Peter Michael Chardonnay Knights Valley Ma Belle-Fille 2010

94 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Hazy yellow. Wild, intensely perfumed bouquet evokes citrus pith, poached pear, ginger and iodine, with a smoky overtone and emphatic spiciness. The iodinery minerality of this wine reminds me of uni! Deeply pitched citrus fruit and floral flavors are braced by tangy acidity and complemented by toasted nut and honey nuances. Clings with outstanding tenacity, leaving notes of smoky minerals and lemon zest behind. (May 2012)"

94 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Powerful scents of minerals, vanilla, lemon, lime and smoke get you interested to know more about the wine. Plush, silky and concentrated. The flavors build in intensity."

93 points Robert Parker: "The 2010 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille (1,800 cases produced) was made from the Montrachet, Hyde, Hudson, and Calera clones. Tightly knit with a tannic structure, the 2010 offers up notes of tangerine oil, honeyed grapefruit and pineapple as well as a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel. (Dec 2013)"

92 points Wine Spectator: "Rich and full-bodied, with intense peach, fig, nectarine and honeysuckle flavors that have a raw, pithy texture now. The fruit gains the upper hand, even if the finish rambles rather than soothes. (7/31/12)"

Producer notes: "The 2010 Ma Belle-Fille is exceptionally intense, boasting aromas of nectarine, ripe peach, tangerine blossom, dried apricot, and, golden apple accented with wet stone-like minerality, brioche and peony flower notes. Generous on the palate, rich and concentrated, the wine displays deep flavors of William pear, honey, dried almond, meringue, dry chamomile, orange rind and notes of baked Reinette apple. In the mouth, the wine is tactile, gourmand and extremely pure. Layered and seductive, the finish is very long. 100% naturally fermented using native yeast. 100% barrel fermented in French oak. Barrel aged sur lies 11 months with weekly bâtonnage. Alcohol: 15.1%."