Popped and poured. Beautiful lemon yellow color; stone fruit nose. Pacing, the first thing one notices is the remarkably rich and creamy mouthfeel. Lots of tropical fruit upfront, melting into a satisfying mid-palate of pear, and peach with just the slightest hint of residual sugar. Classic Cali Chardonnay profile of buttered toast, and with a very very restrained kiss of oak. Nice balance and a wonderful finish. Much better than the bottle I drank a couple of years ago, this wine is starting to come into its own.
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Delicious Chardonnay on its own and paired well with seafood. Lovely floral notes mixed with pear and lemon peel were the initial flavors that jumped out of the glass. Very balanced and the finish was beautiful. Medium mouthfeel and opened up a bit more in the glass throughout the evening.
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Small Tasting & Dinner with Friends: Double blind. Light straw yellow color with notes of lemon, mineral and toasty oak. Full-bodied, with flavors of coconut, pear and lemon oil. Domino called it as PM, though I didn't think it quite had the richness I usually think of in Peter Michael chards. Very nice- my favorite of the warm ups- just a touch on the young side...I'd give this a year or two.
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This is one of the best Chardonnay I've drunk in the last two year. Big but lean, and very focused and crisp. Good spice, and well integrated Oak. Highly recommend. Reminded me a bit of Kongsgaard stylistically (more than other Peter Michaels)
PDQ95+
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Great chardonnay. I haven't had the Belle Cote for maybe 15yrs. Don't know why I waited so long. Very big when I popped the cork, strong sweet fruit forward. As the evening progressed it quieted down and was absolutely beautiful. I have a couple more, hopefully I can hang onto at least 1 for 7-10yrs.
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Popped and poured. Very pale straw color; pear blossom nose. Incredibly rich mouthfeel. Tropical fruits abound, along with hints of tart green apple and white pepper. A touch of buttery goodness, but it remains understated and in balance. Could use a bit more bottle age.
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Opened 45 minutes before tasting (but not decanted). Citrus peel, candied lemon, some minerality on the nose. Lots of mid-palate richness. Long finish. A bit of heat. Medium acidity.
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5/2/2024 - BernieMSY Likes this wine: 95 Points
Popped and poured.
Beautiful lemon yellow color; stone fruit nose.
Pacing, the first thing one notices is the remarkably rich and creamy mouthfeel. Lots of tropical fruit upfront, melting into a satisfying mid-palate of pear, and peach with just the slightest hint of residual sugar. Classic Cali Chardonnay profile of buttered toast, and with a very very restrained kiss of oak. Nice balance and a wonderful finish. Much better than the bottle I drank a couple of years ago, this wine is starting to come into its own.
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4/13/2024 - Mds319 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Delicious Chardonnay on its own and paired well with seafood. Lovely floral notes mixed with pear and lemon peel were the initial flavors that jumped out of the glass. Very balanced and the finish was beautiful. Medium mouthfeel and opened up a bit more in the glass throughout the evening.
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4/13/2024 - oncocyte Likes this wine: 92 Points
A pale second to the 2016 Ma Belle Fille, if I may cross-compare wines and years? Probably a not really valid process.
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3/9/2024 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Small Tasting & Dinner with Friends: Double blind. Light straw yellow color with notes of lemon, mineral and toasty oak. Full-bodied, with flavors of coconut, pear and lemon oil. Domino called it as PM, though I didn't think it quite had the richness I usually think of in Peter Michael chards. Very nice- my favorite of the warm ups- just a touch on the young side...I'd give this a year or two.
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1/25/2024 - spendergast Likes this wine: 96 Points
An excellent chard with notes of apple, pear - well balanced with good acidity and minerals linger in the background. Paired with grilled walleye.
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9/16/2023 - dbg wrote:
Excellent
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9/13/2023 - dbg wrote:
Excellent
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5/26/2023 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 94 Points
I thought this was great. Nice energy from the close, exhibiting a keen balance of lemon and flower petals. A real treat.
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1/28/2023 - pdemaio wrote: 95 Points
This is one of the best Chardonnay I've drunk in the last two year. Big but lean, and very focused and crisp. Good spice, and well integrated Oak. Highly recommend. Reminded me a bit of Kongsgaard stylistically (more than other Peter Michaels)
PDQ95+
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2/12/2022 - KLutt Likes this wine: 95 Points
Great chardonnay. I haven't had the Belle Cote for maybe 15yrs. Don't know why I waited so long. Very big when I popped the cork, strong sweet fruit forward. As the evening progressed it quieted down and was absolutely beautiful. I have a couple more, hopefully I can hang onto at least 1 for 7-10yrs.
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12/29/2021 - BernieMSY Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured.
Very pale straw color; pear blossom nose.
Incredibly rich mouthfeel. Tropical fruits abound, along with hints of tart green apple and white pepper. A touch of buttery goodness, but it remains understated and in balance. Could use a bit more bottle age.
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10/27/2021 - dbg wrote:
Excellent
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9/13/2021 - jkvedar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened 45 minutes before tasting (but not decanted). Citrus peel, candied lemon, some minerality on the nose. Lots of mid-palate richness. Long finish. A bit of heat. Medium acidity.
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9/2/2021 - Harry Cantrell Likes this wine: 96 Points
Yellow color. Nose a mix of pear, nutmeg, floral notes. Tast was the same and absolutely delish.
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