Belle Côte

'Belle Côte', French for “Beautiful Slope”, was named by Sir Peter after the famous ski run in Courchevel, France. The oldest of the four Knights Valley Estate Chardonnay vineyards, ‘Belle Côte’ consistently exemplifies the potential of crafting exceptionally high-quality Chardonnay from our mountain vineyards. Planted at 1,700 to 1,800 feet (518 to 549 meters), Belle Côte has a southeastern exposure and a western border of native trees, which shelter the vines from the hot afternoon sun. These unique attributes create a naturally cool microclimate that provides an extended growing period and slow-ripening fruit, resulting in a later picking schedule that often continues into October (two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Counties).

Vintage Notes

The combination of a wet winter with significant rains in December through March and cool weather delayed budbreak nearly a month. Flowering and fruit set were also pushed back and the weather during the later flowering was favorable resulting in decent fruit set and slightly above average yields for the Chardonnay vineyards—a marked improvement over the record-low yielding 2022 vintage. The growing season was temperate without major heat spikes allowing the berries to hold onto their acidity which carried through into the wines. Harvest was almost a month later than normal with the last Belle Côte block coming in on November 2nd.

Winegrowing Notes

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, and mitigated 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.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

With highly expressive aromatics of orange blossom, jasmine, candied orange peel, and rose petal, the 2023 'Belle Côte' showcases its unique terroir and thirty-three-year-old vines with a rich, creamy entry, dense, broad, juicy mid-palate and a lengthy, refined finish. There is a seamless quality to this wine that matches power, gras, and intensity with structure and weightlessness. The 2023 'Belle Côte' can be enjoyed in its youth or after many years of cellaring.

Vintage Notes

After an adequate amount of rain in December preceding the 2022 growing season, January and February were both dry which triggered a slightly early budbreak in the Chardonnay vineyards. An early spring frost tempered potential yields. During bloom the weather was highly variable, culminating in an early May storm that brought hail, snow, and rain which dramatically reduced fruit set and ultimately yields for all the Chardonnay blocks. A moderate July was followed by some heat spikes in August and record high temperatures during several days in early September, followed by a temperate last half of September. The Chardonnay harvest began on August 15th and was completed on October 4th.

Winegrowing Notes

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, and mitigated 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.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

The depth and complexity of old-vine Chardonnay are showcased in the enticingly expansive orange blossom, white peach, rose petal, and manuka honey nose of the 2022 'Belle Côte' Chardonnay. The rich texture on entry builds to a broad, structured mid-palate with a creamy, viscous mouthfeel with intense orange marmalade flavors and accents of clove and nougat leading to a round, seamless finish. The 2022 'Belle Côte' is a balanced, yet powerful wine that promises to reward several years of cellaring.

Vintage Notes

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^th and completed on September 20^th.

Winegrowing Notes

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, and mitigated 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.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Intense orange blossom, lemon custard, and jasmine burst from the glass of the 2021 ‘Belle Côte’. This highly aromatic bouquet continues with rose petals 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 Côte can be enjoyed in its exuberant youth or after decades of cellaring.

Vintage Notes

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. The late spring rainfall produced a good water profile in the soil at the beginning of the growing season. As a result, the fruit set was variable in our Chardonnay vineyards, bringing lower yields but high-quality fruit. For our Knights Valley Estate Chardonnay vineyards, 2020 was overall a cooler growing season punctuated with a series of heat spikes in August and September. The Chardonnay harvest spanned six weeks, with the first Ma Belle-Fille block harvested on August 19 and the last Belle Côte block coming in on September 30.

Winegrowing Notes

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 from its southeastern exposure, and a stand of trees on the western border, the vines are allowed to ripen slowly. The growing season for Belle Côte typically extends into October two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Counties.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Intense aromas of orange blossom, nectarine, peach, and rose petals showcase the marriage of remarkable old-vine Chardonnay with an exceptionally unique terroir in the 2020 ‘Belle Côte.’ The rich, beautifully creamy entry with mouthfeel is followed by a broad, powerful yet balanced mid-palate and an extraordinarily long finish. Hints of toasted almond and pain d’épices embrace an expressive core of marmalade, custard, and nougat. A wonderfully balanced wine, the 2020 ‘Belle Côte’ is approachable in its youth but will continue to blossom for more than a decade.

