Peter Michael Winery
'Ma Belle-Fille' Chardonnay
Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best of Day 3. The 2015 “Ma Belle-Fille” pours a light gold color with medium+ viscosity. On the nose, developing with notes of fruit cups (the ones with pineapples and peaches), lemon bars, honeysuckle, and cashews. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and buttery but integrates better by Day 3. Leesy. The alcohol is medium+. For my palate, this was tough to love the first couple days as it lacked balance. By Day 3 however, it was quite becoming. Still a baby at 9 years. Drink with immense patience or better yet, after 2028 and through 2035 easy.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best of Day 3. The 2015 “Ma Belle-Fille” pours a light gold color with medium+ viscosity. On the nose, developing with notes of fruit cups (the ones with pineapples and peaches), lemon bars, honeysuckle, and cashews. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and buttery but integrates better by Day 3. Leesy. The alcohol is medium+. For my palate, this was tough to love the first couple days as it lacked balance. By Day 3 however, it was quite becoming. Still a baby at 9 years. Drink with immense patience or better yet, after 2028 and through 2035 easy.
Jul 27th, 2024
Held up clean and bright. Beautiful tropical, butterscotch tones nice acid balance and backbone! 2006 vintage
Held up clean and bright. Beautiful tropical, butterscotch tones nice acid balance and backbone! 2006 vintage
Aug 5th, 2023
Very similar to the 2016 I opened 6-8 months ago, yet more open for business. Some of these wines have a reputation for “large and in charge”, but this was supremely balanced, toeing the line between Sonoma and white burgundy with richness. Whereas Aubert’s chards can be more powerful (and is normally my favorite), I’m always pleasantly surprised at how these show.
Aromatically it revealed sugar frosted stone fruits, guava, white peach, caramel dipped golden delicious apples and baking spices. It has a beautifully textured palate that starts as though it’s going to be dense, but finishes with a gorgeous lifted profile and plenty of acidity. Added notes on the palate of powdered lemon bar, floral honeysuckle, whipped lemon cream and even some honey roasted cashews. I’d pop this 2017 before the 2016 with how open it is, but it will cruise another 7-10yrs, easily.
Very similar to the 2016 I opened 6-8 months ago, yet more open for business. Some of these wines have a reputation for “large and in charge”, but this was supremely balanced, toeing the line between Sonoma and white burgundy with richness. Whereas Aubert’s chards can be more powerful (and is normally my favorite), I’m always pleasantly surprised at how these show.
Aromatically it revealed sugar frosted stone fruits, guava, white peach, caramel dipped golden delicious apples and baking spices. It has a beautifully textured palate that starts as though it’s going to be dense, but finishes with a gorgeous lifted profile and plenty of acidity. Added notes on the palate of powdered lemon bar, floral honeysuckle, whipped lemon cream and even some honey roasted cashews. I’d pop this 2017 before the 2016 with how open it is, but it will cruise another 7-10yrs, easily.
This was my contribution for a big white wine theme, where all bottles were served blind.
Placed in the exact middle of the lineup, I considered this as my wine but wasn’t fully confident. Similar to the 2016 Belle Cote I opened earlier this year, I’m somewhat nicely surprised that this is as beautifully balanced as it is. Some of these wines have a reputation for “large and in charge”, but this was supremely balanced, toeing the line between Sonoma and white burgundy with richness. Aromatically it revealed sugar frosted stone fruits, white peach, caramel dipped golden delicious apples and baking spices. It has a beautifully textured palate that is almost creamy before snapping back with good acidity. Added notes on the palate of powdered lemon bar, floral honeysuckle, and whipped lemon cream. This will age effortlessly for another 7-10yrs, but it sure is giving now.
This was my contribution for a big white wine theme, where all bottles were served blind.
Placed in the exact middle of the lineup, I considered this as my wine but wasn’t fully confident. Similar to the 2016 Belle Cote I opened earlier this year, I’m somewhat nicely surprised that this is as beautifully balanced as it is. Some of these wines have a reputation for “large and in charge”, but this was supremely balanced, toeing the line between Sonoma and white burgundy with richness. Aromatically it revealed sugar frosted stone fruits, white peach, caramel dipped golden delicious apples and baking spices. It has a beautifully textured palate that is almost creamy before snapping back with good acidity. Added notes on the palate of powdered lemon bar, floral honeysuckle, and whipped lemon cream. This will age effortlessly for another 7-10yrs, but it sure is giving now.
Beautiful. The Cali examples present more oak. Loving this for the citrus fruits and acidity. Just throttle back on the oak.
Beautiful. The Cali examples present more oak. Loving this for the citrus fruits and acidity. Just throttle back on the oak.
Apr 27th, 2018Concentrated and focused. Nuanced on the palate. Light oak treatment. Bright acidity. Roasted nuts and grapefruit bring up the rear.
Concentrated and focused. Nuanced on the palate. Light oak treatment. Bright acidity. Roasted nuts and grapefruit bring up the rear.
Apr 27th, 2018
Flamboyant aromas of orange/honeysuckle and green drupe fruits. Light on the front of the palate yet gains steam from there. Warm shortbread with a side of macadamia nuts. Hint of tarragon and white pepper make for a minute plus finish. Decant for at least an hour.
Flamboyant aromas of orange/honeysuckle and green drupe fruits. Light on the front of the palate yet gains steam from there. Warm shortbread with a side of macadamia nuts. Hint of tarragon and white pepper make for a minute plus finish. Decant for at least an hour.
Dec 31st, 2017