2017 Chardonnay La Carriere
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Chardonnay la Carriere has a little more Old Wente clone selection in it from this year. It features a bombastic, staggeringly expressive nose of baked peaches, honey-drizzled pears, crème brulee and lemon tart with wafts of poached pears, gingerbread and toasted almonds. Full-bodied, rich and seductive in the mouth, the palate is completely coated in honey-laced stone fruit and spiced pears layers, featuring and racy backbone and hedonic texture, finishing very long and spicy. 2,587 cases were made.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Intense aromas of sliced cooked apples, limes and hints of coconut. Full-bodied, creamy and very dense, yet extremely fresh and vivid. Crunchy acidity. Lovely texture. Exciting. Drink or hold.
The 2017 Chardonnay La Carriere is a rich, powerful style of Chardonnay, yet it stays vibrant and fresh, with terrific balance. Notes of orange blossom, pineapple, caramelized citrus, and white flowers, as well as a touch of minerality all, emerge from this full-bodied, multi-dimensional, layered beauty that's going to evolve for at least a decade.
Peter Michael's 2017 Chardonnay La Carrière is laced with a super-intriguing mix of orchard fruit, lemon peel, slate, mint and crushed rocks. Bright and intensely saline, La Carrière is super-expressive in 2017, not to mention incredibly delicious. La Carrière is perhaps disadvantaged a bit by being served in a flight of Chardonnays, but it is compelling just the same. Although none of the Peter Michael wines is inexpensive, La Carrière is arguably the best relative value in the range.
About the producer

Founded in 1983 by Sir Peter Michael CBE and his wife Margaret, Peter Michael Winery produces some of California’s finest wines.