Vintage Notes

While the winter of 2019 was wet with generous amounts of rainfall, the rocky, volcanic soil and subsoils of our estates were able to drain efficiently, releasing the excessive moisture content in the soil. From the physiological steps of budbreak to veraison, the temperatures were variable with some lows and highs. The subsequent long and quite mild summer was ideal to preserve freshness and finesse. The yields were average, but picking decisions and proper sorting were critical to achieving wines of balance, ripeness, generosity, and elegance.

Winegrowing Notes

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, and mitigated 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.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Beautiful aromas of rose petal, lychee nut, and orange blossom reflect the origin of this wine and the inimitable Chardonnay characteristics developed due to the naturally slow ripening of the fruit. On the palate, flavorful honey nougat, marmalade, and delightful crème brûlée are underscored with savory notes of almond and walnut. Belle Côte is a dynamic Chardonnay, marrying delicate freshness with dense creamy brioche. Approachable young, the 2019 ‘Belle Côte’ will blossom with two years of cellaring and will continue to develop for a decade or more.

Vintage Notes

The 2018 growing season began with abundant winter rainfall. Spring weather was cool and blooming, while delayed a bit, took place in almost perfect conditions resulting in a generous fruit set. The vines were vigorous thanks to the winter rains. Aggressive canopy management and fruit thinning brought the crop into optimal balance. Summer temperatures were moderate with no severe heat spikes. An extended Indian summer allowed our Chardonnay to gradually reach perfect ripeness. The moderate temperatures permitted a gradual harvest, resulting in an elegant, bountiful vintage with classic flavors and excellent concentration.

Winegrowing Notes

As the oldest of the four Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these mountain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high-quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season typically extends into October, two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

The nose is distinctly powerfully hedonistic and intense with aromas of rose petal, lychee nut, orange blossom and acacia, with a background of mineral, yellow peach, candied orange, greengage, toasted almond and nougat. Creamy and weighty in the mouth, the palate is seamless and rich. Accents of pain grillé, almond, honey, hazelnut and brioche, with crisp natural acidity and minerals complete the mouth feel. Approachable now, the 2018 Belle Côte will blossom with two years of cellaring and will continue to develop for a decade or more.

Vintage Notes

The 2017 growing season began with abundant rainfall, ending California’s long drought. Spring weather was cool but dry, resulting in an extended blooming period and some shatter. Vines were vigorous thanks to the winter rains and aggressive canopy management and fruit thinning brought the crop into optimal balance. Warmer than normal conditions after veraison accelerated ripening and required careful irrigation to mitigate dehydration. A return of cooler conditions allowed our Chardonnay to gradually reach perfect ripeness. Picking was completed on September 28 with a slightly smaller than normal harvest, resulting in a forward, exotic vintage of Chardonnay with wines showing uncommon richness.

Winegrowing Notes

As the oldest of the four Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these mountain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high-quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season typically extends into October, two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Very intense and powerful, the nose reveals hedonistic aromas of lychee nut, rose petal and orange blossom, with a background of mineral, candied orange, yellow peach, crème brûlée, nougat, whole nut and toasted almond. The rich seamless palate is very creamy and weighty in the mouth. Notes of pain grillé, marmalade, brioche and hazelnut coupled with natural acidity and minerality complete the mouth feel. The 2017 Belle Côte is enjoyable now and will continue to develop for a decade or more.

Vintage Notes

The near perfect 2016 growing season started with a warm February and early bud break. While California’s drought continued, rains were sufficient to meet the vineyard’s needs. Cool damp conditions at blooming resulted in a smaller than normal fruit set. After veraison, a single pass of green harvest brought the crop into optimal balance. Overall, the vintage was slightly cooler than average, with consistently warm and sunny conditions and only one heat spike. Moderate temperatures at harvest allowed gradual picking as each block achieved perfection, providing excellent flavor development and slightly lower potential alcohol. The vintage produced delicate, classically styled Chardonnays with crisp acidity and uncommon ageability.

