While the vines are awakening this spring, and the fresh optimism of another great vintage abounds, it brings me great joy to announce the return of Pinot Noirs, ‘Coeur à Coeur,’ and ‘Cuvée Indigène’ for the 2021 vintage in the Spring 2023 Offer. I hope you enjoy these wines as much as your Peter Michael Winery vineyard and winemaking teams enjoyed creating them.
By Robert Fiore, Winemaker
The year 2020 saw the first February with no rainfall in recorded history. The rains eventually arrived with some particularly late storms into May and even the very beginning of June, which resulted in a good water profile in the soil at the beginning of the growing season. The weather during bloom was temperate and resulted in good fruit set and fairly normal yields. During most of the growing season, 2020 was fairly cool, punctuated by a series of heat spikes in late August and early September, then followed by fairly warm temperatures through harvest.
Following some rain in January and February, the remainder of the 2021 growing season was dry, and the soil profiles in our Knights Valley Estate vineyards were drier than normal. This contributed to a slightly earlier than normal budbreak and bloom.
The drier conditions and earlier budbreak were followed by more variable weather during the Chardonnay blooming period, resulting in less fruit setting and low yields. Moderate summer temperatures allowed for a long, steady ripening period and ultimately highly concentrated, expressive berries for the 2021 vintage. The Chardonnay harvest began on August 18 and was completed on September 20.
Compared to 2020, the Sauvignon Blanc set smaller and fewer clusters, resulting in a lower-yielding year. Although most of the summer had moderate temperatures, there were some heat spikes in mid-June and early July. Despite the early budbreak, the ripening slowed to allow for fairly normal harvest starting dates for the Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon; however, the smaller clusters compressed the overall picking window for the Sauvignon Blanc.
Harvest spanned from August 31 to September 9 for the Sauvignon Blanc and September 25 to October 5 for the Sémillon.
The winter rains were less abundant than average, continuing two years of drier winters at the Seaview Estate. Despite some highly variable spring temperatures, the majority of the bloom period occurred under ideal conditions, resulting in excellent fruit set across all three vineyards. The 2021 growing season was exceptionally mild, with harvest spanning two weeks from September 13 to September 27. The 2021 Seaview Estate Pinot Noirs are vibrant, balanced, and classically styled.
The 2021 growing season in Monterey County was drier than the previous year, and budbreak was more than a week later than normal. Moderate weather conditions during bloom allowed for good fruit set, with cluster counts adjusted to allow well-balanced vines for the remainder of the relatively mild growing season. Foggy mornings with windy afternoons persisted through the steady, warm summer, with a later than normal September 23 harvest date.
From mid-August to late October, crews walk the vineyard rows, hand-harvesting the blocks and filling twenty-pound lugs.
Estate: Knights Valley
Single Vineyard: La Carrière
Planted: 1994
Soil: Rocky, volcanic-origin rhyolite
Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Exposure: South-southeast
Elevation: 1,200–1,700 feet (366–518 meters)
The name La Carrière aptly describes this site’s bowl shape and its tremendously rocky soils. Situated between 1,200 and 1,700 feet (366 and 518 meters) above sea level on steep mountain slopes exceeding 40 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.
Hand-harvested: August 27 to September 8
Vinification: 100% naturally fermented using native yeast
100% barrel fermented in 100% French oak from select artisan coopers
Aging: Barrel-aged sur lies twelve months with weekly bâtonnage
Bottled unfiltered: February 3, 2023
Alcohol: 15.3%
Release Date: April 1, 2023
Estate: Knights Valley
Single Vineyard: Belle Côte
Planted: 1990
Soil: Volcanic-origin rhyolite
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Exposure: South-southeast
Elevation: 1,700–1,750 feet (518–533 meters)
As the oldest of the four Peter Michael Winery estate Chardonnay blocks, Belle Côte exemplifies the consistent quality of Chardonnay these mountain vineyards produce. Due to the naturally cool climate of the site’s high elevation, mitigation of exposure to the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure, and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are allowed to slowly ripen. The growing season for Belle Côte typically extends into October, two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Counties.
