2017 Peter Michael Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille Knights Valley

Made from grapes grown at the very highest elevation of our property, Ma Belle-Fille is just enough above the cooler La Carrière to crest the summer fogs and is usually the first Chardonnay harvested during each vintage. Layers of baked apple and nectarine round out the lean citrus and vivid minerality it shares with La Carrière.

Ma Belle-Fille was named by Sir Peter as a warm tribute to Emily Michael, his daughter-in-law and mother of the third generation of the family. Paul describes the wine as beautiful, generous and complex, which we think is an apt description of our Emily as well.

(98 Points)  The 2017 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille comes bounding out of the glass with all the joy and energy of a new puppy, featuring pronounced notes of apricot tart, honey toast, ginger snaps and lemon curd over a core of warm pears, apple pie and allspice, plus a hint of beeswax. Full-bodied, the palate is beautifully creamy and opulent with loads of spicy accents supporting the stone fruit layers, finishing with great freshness and minerality. (LPB) Review Date: 02/2020, Wine Advocate