Winegrowing Notes

As the oldest of the four Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these mountain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season typically extends into October, two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

The nose is distinctly intense and powerfully hedonistic with aromas of lychee nut, rose petal, acacia and orange blossom, with a background of mineral, candied orange, yellow peach, greengage, nougat, and toasted almond. Creamy and weighty in the mouth, the palate is rich and seamless. Accents of pain grillé, honey, almond, brioche and hazelnut, with crisp natural acidity and minerals complete the mouth feel. Approachable now, the 2016 Belle Côte will blossom with two years of cellaring and will continue to develop or a decade or more.

Vintage Notes

The winter was dry, with only 75% of normal rainfall, continuing four years of drought. Unseasonably warm temperatures accelerated bud break by three to four weeks. While May brought welcomed rain, the cool moist conditions extended the blooming period and led to an uneven fruit set. The crop was small and hand thinning, to ensure even maturation, reduced the yields further. Steady warm temperatures dominated the remainder of the growing season providing ideal ripening conditions. No doubt affected by the drought, juice yields were the lowest ever for our estate Chardonnay. Flavors and acidity remained exceptionally bright, balanced and concentrated, resulting in a very small but intense and elegant 2015 vintage.

Winegrowing Notes

As the oldest of the four Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these mountain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season typically extends into October, two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Very intense and powerful, the nose reveals hedonistic aromas of lychee nut, rose petal and orange blossom, with a background of mineral, candied orange, yellow peach, greengage, nougat, whole nut and toasted almond. The rich seamless palate is very creamy and weighty in the mouth. Notes of pain grillé, marmalade, brioche and hazelnut coupled with natural acidity and minerality complete the mouth feel. The 2015 Belle Côte is enjoyable now and will continue to develop for at least two decades.

Vintage Notes

The winter was dry with only 70% of normal rainfall, continuing three years of drought. Unseasonably warm temperatures in early spring accelerated bud break by four weeks. The growing season benefited from moderate temperatures. However, early use of drip irrigation was critical for the health of the vines. Only one pass of thinning was required to achieve a balanced crop load. Ideal Indian summer conditions allowed us to calmly harvest each block as it achieved optimal ripeness. Yields were higher than average, but due to dehydration the skins and the pulps of the berries were thicker than normal, resulting in low juice yields at the press, and exceptional concentration in the wines.

Winegrowing Notes

As the oldest of the four Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these mountain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season typically extends into October (two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties).

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

The nose is distinctly intense and powerfully hedonistic with aromas of lychee nut, mangosteen, passion fruit, citrus, rose petal and orange blossom, with a background of mineral, candied orange, yellow peach, greengage, nougat, and toasted almond. Creamy and weighty in the mouth, the palate is rich and seamless. Accents of pain grillé, almond and brioche, with crisp natural acidity and minerals complete the mouth feel. The 2014 Belle Côte is enjoyable now and will continue to develop its unique expression of terroir for at least a decade.

Vintage Notes

The 2013 growing season began with a dry spring and mild temperatures, as did the previous vintage. In early May, two days of violent winds damaged our Chardonnay vineyards. This resulted in uneven bloom and set, despite the otherwise ideal weather conditions. The vineyard crew carefully repruned the vines and executed multiple passes of green harvest. The already small crop was further reduced to one cluster per shoot, bringing the vines back into balance and ensuring the quality of the harvest. From veraison through picking, the vines enjoyed ideal ripening conditions. A long Indian summer allowed the fruit to reach perfect maturity and contributed to the exceptional quality of this small vintage.

Winegrowing Notes

As the oldest of the four Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these mountain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season typically extends into October (two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties).

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Very intense and powerful, the nose reveals hedonistic aromas of lychee nut, white vine rose, citrus, rose petal and orange blossom, with a background of mineral, bergamot orange, candied orange, yellow peach, greengage, nougat, whole nut and toasted almond. The rich seamless palate is very creamy and weighty in the mouth. Notes of brioche, almond and pain grillé coupled with natural acidity and minerals complete the mouth feel. The wine will continue to develop for at least two decades.

