I tasted the 2021 Chardonnay Belle C?te as a finished tank sample the day before it was bottled. From vines planted in 1990, it was matured for 12 months in 40% new French oak. It offers lush aromas of baked apples and apricots, jasmine, biscuit, nutmeg and cream with spicy, floral nuances arising as it airs in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with streaks of flint and focused acidity to balance its generous fruit. Expressive and inviting, it's a pleasure to drink now, yet the way it transforms in the glass suggests it will also develop positively in the cellar over the next decade or more. 2,159 cases were made, and it will be released in February of 2023.

The 2020 Chardonnay Belle C?te, matured for 12 months in about 40% new French oak, explodes with singular aromas of ginger, lemongrass and Meyer lemon with streaks of flint and dried herbs. The medium-bodied palate is just as intense, offering highly concentrated fruit, seamless acidity, expansive, spicy flavors and a finish that goes on and on. Ultra concentrated and perfumed, the Belle C?te is especially expressive this vintage. 2,782 cases were made.

The 2019 Chardonnay Belle Cote is more floral than the other bottlings this year, with complex scents of citrus, pine resin, pear and melon. From older vines and several clones, it's medium to full-bodied, generous in feel yet crisp and citrusy on the long, mouthwatering finish.

An eastern-facing slope on white, dusty soil, this vineyard is the latest of the Peter Michael Chardonnay vineyards to ripen each year. The site is planted mainly to Old Wente and See clone selections with a little Rued clone. Planted in 1990, these are the oldest vines on the estate. The 2018 Chardonnay Belle Cote opens with earthy notions of crushed rocks and chalk dust over a core of fresh apricots, Golden Delicious apples and honeydew melon with a fragrant touch of jasmine. The medium to full-bodied palate is both intense and refreshing, not skimping on the silkiness of the texture and delivering a good, long, zesty finish. 3,151 cases were made.

The 2017 Chardonnay Belle Cote (composed of Rued clone and Old Wente) grows exponentially on the nose and, with swirling, achieves a crescendo of fresh pineapple, lemon meringue pie, key lime and pink grapefruit with wafts of lychees, rose oil, allspice and tangerine peel. Full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully nuanced with loads of subtle savory and citrus layers and a lively line of freshness cutting through the creamy texture, finishing on lingering praline and brioche-inspired notes. 2,194 cases were made.