2000 Peter Michael Chardonnay Cuvée Indigene

Pure, mineral, exciting, nerveux Californian Chardonnay on the nose – quite exceptional for this category. On the palate, still unformed and muted – even heavy. I'd wait quite a while before drinking this promising, if overpriced, wine. (JR)

The gold-colored 2000 Chardonnay Cuvee Indigene (547 cases) displays high levels of acidity, and elegant, tart, medium-bodied flavors with hints of leesiness intermixed with white peach and citrus. While it falls off in the finish, there is more to it than the Belle Cote or La Carriere. Consume it over the next 5-6 years. Tel. (707) 942-4459; Fax (707) 942-0209

Highly perfumed nose combines grapefruit, flowers, mint, marzipan and hazelnut. The fattest, richest and densest of these 2000s to this point, with more spice showing from the 55% new oak component. Quite tightly wound on the back end and in need of at least a couple years of bottle aging.