and honeysuckle lead to a full body in this expansive wine. This gains mineral and subtle hazelnut notes on a long, lingering finish.
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.