Hand-harvested: September 3 to September 18
Vinification: 100% naturally fermented using native yeast 100% barrel-fermented in 100% French oak from select artisan coopers
Aging: Barrel-aged sur lies for twelve months with weekly bâtonnage
Bottled unfiltered: February 6, 2023
Alcohol: 15.1%
Release Date: April 1, 2023
Intense orange blossom, lemon custard, and jasmine burst from the glass of the 2021 ‘Belle Cote.’ This highly aromatic bouquet continues with rose petal and lychee underlain by orange marmalade bass notes. The rich entry and dense mid-palate show the depth created by our oldest Chardonnay vines. Hints of orange peel, pastry, and lemon curd lead to a long, polished finish. ‘Belle Cote’ can be enjoyed in its exuberant youth or after decades of cellaring.
Estate: Knights Valley
Vineyards: Belle Côte, La Carrière, Ma Belle-Fille
Planted: 1990–1999
Soil: Rocky, volcanic-origin rhyolite
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Exposure: South-southeast
Elevation: 1,400–1,800 feet (427–549 meters)
‘Cuvée Indigène’ is blended from multiple estate vineyard blocks, all planted to the Old Wente clone. The Wente family brought over the clone by hand in 1912 from delicate clippings obtained at the University of Montpellier in southeastern France. The clone gained recognition after the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay won the famed 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting. Characteristics of the clone include small berries in the bunches of fruit with thick skins, a golden hay color, good mineral content, low sugar, sweet notes of baking spices, and big, bright acidity with luscious citrus fruit flavors.
Hand-harvested: September 2 to September 20
Vinification: 100% naturally fermented using native yeast 100% barrel fermented in 100% French oak from select artisan coopers
Aging: Barrel-aged sur lies twelve months with weekly bâtonnage
Bottled unfiltered: February 3, 2023
Alcohol: 15.3%
Release Date: April 1, 2023
The 2021 ‘Cuvée Indigène’ soars from the glass with a medley of lemon blossom, jasmine, white rose, pear, candied lemon, and orange peel. The intense entry leads to a mouth-watering, expressive mid-palate with great focus and structure. This lively, dense, and superbly balanced ‘Cuvée Indigène’ showcases ample gras, remarkable texture, and tremendous length. Expansive yet precise, the 2021 ‘Cuvée Indigène’ will benefit from fifteen years of cellaring.
Estate: Knights Valley
Vineyards: Les Pavots
Planted: 1995
Soil: Volcanic-origin rhyolite
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc (Preston 70%, Musqué 30%), Sémillon
Exposure: South-southeast
Elevation: 1,000–1,400 feet (305–427 meters)
‘Coeur à Coeur’ is the ultimate expression of our passion for Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit is grown alongside our red Bordeaux varieties in the L’Après-Midi block of our Knights Valley Estate. The grapes were picked and sorted by hand, the whole cluster pressed and then naturally fermented in barrel. No malolactic fermentation is conducted in order to preserve the vibrant acidity. Both varietals were aged separately on their lees for eight to nine months with gentle bâtonnage before assembly of the final cuvée.
Hand-harvested: August 31 to October 5
Blend: 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Sémillon
Vinification: 100% naturally fermented using native yeasts, 100% barrel fermented in French oak from select artisan coopers
Aging: Barrel-aged sur lies eight months with gentle biweekly bâtonnage
Bottled unfined: May 9, 2022
Alcohol: 15.4%
Release Date: April 1, 2023
The brilliant, light yellow 2021 ‘Coeur à Coeur’ revels in a fragrant bouquet of lime blossom, guava, apricot, and jasmine, with supporting notes of honey, vanilla cream, and crème brûlée. The broad entry showcases rich beeswax and raw honey, followed by a mouth-watering, fleshy mid-palate with generous mouthfeel overlying a well-structured, acid-supported frame. This seamless ‘Coeur à Coeur’ shows exceptional balance and length and will reward long cellaring.
Planted: 1991
Block: Le Moulin Rouge
Soil: Decomposed granite
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Exposure: East-northeast
Elevation: 1,300 feet (396 meters)
The Pinot Noir for ‘Le Moulin Rouge’ is grown on the gentle slopes of the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County. The vineyard’s coastal soil and climate add a dense, yet delicate, richness to the wine’s complexity. The clone, originally selected from Burgundy’s Grand Cru, produces naturally small clusters and berries, fashioning a wine with opulent perfume and distinct varietal expression. The profile of the fruit is retained with gentle, manual punch-downs, while the barrel-aging regimen contributes to the wine’s gorgeous, silky tannins.
