2019 Peter Michael Chardonnay La Carriere Knights Valley

WA96-97 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. A tank sample due to be bottled in the next day or so, the 2019 Chardonnay la Carriere reveals delicate scents of fresh green apples, white peaches and preserved lemons with hints of chalk dust, orange blossoms and coriander seed. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers a satiny texture with bags of freshness lifting the mineral-tinged citrus flavors to a long finish. 2,836 cases were made.

Estate Notes: Aromatics derived from the terroir-driven minerality of the vineyard block resonate on the nose, reminiscent of oyster shell combined with fragrant jasmine blossom, lemon-lime zest, and fresh brioche. Decadent and creamy on the palate, the wine expresses exquisite flavors of Williams pear and Golden Reinette apple, accentuated by delightful pain d’épices with toasted almonds. The superb concentration is elegantly balanced by crisp acidity, sculpting the structure of this wine much like a grand cru. The 2019 ‘La Carrière’ will mature gracefully for the next two decades. 100% naturally fermented using native yeast 100% barrel fermented in 100% French oak from select artisan coopers Barrel-aged sur lies twelve months with weekly bâtonnage.