{"product_id":"peter-michael-winery-2024-belle-cote-chardonnay-knights-valley-750ml","title":"Peter Michael Winery 2024 \"Belle Côte\" Chardonnay Knights Valley 750ml","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\"Belle Côte\" is French for \"beautiful slope,\" and Sir Peter Michael himself chose the name in tribute to a famous ski run in Courchevel, France. It's a fitting name for the oldest of Peter Michael Winery's four Knights Valley Estate Chardonnay vineyards — planted in 1990 by the legendary Helen Turley, these vines now carry 34 years of accumulated character, sitting at 1,700 to 1,800 feet on volcanic-origin rhyolite soil, with a southeastern exposure and a natural border of trees along the western edge that shelters the vines from the hottest part of the afternoon sun. That combination of elevation and shelter creates a genuinely cool microclimate, extending the growing season and forcing slow, unhurried ripening — Belle Côte is consistently the last of Peter Michael's Chardonnay vineyards to finish, often picked into October, two to three weeks later than most Chardonnay grown elsewhere in Napa and Sonoma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eProduction follows Peter Michael's exacting house standard across the board: 100% natural fermentation using native yeast, 100% barrel fermentation in French oak from hand-selected artisan coopers, and twelve months of aging on the lees with weekly bâtonnage to build texture and depth. The winery's own account of the 2024 vintage describes \"a profusion of orange blossom, rose oil, orange zest and lemon drop candy with accents of yellow spring flowers and cinnamon,\" calling the wine \"a pure aromatic expression of its inimitable terroir and thirty-four-year-old vines,\" with \"a rich, viscous entry\" leading to \"a full-bodied, structured mid-palate and long, intense finish\" — \"the 2024 'Belle Côte' showcases both power and poise, a true stunner.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eVinous awarded 94 Points, describing \"a very pretty mid-weight offering\" with \"scents of apricot, peach, orange blossom, white flowers and a kiss of French oak,\" noting \"bright mineral undertones lend energy as they shape the mid-palate and finish,\" and calling Belle Côte \"the most delicate and ethereal of the Peter Michael Chardonnays.\" Wine Spectator matched that with 94 Points: \"elegant and succulent, showcasing ripe melon, nectarine and apricot flavors that are fleshy and juicy on a light, silky frame,\" with \"details of wildflower honey, lemon confit and spices including cardamom, nutmeg and white pepper\" adding real complexity, alongside \"notes of lemon verbena, lime leaf and sweetgrass,\" recommending a drinking window from now through 2039. This is genuinely serious California Chardonnay — mountain-grown, cool-climate, and built from the estate's oldest, most character-driven vines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003ePeter Michael Winery farms four Knights Valley Estate Chardonnay vineyards in Sonoma County, of which Belle Côte is the oldest, planted in 1990 by the legendary vineyard consultant Helen Turley. The vineyard sits at 1,700 to 1,800 feet on volcanic-origin rhyolite soil, with a southeastern exposure and a western border of native trees that shelters the vines from the hottest part of the afternoon sun. This combination of high elevation and natural shading creates an unusually cool microclimate, extending the growing season and slowing fruit ripening — Belle Côte consistently ripens last among Peter Michael's Chardonnay blocks, often picked into October, two to three weeks later than most Napa and Sonoma Chardonnay vineyards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe 2024 vintage is 100% Chardonnay, vinified using 100% naturally occurring native yeast fermentation and 100% barrel fermentation in French oak sourced from select artisan coopers. The wine is then aged sur lies for twelve months with weekly bâtonnage, a technique that stirs the lees regularly to build additional texture, richness, and complexity in the finished wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVinous — 94 Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The 2024 Chardonnay Belle Côte is a very pretty mid-weight offering from Peter Michael. It offers up scents of apricot, peach, orange blossom, white flowers and a kiss of French oak. Bright mineral undertones lend energy as they shape the mid-palate and finish. The Belle Côte is the most delicate and ethereal of the Peter Michael Chardonnays. Even so, I would give it a few years in bottle.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine Spectator — 94 Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Elegant and succulent, showcasing ripe melon, nectarine and apricot flavors that are fleshy and juicy on a light, silky frame. Details of wildflower honey, lemon confit and spices including cardamom, nutmeg and white pepper add complexity, as do notes of lemon verbena, lime leaf and sweetgrass. Drink now through 2039.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Michael Winery (official tasting notes):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"With a profusion of orange blossom, rose oil, orange zest and lemon drop candy with accents of yellow spring flowers and cinnamon, the 2024 'Belle Côte' is a pure aromatic expression of its inimitable terroir and thirty-four-year-old vines. The rich, viscous entry leads to a full-bodied, structured mid-palate and long, intense finish. The 2024 'Belle Côte' showcases both power and poise, a true stunner.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA profusion of orange blossom and rose oil leads, joined by orange zest and lemon drop candy, with accents of yellow spring flowers and cinnamon. Apricot, peach, and white flowers add further layers, alongside a kiss of French oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA rich, viscous entry leads into a full-bodied, structured mid-palate, showing ripe melon, nectarine, and apricot flavors that are fleshy and juicy on a light, silky frame. Wildflower honey, lemon confit, cardamom, nutmeg, and white pepper add genuine complexity, alongside lemon verbena, lime leaf, and sweetgrass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLong and intense, closing with real power and poise — bright mineral undertones carry through, giving the wine genuine energy and structure well beyond what its delicate, ethereal aromatics might initially suggest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"overflow-x-auto w-full px-2 mb-6\"\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"min-w-full border-collapse text-sm leading-[1.7] whitespace-normal\"\u003e\n\u003cthead class=\"text-left\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.6)] py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eCategory\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.6)] py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppellation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eKnights Valley — Sonoma County, California\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariety\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e100% Chardonnay\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e2024\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinery\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003ePeter Michael Winery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eBelle Côte — planted 1990 by Helen Turley\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVine Age\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e34 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElevation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e1,700-1,800 feet (518-549 meters)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExposure\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eSoutheastern\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoils\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eVolcanic-origin rhyolite\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eExtended into October — 2-3 weeks later than typical Napa\/Sonoma Chardonnay\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFermentation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e100% native yeast, 100% French oak barrel fermentation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAging\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e12 months sur lies, weekly bâtonnage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eName Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eFrench for \"Beautiful Slope\" — named by Sir Peter Michael after a Courchevel ski run\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eVinous 94 · Wine Spectator 94\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \/ Identity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eThe most delicate and ethereal of Peter Michael's Chardonnays — cool-climate, mountain-grown, genuinely age-worthy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas \u0026amp; Flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eOrange blossom, rose oil, orange zest, lemon drop candy, apricot, peach, nectarine, melon, wildflower honey, cardamom, nutmeg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrinking Window\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eNow through 2039\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e750ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eRoast chicken or Dungeness crab\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLobster or scallops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eCreamy risotto\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSoft-ripened cheeses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Chambers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44686152859714,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0363\/8621\/files\/Peter_Michael_Winery_2024_Belle_C_te_Chardonnay_Knights_Valley_750ml.jpg?v=1786142637","url":"https:\/\/www.blackwellswines.com\/products\/peter-michael-winery-2024-belle-cote-chardonnay-knights-valley-750ml","provider":"Blackwell's Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}