2021 Peter Michael 'Cuvee Indigene' Chardonnay, Sonoma County, USA

Tasting Notes

The 2021 ‘Cuvée Indigène’ soars from the glass with a medley of lemon blossom, jasmine, white rose, pear, candied lemon and orange peel. The intense entry leads to a mouth-watering, expressive mid-palate with great focus and structure. This lively, dense, superbly balanced Cuvée Indigène showcases ample gras, remarkable texture and tremendous length. Expansive yet precise, the 2021 ‘Cuvée Indigène’ will benefit from 15 years of cellaring.

Vintage Notes

Cuvée Indigène is blended from multiple estates vineyard blocks, all planted to the Old Wente Clone. The Wente family brought over the clone by hand in 1912 from delicate clippings obtained at the University of Montpellier in southeastern France. The clone gained recognition as the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay won the famed 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting. Characteristics of the clone include small berries in the bunches of fruit with thick skins, golden hay color, good mineral content, low sugar, and big, bright acidity with luscious citrus fruit flavors and sweet baking-spice notes.

Press
Rated 98 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Chardonnay Cuvée Indigène is a barrel selection of some of the best blocks from across the Peter Michael property and was matured in barrel for 15 months, a touch longer than the single-vineyard wines. It has pure, alluring scents of white peach, fresh quince, meringue, flint and citrusy top notes, and each return to the glass reveals deeper aromatic nuances. The palate is incredibly seamless, its silky texture and bright acidity striking an effortless balance. It has a concentrated core of highly perfumed fruit—deep yet weightless—and finishes with stunning definition and layering. Young yet obviously world-class, this Chardonnay has tremendous aging potential and may reach a "perfect" apex in time. 550 cases were made.