This wine is the fourth vintage for Peter Michael Winery's Belle Côte Chardonnay -- Color: Light to medium gold. – Nose: Mineral; light tropical fruit notes. – Palate: Mineral; spice; lemon, light tropical fruit notes; a bit of oak; and a very slight note of sherry which light sherry note both dissipated upon warming in the glass, and did not detract from the food (i.e., Cod fillets topped with a Creole mixture of diced celery, chopped tomato, diced bell pepper, oregano and basil and baked). This wine is in its twilight years; nevertheless, it was enjoyable with the somewhat bold flavors of the dish. It is now a mellow wine. (13.8% abv)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very much still alive and well: bright acidity, rich fruit, well-integrated oak, elegantly long leave, and an overall brilliantly compiled package. Showed well on a stand alone AND on a comparative basis versus the Burgundy snobs and their over-priced elixirs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Outstanding. The best California chardonnay I've had to date. Beautiful balance of acidity, richness, oak, buttery texture and tropical fruits, pears and minerals.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.
3/4/2016 - RWallace wrote: 88 Points
This wine is the fourth vintage for Peter Michael Winery's Belle Côte Chardonnay -- Color: Light to medium gold. – Nose: Mineral; light tropical fruit notes. – Palate: Mineral; spice; lemon, light tropical fruit notes; a bit of oak; and a very slight note of sherry which light sherry note both dissipated upon warming in the glass, and did not detract from the food (i.e., Cod fillets topped with a Creole mixture of diced celery, chopped tomato, diced bell pepper, oregano and basil and baked). This wine is in its twilight years; nevertheless, it was enjoyable with the somewhat bold flavors of the dish. It is now a mellow wine. (13.8% abv)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/15/2012 - JimN wrote: 93 Points
From a Magnum. Still holding on, at least in the larger format. Mellow, like a very old Burgundy. If well-stored, no need to rush.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/13/2011 - artisan wrote: 93 Points
Same as last... w/o the burg snobs. ;-)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/22/2011 - artisan wrote: 93 Points
Very much still alive and well: bright acidity, rich fruit, well-integrated oak, elegantly long leave, and an overall brilliantly compiled package. Showed well on a stand alone AND on a comparative basis versus the Burgundy snobs and their over-priced elixirs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2010 - cybergod wrote: 95 Points
Outstanding. The best California chardonnay I've had to date. Beautiful balance of acidity, richness, oak, buttery texture and tropical fruits, pears and minerals.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment