2016 Peter Michael Chardonnay Mon Plasir***

The 2016 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir opens out to bold notions of tropical fruits, ripe nectarines and pink grapefruit with hints of crushed rocks, white blossoms and cedar plus wafts of fresh ginger and yuzu zest. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is very elegant with a quiet intensity of citrus and stone fruit and a very long finish. 1,000 cases produced.

All from the Old Wente clone, brought up in 50% new French oak, the 2016 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir offers slightly more tropical fruit as well as a more exotic, opulent, sexy style. Orange blossom, honeysuckle, white flowers, and tangerine notes all give way to a ripe, full-bodied, voluptuous Chardonnay that has both finesse and power. Located north of Napa Valley, in the Knights Valley AVA of Sonoma, Peter Michael utilizes the incredible talent of Frenchman Nicolas Morlet (whose brother Luc runs Morlet Estate in Napa, and was previously the winemaker at Peter Michael). These classic, traditionally made wines certainly have an old world feel/style, yet never lose their California soul. They produce two brilliant Bordeaux Blanc look-alikes, a bevy of Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, and three Bordeaux blends. It can be a complex lineup to wrap your head around, but the cuvees show singular characters and the quality is off the charts.

The 2016 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir is suave, supple and engaging, with fabulous interplay of texture, aromatics and depth. Apricot, orange peel, chamomile and lightly honeyed notes abound. Mon Plaisir is dense and oily, but that natural opulence is tempered by the freshness of the vintage. What a gorgeous wine this is.