Vintage Notes

Classic and well-balanced only begins to explain the beauty of the 2012 vintage. Conditions were optimal with ideal spring bud break, even flowering and fruit set, and plenty of warm, long summer days. A few small heat spikes in September and October brought great concentration and color to the fruit. A long Indian summer of mild temperatures and sunny days was an important factor in the ripening process. We thinned the crop rigorously, keeping only the most perfect clusters. The vineyard crew was able to harvest when the fruit had reached perfect balance and ripeness levels. The 2012 Chardonnay vintage displays exceptional structure and quality.

Winegrowing Notes

As the oldest of four Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these mountain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season typically extends into October (two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties).

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Very intense and powerfully hedonistic aromas of lychee nut, citrus, rose petal and orange blossom, with a background of mineral, bergamot orange, candied orange, yellow peach, nutmeg, nougat, whole nut and toasted almond. The rich seamless palate is weighty in the mouth and very creamy. Notes of brioche, saffron and pain grillé coupled with natural acidity and minerals complete the mouth feel. The wine will continue to develop for at least two decades.

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

As the oldest of three Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these mountain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season typically extends into October (two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties).

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Distinctly intense and powerfully hedonistic aromas of lychee nut, citrus and rose petal come to mind with a pronounced back-ground of mineral, orange, caramel, dry apricot, ”Reinette” apple, toasted almond and notes of quince. Brioche and pain grille complete a creamy mouth feel. The 2011 Belle Côte is enjoyable now and will continue to develop its unique expression of terroir for seven-plus years.

Vintage Notes

Overall, the 2010 vintage was very mild resulting in a small production of beautiful fruit. Unusually late spring rains delayed bud break by almost a full month. Temperatures remained moderate, but steady throughout the summer with ripening proceeding at a very gradual pace. Extensive canopy management and crop thinning by our vineyard team insured proper maturation of the fruit. The late start to the growing season resulted in a late harvest. However, a welcome burst of heat in early September pushed the grapes to their optimal ripeness. Picking proceeded quickly, beginning in late September and into mid October. Flavors and acidity remained bright and balanced, yielding a small but intense and elegant 2010 vintage of Chardonnay.

Winegrowing Notes

As the oldest of three Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these mountain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season typically extends into October (two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties).

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Distinctly intense and powerfully hedonistic aromas of lychee nut, citrus and rose petal come to mind with a pronounced background of mineral, candied orange, yellow peach, nutmeg and a final touch of toasted almond. Weighty in the mouth and creamy, the palate is rich and seamless. High natural acidity and notes of brioche and pain grillé complete the mouth feel. The 2010 Belle Côte is enjoyable now and will continue to develop its unique expression of terroir for at least a decade.

Vintage Notes

The lack of spring frosts coupled with later than usual rainfall made for an uneventful start to the 2009 vintage. As the growing season progressed, there were very few heat spikes, reducing the need for drip irrigation. Bloom occurred during consistently warm, sunny days, which extended late into the summer, allowing for optimal maturity. These perfect conditions allowed us to calmly pick the Chardonnay at the peak of ripeness during the last two weeks of September. As a result, the 2009 wines are very intense and complex with a pronounced bouquet of blossoms, fruit and minerals. The length of the wines is impressively lingering and perfumed, promising excellent aging potential.

Winegrowing Notes

As the oldest of three Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these mountain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season typically extends into October (two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties).

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Noticeably intense and powerfully hedonistic aromas of lychee nut, citrus, rose petal and orange blossom come to mind with a distinct background of mineral, bergamot orange, yellow peach, nutmeg, whole nut and toasted almond. The mouthfeel is weighty and rich creating a creamy, seamless palate. Notes of brioche and pain grillé coupled with crisp natural acidity make for a wonderfully balanced finish. The 2009 Belle Cote is already expressive and will continue to develop its unique character for at least a decade.

Vintage Notes

A warm dry winter resulted in early bud break. Spring frosts coupled with strong winds in May caused some damage in our highest altitude blocks. This necessitated repruning to balance the vines. Bloom occurred in ideal conditions with warm sunny days. As the fruit developed, we observed naturally small yields. During maturation, hand thinning trimmed the crop to ensure even ripening. The warm days and low yields accelerated maturation. The Chardonnay harvest started slightly early in late August and continued to September 25. During barrel maturation, the 2008 wines displayed intensity and the promise of long aging potential.

Winegrowing Notes

As the oldest of three Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these mountain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season typically extends into October (two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties).

