2019 Peter Michael Chardonnay Belle Cote Knights Valley

100% naturally barrel fermented with native yeasts; Barrel aged sur lie for 12 months, bâtonnage; unfined, unfiltered

As the oldest of the four Peter Michael estate Chardonnay vineyards, Belle Côte exemplifies how consistently these moun-tain vineyard sites produce exceptionally high quality Chardonnay. Given the naturally cool climate of the vineyard’s high elevation, and the fact that the site is sheltered from the hot afternoon sun by its southeastern exposure and a stand of trees on its western border, the vines are exceptionally slow to ripen. For this site, the growing season extends into Octo-ber, two to three weeks longer than most Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties.