Peter Michael 2009 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille Sonoma

Peter Michael

The 2009 Ma Belle-Fille shows spectacular intensity, packed with aromas of ripe peach, tangerine blossom, dried apricot, golden apple and nectarine, accented with wet stone-like minerality, brioche and lily flower notes. Rich and concentrated in the mouth, 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. Harvested: August 31, 2009 to September 25, 2009 100% naturally fermented using native yeast 100% barrel fermented in 100% French oak from artisan coopers Barrel aged sur lies 12 months with weekly bâtonnage Bottled unfined and unfiltered February 1, 2011.

Wine Advocate

There are 2,300 cases of the 2009 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille. Like its siblings, it is made from the old Wente clone of Chardonnay that supposedly came from Louis Latour’s holdings in Corton-Charlemagne. From the estate’s highest elevation vineyard in Knight’s Valley, it exhibits abundant minerality intertwined with notes of spring flowers, quince, white currants, peaches and underripe apricots. This beautiful, medium to full-bodied Chardonnay should drink well for 5-7 years. Score: 92-95 - Robert Parker, February 2011.

Wine Spectator

Very subtle, yet rich and complex, offering touches of fig, melon, hazelnut and butterscotch. For all its size, this remains a very elegant, understated wine. Drink now through 2015. 2,300 cases made. –JL.

Type	White
Varietal	Chardonnay
Vintage	2009
Bottle size	750mL
Alcohol content	15.0%
Appellation	California – Sonoma County
Wine Advocate	92-95
Wine Enthusiast	--
Wine Spectator	91
Other	n/a

Peter Michael

At the highest elevation on the estate, the marine influence on Ma Belle-Fille is greater, resulting in cooler daily temperatures in the summer and autumn months. Situated far above the summer fog ceiling and exposed to the southeast, the vineyard receives the very first rays of sunshine each morning and remains sunny all day long. This full exposure combined with cooler temperatures causes the fruit to mature earlier than the rest of our estate.
In 1982, after six years of searching for land to serve as both vineyard and family retreat, Sir Peter Michael and Lady Michael purchased 630 acres of volcanic ridges on the western face of Mount St. Helena in Knights Valley. Following Sir Peter’s 100 by 100 vision – 100% family ownership for at least 100 years – and drawing inspiration from the great wineries of Burgundy and Bordeaux, the family hired like-minded viticulturists and winemakers to help them create terroir-driven wines that would stand the test of time. Today, with the support of son, Paul, and his wife Emily, the Peter Michael winery still adheres to its original founding principles of “mountain vineyards, classical winemaking, and limited production.”