93 Wine Advocate

From a cold, rain-plagued year, the 2011 Chardonnay La Carrière exhibits a light straw color with a greenish hue as well as notes of honeyed brioche, orange marmalade, buttery citrus and terrific fruit. More evolved and seductive than the 2010 at present, the 2011 is a beautiful wine... The Peter Michael estate has grown considerably with their vineyards in the Fort Ross-Seaview region of the Sonoma Coast region producing some remarkable Pinot Noirs, and their Chardonnay vineyards in Knights Valley having been at the top of the qualitative hierarchy for many years. (RP) (12/2013)

92 International Wine Cellar

Pale yellow. Deeply pitched aromas of pear, white flowers, anise and smoky minerals. Penetrating and pure, with intense orchard and citrus fruit flavors nicely framed by bright acidity. Nervy and tight in the middle, with a honeyed nuance coming up with air. Shows very good clarity and power on the long, mineral-drenched finish. This Chardonnay is carrying 15.2% alcohol but it doesn't show.(ST) (6/2013)

92 Wine Spectator

Rich and intense, with a somewhat raw texture, this features layers of smoke, crème brûlée, apricot and baked apple, ending with toasty oak and crushed rock. Needs time to unwind. (JL) (7/2013)

Vintage Notes

The 2011 growing season started with a cool wet spring. While our vineyards did not experience any frost, the temperatures delayed bud break. Windy conditions during bloom reduced the size of the crop. The weather from fruit set through harvest stayed even, cool and mild. This coupled with the ample spring rains allowed us to dry farm in this vintage. To ensure proper ripening, we thinned the crop further and managed the canopy meticulously. Harvest occurred one month later than usual, but under ideal weather conditions. We picked the grapes with full flavor development and at a lower than average sugar content. The yields were very low, but the resulting wines are flavorful and elegant, exuding precision and balance.

Winegrowing Notes

La Carrière, French for “the quarry,” aptly describes this vineyard’s bowl shape and its tremendously rocky soils. Situated between 1,200 and 1,700 feet above sea level on steep mountain slopes exceeding forty percent in grade, the vineyard has ideal southern and southeastern exposures. The vineyard’s shallow rocky soils provide excellent drainage, low fertility and usually the lowest yields on the estate. La Carrière, with its concentrated “liquid minerality,” effectively reflects its mountainous origin.

Winemaker Tasting Note

The signature of this vineyard remains its terroir-driven minerality. Aromas of pastry, lily, hazelnut and sweet pear alongside accents of mandarin orange, honey, acacia and vanilla complete the elegant bouquet. Citrus oils, white peach and lemon highlight the minerality. The magnificent concentration and elegance on the palate sculpt the structure of this wine, offering intensity and richness. The 2011 La Carrière is enjoyable now and will continue to develop for seven-plus years.

About Peter Michael Winery

In 1982, after a six year search, Sir Peter Michael and Lady Michael purchased 630 acres of volcanic ridges on the western face of Mount St. Helena in Knights Valley. Drawing inspiration from the great wineries of Burgundy and Bordeaux, the family hired like-minded viticulturists and winemakers to help them create terroir-driven wines that would stand the test of time. Peter Michael Winery Winery produces 15 different bottlings: 3 Cabernet blends, 4 Pinot Noirs, 2 blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, and 6 Chardonnays. With the exception of our two barrel selection Chardonnays, all of these wines are vineyard specific.

Under the direction of vineyard manager Javier Avina, the estate vineyards are farmed by hand in a low-impact, sustainable manner, relying heavily on organic techniques that include some biodynamic practices. Cover crops control erosion, feed the soil and provide a habitat for beneficial insects; eliminating the need for chemical pesticides. Tilling, spraying and mowing are accomplished with tractors. All other operations are done entirely by hand. These include: pruning, suckering, shoot positioning, hedging, crop thinning and harvest. All harvesting is done into 20-pound fruit lugs to insure that the fruit arrives at the winery in pristine condition.