2009 Peter Michael Chardonnay Mon Plaisir

The 2009 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir bursts from the glass with layers of citrus, lemon, pastry, hazelnuts and spices. This is a subtle, refined Mon Plaisir that impresses for its fine balance and overall sense of harmony. Sweet floral notes add lift on the finish. The 2009 is the last Mon Plaisir to be made partially of purchased fruit, which was 40% in this vintage.

The 2009 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir bursts from the glass with layers of citrus, lemon, pastry, hazelnuts and spices. This is a subtle, refined Mon Plaisir that impresses for its fine balance and overall sense of harmony. Sweet floral notes add lift on the finish. The 2009 is the last Mon Plaisir to be made partially of purchased fruit, which was 40% in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021. I tasted a large number of wines at Peter Michael. Overall, the 2009 reds made the most positive impression on this visit. The 2009 Chardonnays are very strong. I am less enamored with the 2010 Chardonnays, as they clearly show the ill-effects of a challenging growing season, which at Peter Michael yielded very concentrated whites with slightly higher than normal alcohol levels and an element of heaviness that is out of character. Winemaker Nick Morlet describes 2010 as a difficult year. Bud break was a full month late. High winds and rain during the flowering resulted in high amounts of shatter and yields that are dramatically lower than normal. Morlet describes 2009 as a vintage where everything ripened quickly and at the same time. This lineup includes several wines that are being released for the first time, including a trio of Pinot Noirs from estate-owned coastal vineyards planted in 2006 and 2007. It will be fascinating to see how those wines develop as the vines acquire age. The newest wine in the ever-expanding Peter Michael stable is a new Cabernet Sauvignon from the former Showket vineyard that will make its debut with the 2011 vintage and that will be called Le Chevalier. I hope to taste it soon. I tasted the 2010 Chardonnays and Pinots from barrel. Those wines were scheduled to be bottled in February 2012. The 2009 Chardonnays and Pinots were bottled in late January/early February 2011. Tel. (800) 354-4459; www.petermichaelwinery.com

Green-tinged yellow. Pear, fig and tangerine on the pungent nose. Pliant flavors of orchard fruits, spices and honeysuckle are nicely framed and lifted by a citrus element. Finishes with honey and citrus notes and excellent clarity; this is showing more heft than the La Carriere right now.