Hand-harvested: September 23
Vinification: 100% naturally fermented using native yeast
Aging: Aged sixteen months in 50% new French oak barrels from select artisan cooperse
Bottled unfined and unfiltered: February 10, 2023
Alcohol: 15.1%
Release Date: April 1, 2023
The 2021 ‘Le Moulin Rouge’ leads with bright cherry, fresh strawberry, and black raspberry notes supported by subtle clove, vanilla bean, and dark chocolate flourishes. The silky, smooth texture embraces a palate of red and black fruit flavors, which continue through the plush, generous finish. This ‘Le Moulin Rouge’ is approachable in its youth but can reward cellaring for a decade.
Estate: Seaview
Block: Le Caprice
Planted: 2006–2007
Soil: Rocky alluvial sediments, decomposing volcanic materials
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Exposure: East-northeast
Elevation: 1,000–1,300 feet (305–396 meters)
Situated over 1,000 feet (305 meters) above sea level on steep mountain slopes, some exceeding 50 percent in grade, the vineyard site faces east and northeast. It benefits from both the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean, just on the other side of the coastal ridge, and the mild, sunny mountain climate. The soil of the vineyard is a composite of clay, silt, and volcanic gravels, which produces a wine with polished tannins, body, and a hint of graphite minerality. ‘Le Caprice’ presents the most fruit-driven style among the trio of estate Pinot Noirs.
Hand-harvested: September 13 to September 27
Vinification: 100% naturally fermented using native yeast
Aging: Aged sixteen months in 50% new French oak barrels from select artisan coopers
Bottled unfined and unfiltered: February 9, 2023
Alcohol: 14.9%
Release Date: April 1, 2023
The lovely, deep garnet 2021 ‘Le Caprice’ offers a stunning array of blackberry, ripe raspberry, violets, and black cherry in an exuberantly expressive nose. The refreshingly fruit-driven palate delivers a smooth, seamless texture and plush mouthfeel supported by sandalwood and black truffle notes. Delicious to enjoy now, the 2021 ‘Le Caprice’ will reward two to ten years of cellaring.
Estate: Knights Valley
Block: Les Pavots
Planted: 1989–1999
Soil: Volcanic-origin rhyolite
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Exposure: South
Elevation: 1,000–1,400 feet (305–427 meters)
Grown on the slopes of Mount Saint Helena in Knights Valley, the distinctive aromas and flavors of our proprietary blend display their mountain origins. Rocky, rhyolitic soils created through volcanic activity millennia ago contribute a mineral richness and add to the wine’s complexity. Spanning 49 acres (20 hectares), Les Pavots ascends to an elevation of nearly 1,400 feet (427 meters). Merlot and Cabernet Franc grow on the cool upper slopes, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot below.
Hand-harvested: September 15 to October 21
Blend: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot
Aging: Aged eighteen months in 100% French oak barrels from select artisan coopers
Bottled unfined: May 12, 2022
Alcohol: 15.7%
Release Date: April 1, 2023
The complex bouquet of blackberry, boysenberry, black cherry, crème de cassis, and dark chocolate with floral notes of dried rose petals and violets exude from the glass of the captivating, shimmering deep red-robed 2020 ‘Les Pavots.’ A plush, graceful entry builds to a broad mid-palate supported by very fine tannins. Black tea, dark chocolate, graphite, caramel, and savory notes culminate in a late mid-palate burst before resolving in a long, smooth finish. This is a classy, refined ‘Les Pavots.’
The Michael family planted the first vines of Les Pavots vineyard in 1983. While the first vintage was 1988, the wine was not released until the 1989 vintage. Today, the vineyard continues to be mindfully replanted based on the learnings of the past forty years. The quality of the wine reflects the efforts and collaboration of the teams to craft a benchmark cabernet sauvignon blend from the distinct, volcanic soils of Mount St. Helena.
“Les Pavots is the roots and legacy of Peter Michael Winery.”
Peter Michael Winery currently produces sixteen different bottlings: four red Bordeaux blends, four Pinot Noirs, two white Bordeaux wines, and six Chardonnays. Limited quantities of nine wines are distributed and seven wines are only available to our mailing list members. Except for our two barrel selection Chardonnays, all wines are vineyard specific. And all but one are estate grown. Our goal is to present a true reflection of the vineyard terroir in the glass. The variances between the wines are achieved by allowing the vineyard’s character to show through. Above all, the wines remain true to our founding credo: “Mountain vineyards, classical winemaking, limited production.”
