Chardonnay Ma Belle-Fille 2013

PETER MICHAEL

Chardonnay Ma Belle-Fille
2013

Country
United States
Regulated designation
American Viticultural Areas (AVA)
Region
California
Subregion
Sonoma
Varietal(s)
Chardonnay 100 %
Colour
White
Sugar
Dry
Aging vessel type
100% barrel fermented in French oak from artisan coopers
Length of aging
Barrel aged sur lies 11 months with weekly bâtonnage
Producer's website

About this winery

n 1982 Sir Peter Michael established the Peter Michael winery on a square mile of rocky volcanic ridges that form the western face of Mount St. Helena in Sonoma County. From the beginning, the wine growing philosophy was modeled on the French tradition infused with a few modern influences: One, the vineyard terroir would be the single most important feature. Two, the wines would be elegant rather than overstated. Three, there would be a hundred-year commitment to the development of a great...

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Product notes

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.

Production notes

The 2013 growing season began with a dry spring and mild temperatures, as did the previous vintage. In early May, two days of violent winds damaged our Chardonnay vineyards. This resulted in uneven bloom and set, despite the otherwise ideal weather conditions. The vineyard crew carefully repruned the vines and executed multiple passes of green harvest. The already small crop was further reduced to one cluster per shoot, bringing the vines back into balance and ensuring the quality of the harvest. From veraison through picking, the vines enjoyed ideal ripening conditions. A long Indian summer allowed the fruit to reach perfect maturity and contributed to the exceptional quality of this small vintage.

Tasting notes

The 2013 Ma Belle-Fille is spectacularly intense, boasting aromas of ripe peach,white rose, tangerine blossom, golden apple, nectarine and pastry elements such as Napoleon cake, accented with oyster shell minerality. Generous in the mouth, rich and concentrated, the wine displays 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 and gourmand with extreme purity. Layered and seductive, the finish is very long. Ma Belle-Fille 2013 will age gracefully for two decades.

Press reviews

Robert Parker

- 97 points -

Erin Brooks,

Matured for 12 months in about 40% new French oak, the 2020 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille gains aromatic intensity as it spends time in the glass, segueing from matchstick, nutmeg and panna cotta to wafts of honey, apricot, lilac and lemon peel. Medium-bodied and ultra silky, it expands in the mouth from bright citrus to more savory, honeyed fruits. It offers generous, juicy acidity and a very long, ethereal finish. Still flaunting a touch of new-oak character, it will benefit from a couple years in bottle or some time in the decanter. 1,636 cases were made

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James Suckling

- 94 points -

Very floral and foresty on the nose, with bark, green pine needle, lemon curd and dried apple. Perfumed. Medium-bodied, dense center-palate. Flinty and spicy. Some blanched almond. Drink or hold.

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