One of California’s most delicious wines for drinking during its first 2-3 years of life is Peter Michael’s Sauvignon Blanc l’Apres Midi. The crisp 2004 (88% Sauvignon Blanc and 12% Semillon) offers up scents of figs, melons, oranges, oak, mangoes, and wax. Enjoy it over the next several years. Previously recommended: 2003 Chardonnay Belle Cote (94), 2003 Chardonnay La Carriere (97), 2003 Chardonnay Cuvee Indigene (95), 2003 Chardonnay Ma Belle-Fille (93), 2003 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir (94), 2003 Chardonnay Point Rouge (97), 2003 L’Esprit des Pavots (90), 2003 Les Pavots (94), 2003 Pinot Noir Le Moulin Rouge (93).Tel. (707) 942-3200; Fax (707) 942-0209

One of California’s most delicious wines for drinking during its first 2-3 years of life is Peter Michael’s Sauvignon Blanc l’Apres Midi. The crisp 2004 (88% Sauvignon Blanc and 12% Semillon) offers up scents of figs, melons, oranges, oak, mangoes, and wax. Enjoy it over the next several years. Previously recommended: 2003 Chardonnay Belle Cote (94), 2003 Chardonnay La Carriere (97), 2003 Chardonnay Cuvee Indigene (95), 2003 Chardonnay Ma Belle-Fille (93), 2003 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir (94), 2003 Chardonnay Point Rouge (97), 2003 L’Esprit des Pavots (90), 2003 Les Pavots (94), 2003 Pinot Noir Le Moulin Rouge (93). Tel. (707) 942-3200; Fax (707) 942-0209

As rich as a Chardonnay, yet with Sauvignon’s distinctive savory profile, this is great wine. From low-yielding mountain vineyards, the juice was barrel fermented and aged sur lies, but no malolactic fermentation was permitted. Few Sauvignons in California achieve this level of complexity. The lush, roasted nuts, with a firm, hard minerality throughout. ——S.H.(8/1/2006)—— 94