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Distinctly intense and powerfully hedonistic aromas of lychee nut, citrus and rose petal come to mind with a pronounced background of mineral, candied orange, yellow peach, nutmeg and a final touch of toasted almond. Weighty in the mouth and creamy, the palate is rich and seamless. High natural acidity and notes of brioche and pain grillé complete the mouth feel. The 2008 Belle Côte is enjoyable now and will continue to develop its unique character for at least a decade.

Vintage Notes

The 2007 growing season began dry. Bud break, bloom and set occurred a bit early and very evenly. The weather was ideal for fruit development from May through harvest, with warm days and cool nights. This contrast of day and night temperatures is ideal for the biosynthesis of the aroma and phenolic compounds. These perfect weather conditions allowed us to calmly pick the Chardonnay at the peak of ripeness. As a result, the 2007 wines are very intense and complex with a pronounced bouquet of blossoms, fruit and mineral. The length of the wines is impressively lingering and perfumed, promising excellent aging potential.

Winegrowing Notes

As the oldest of three Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these mountain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season typically extends into October (two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties).

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Very intense and powerfully hedonistic aromas of lychee nuts, citrus, rose petal and orange blossom, with a background of mineral, bergamot orange, candied orange, yellow peach, nutmeg, whole nut and toasted almond. The rich seamless palate is weighty in the mouth and very creamy. Notes of brioche and pain grillé coupled with crisp natural acidity complete the mouth feel. The wine is already expressive and will continue to develop for at least a decade.

Vintage Notes

Winter and spring were very wet, with hail and snow. A late spring cold snap caused slight frost damage, but did not affect quality. Bud break, bloom and set occurred a bit late but evenly. The weather was nearly ideal for fruit development after May. While there was one sharp heat spike in July, diligent attention by the vineyard staff avoided any crop damage. As the fruit matured, hand thinning trimmed the yields to a moderately low level, allowing a pure expression of terroir. Our high mountainside location kept our vines above the September fog, sparing us the Botrytis issues that damaged the Chardonnay in lower areas.

Winegrowing Notes

As the oldest of three Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these mountain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season typically extends into October (two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties).

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Distinctly intense and powerfully hedonistic aromas of lychee nuts, citrus and rose petals come to mind with a background of mineral, candied orange, yellow peach, nutmeg and a final touch of cedar. Weighty in the mouth and creamy, the palate is rich and seamless. High natural acidity and notes of brioche and pain grillé complete the mouth feel. The 2006 Belle Côte is enjoyable now and will continue to develop its unique character for a decade.

Vintage Notes

Winter 2004 was characterized by persistent heavy rains, giving way to a sustained heat spell mid-way through March, thereby granting us an early-to-normal bud break for our Chardonnay. The bloom period was sunny and warm throughout May and resulted in great berry set. Following a hot, dry summer, we entered the final stages of ripening at a consistent, steady and even pace. Because of sustained temperatures in the 90’s, harvest began early in late August and culminated midway through September

Winegrowing Notes

The oldest of our estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how well these mountain vineyards consistently produce exceptional Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of its high elevation, and the shelter from the hot afternoon sun that its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border provides, the fruit is very slow to ripen. As a result, the 2004 harvest produced deeply concentrated, yet delicate fruit flavors balanced by excellent acidity

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Distinctly intense, muscular and hedonistic. Aromas of roses, lychee nuts and citrus blossom mingle with a background of minerals and spices, with a final touch of nutmeg and cedar. Full-bodied and creamy, the palate displays a rich, sensual, seamless texture. High natural acidity and notes of brioche and pain grillé complete the mouth feel. The 2004 Belle Côte is enjoyable now and will continue to develop its unique character for 7+ years.

Vintage Notes

A mild and fairly dry spring ushered in a healthy start for the vines in 2002. An even bloom and fruit-set provided an above average crop size which allowed crop thinning as the season dictated. Several heat spikes during the summer were balanced by the cool marine breezes that wash over our estate's high elevation vineyards. A final flush of heat over Labor Day weekend brought the fruit to optimal ripeness.

