2013 Peter Michael Chardonnay Belle Cote
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Tasting notes
This is very open and fruit driven with papaya, mango, and hints of nuts. Lychee too. Full-bodied, fresh and flavorful. Some phenolic texture. Persistent finish. Lovely purity. Drink now.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2013 Chardonnay Belle Côte, which I had tentatively rated 95 to 97, has turned out to be flirting with perfection. Production was nearly 1,000 cases less than the 2014! Displaying an almost stony liqueur of rocks, lemon butter, and white peach, this is a full-bodied, intense wine with loads of tangerine oil, pineapple jam and that wet stone minerality that runs through it. This extremely massive, rich, super-concentrated wine blew me away in my tasting at the winery. Drink it over the next decade.
About the producer
Founded in 1983 by Sir Peter Michael CBE and his wife Margaret, Peter Michael Winery produces some of California’s finest wines.