2007 Peter Michael Chardonnay Cuvée Indigene
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Tasting notes
The amazing 2007 Chardonnay Cuvee Indigene reveals plenty of waxy, leesy, honeysuckle notes intermixed with orange marmalade, brioche, pineapple, and white citrus scents. The wine is buttressed by considerable acidity and a remarkable finish. This extraordinary effort may be the finest Cuvee Indigene I have ever tasted. Drink it over the next decade. Brothers Nicolas and Luc Morlet (the former the winemaker and the latter a consultant) told me that 2008 was one of the smallest crops they have encountered, largely because of the late spring frosts, and windy conditions during flowering. Yields were low, but the quality was among the highest they have ever seen for Chardonnay, with a level of concentration reminiscent of the 2002s. As I indicated in issue #180, Peter Michael’s 2007 Chardonnays are spectacular. Production is about 30% higher per cuvee than in 2008, and these are exquisite efforts with lots of uplift, minerality, zesty aromatics, and refreshing acids. This year I should have a chance to taste the estate plantings from the huge investments Sir Peter Michael has made in Pinot Noir vineyards on the Sonoma Coast. In the meantime, here are some interesting efforts from sites where they contract for fruit. Tel. (707) 942-3200; Fax (707) 942-0209
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Hazy, pale chartreuse color. An exotically perfumed nose displays heady aromas of citrus and orchard fruits, minerals, nougat and dried flowers, with a slow-mounting saffron quality. Deep, weighty pear and Meyer lemon flavors are underscored by smoky mineral and lees notes, which gain power with aeration. Smooth, spherical and strikingly persistent on the very long finish, which repeats the floral and smoky notes.
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.