Winegrowing Notes

The advantages of Belle Cote's mountain site were obvious in 2002. In addition to its cooling elevation, hot temperatures late in the growing season were mitigated by its slightly eastern exposure by keeping the fruit out of the potent afternoon sun. A prompt harvest revealed exceptional ripeness without the loss of acidity. In the cellar, a slow, cool natural fermentation in barrel was allowed to take place to expose Belle Cote's elusive nature.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Distinctly intense and hedonistic. Rich and exotic perfumed aromas and flavors of rose, apple, mango, lychee nuts and orange (bergamote candy); a background of minerals, spices and hazelnut. Deep, full-bodied and concentrated on the palate from the start to its long finish. The 2002 Belle Cote is ready to drink and will continue to develop for 7+ years.

Vintage Notes

This comes from our Belle Cote vineyard-the rst vineyard developed in a series of Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vine­yards. Back in 1989 we discovered the potential of this high mountain elevation site when our research revealed cool mari­ time breezes, rocky, well-drained soils oflow fertility, and an ideal exposure to the morning sun. We planted the vineyard in 1990 using a classical vertical trellis system and a relatively dense spacing of 1200 vines per acre. Belle Cote was planted to three clonal selections of Chardonnay. One third was planted to the "Rued" clone, one third to the famous "Old Wente" clone and one third to the "See" clone. Cuttings of the Chardonnay clones were eld selected from exceptional vineyards. Sir Peter named the vineyard Belle Cote, which means "beautiful slope", after the famous ski run in Courcheval, France.

Winegrowing Notes

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

The 2000 Belle Cote shows off intensely exotic aromas of rose, lychee and orange peel, while offering candied pear and citrus oils in the mouth. The round and smooth palate finishes as exotic as it starts. Will age well for 4-5 years.

Vintage Notes

This is our fourth vintage release from our Belle Cote vineyard - the first vineyard developed in a series of Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards. Back in 1989 we discovered the potential of this high mountain elevation site when our research revealed cool maritime breezes, rocky, well-drained soils oflow fertility, and an ideal exposure to the morning sun. We planted the vineyard in 1990 using a classical vertical trellis system and a relatively dense spacing of 1200 vines per acre. Belle Cote was divided equally between three clonal selections of Chardonnay: the "Rued" clone, the famous "Old Wente" clone and the "See" clone. Cuttings of the Chardonnay clones were field selected from exceptional vineyards. Sir Peter named the vineyard Belle Cote, which means "beautiful slope", after the famous ski run in Courcheval, France.

Winegrowing Notes

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Clonal selections greatly influence the wine's bouquet and multi-dimensional character. Aromas of roasted hazelnuts, honey, and tropical fruits fill the nose. Refined notes of oak are expressed as roasted nuts. Rich fruit flavors expand on the palate; sweet apple blossoms, concentrated dried fruits, fresh red apple and citrus oils are evident from start to finish. New oak tones of vanilla enhanced by the toast level of the barrel nicely balance a mineral-toned acid finish. A medium to full-bodied Chardonnay with exquisite texture and a rich aftertaste. The 1998 will age very well for at least six or more years.

Vintage Notes

This is our third vintage from Belle Cote Vineyard, Peter Michael winery's first in a series of estate Chardonnay vineyards. In 1989 we discovered the potential of this high mountain site when our research revealed cool maritime breezes, rocky, well-drained soils of low fertility and an ideal exposure to the morning sun. The vineyard was planted in 1990 using a classical vertical trellis system and relatively close spacing of 1200 vines per acre. The clones selected for this vineyard were "Rued", the famous "Old Wente" and"See"-selected from exceptional Chardonnay vineyards. Sir Peter named Belle Cote, which means ''beautiful slope", after the famous ski run in Courcheval, France.

Winegrowing Notes

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Clonal selections greatly influence the wine's bouquet and multi-dimensional character. Aromas of dried apricot, smoked pears and apple fill the nose; sweet apple blossoms, concentrated dried fruits, fresh redapple and citrus oils expand on the palate and are evident from start to finish. Refined notes of oak reexpressed as roasted nuts and spice. New oak tones of vanilla enhanced by the toast level of the barrelbalance a mineral-toned acid finish. This is a medium to full-bodied Chardonnay with exquisite texture and a rich aftertaste. The 1997 will age very well for six years or more.