Peter Michael "La Carrière" Chardonnay 2024

94-96 WA

97 VM

Notes:

True to its name, the Chardonnay La Carrière is full of stony, briny nuances. Citrus peel, jasmine, oyster shell and tangerine peel are all wonderfully vivid in the glass. Airy and translucent, the Carrière is all about crystalline transparency. I especially admire its energy, tension and poise. Other wines in this range offer more power and richness, but La Carrière is my personal favorite because of its intense minerality and energy Vinous/Galloni 97

I tasted the 2024 Chardonnay La Carrière from tank shortly before it was due to be bottled. It has alluring, layered aromas of nectarine, mango, panna cotta, lime peel and seamlessly integrated, spicy oak. The full-bodied palate has a satiny texture, a dynamic interplay of ripe, expressive fruit with focused, driving acidity and a very long finish. 2,944 cases are expected to be released in April 2026. Wine Advocate 94-96

Vintage Notes
The 2024 growing season for the Chardonnay vineyards in Knights Valley began with abundant rainfall from December through March, fully recharging the soil water profile and setting the stage for healthy vines and canopies. In combination with the rains, cooler-than-average temperatures delayed budbreak by two weeks compared with normal, but it still occurred two weeks earlier than in the very late 2023 season. During flowering in late March and April, the weather was ideal, resulting in excellent fruit set. The remainder of spring was moderate, with some heat in early July, followed by temperate weather in
August and September, allowing a steady, unhurried harvest. It began in Ma Belle-Fille vineyard on August 30th and was completed on October 4th in Belle Côte.

Winegrowing Notes
The name 'La Carrière‘ aptly describes this site’s bowl shape and its tremendously rocky soils. Situated between 1,200 and 1,700 feet above sea level on steep mountain slopes exceeding 40 percent in grade, the vineyard has ideal southern and southeastern exposures. The site’s shallow rocky soils provide excellent drainage, low fertility, and usually the lowest yields on the estate. 'La Carrière‘, with its concentrated “liquid minerality,” effectively reflects its mountainous origin.

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