2013 Peter Michael Chardonnay La Carriere Knights Valley

(92-96) A smaller crop than normal because of a 20-30% loss of fruit from wind damage explains the production of the 2013 Chardonnay La Carrière. However, there are still nearly 2,000 cases of the 2013 (as opposed to 2,510 of the 2012), which exhibits lots of powdered mineral, honeysuckle, and orange marmalade characteristics, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, crisp acidity and impressive purity. Drink now-2023.

If one considers the total production of all the Peter Michael cuvées (which must be approaching 30,000 cases) and the diversity of their wines, including six cuvées of Chardonnay, four of Pinot Noir, three Bordeaux blends, and lastly Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, Peter Michael Winery may be the best-run winery of its size for world-class quality. There has been a succession of brilliant minds and craftspeople who have gone through these doors, from the early days with Helen Turley and Mark Aubert, to Luc Morlet and now his brother, Nicolas Morlet. Having followed these wines for nearly two decades, they seem to go from strength to strength, and the 2012s and 2013s may be the finest group of wines Peter Michael has ever produced. This is indeed high praise!  By the way, kudos to Sir Peter Michael for making the cover of The Wine Spectator, a long overdue recognition of his accomplishments.  eRobertParker.com #216 Dec 2014