Peter Michael Chardonnay Knights Valley La Carrière 2019

96-97 points Erin Brooks (Wine Advocate): "La Carriere is situated at an elevation of around 1,200-1,700 feet with a rocky, shallow, volcanic soil that gives low fertility and is among the lowest yields of all the Peter Michael vineyards. The vineyard is planted to Dijon and Hyde (Old Wente) clone selections. A tank sample due to be bottled in the next day or so, the 2019 Chardonnay la Carriere reveals delicate scents of fresh green apples, white peaches and preserved lemons with hints of chalk dust, orange blossoms and coriander seed. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers a satiny texture with bags of freshness lifting the mineral-tinged citrus flavors to a long finish. 2,836 cases were made. Drink: 2022-2037. (Feb 2021)"

96+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "Those looking for more minerality and precision, yet still with serious richness, should check out the 2019 Chardonnay La Carriere. As with all the Chardonnays here, it's from the Knights Valley estate and has wonderful stone and apple fruits as well honeyed minerality, almond paste, and grilled bread aromas and flavors. One of the more inward, tight, and structured Chardonnay in the vintage, give bottles another year or so and enjoy over the following 7-8. Drink: 2022-2030. (7/22/21)"

Producer notes: "Aromatics derived from the terroir-driven minerality of the vineyard block resonate on the nose, reminiscent of oyster shell combined with fragrant jasmine blossom, lemon-lime zest, and fresh brioche. Decadent and creamy on the palate, the wine expresses exquisite flavors of Williams pear and Golden Reinette apple, accentuated by delightful pain d’épices with toasted almonds. The superb concentration is elegantly balanced by crisp acidity, sculpting the structure of this wine much like a grand cru. The 2019 ‘La Carrière’ will mature gracefully for the next two decades. Alcohol 14.5%."