I tasted the 2021 Chardonnay La Carrière as a finished tank sample the day before it was bottled. It comes from vines planted in 1994 on volcanic soils and was matured for 12 months in about 40% new French oak. It opens soft and creamy on the nose, gaining in intensity as it blossoms to scents of matchstick, saline, Meyer lemons and wafts of lemongrass. The medium-bodied palate has a satiny texture and focused acidity to support its expansive, perfumed fruit, and its classy new oak character is already well integrated. I love this juxtaposition of concentrated flavor and shimmery, energetic acidity. 2,128 cases were made. This will be released in February 2023.

Matured for 12 months in about 40% new French oak, the 2020 Chardonnay La Carrière is more aromatically reserved than its 2021 counterpart, taking time to give up scents of baked peaches, pie crust, jasmine and allspice. The medium-bodied palate is open and inviting, with refreshing acidity to balance its concentrated, spicy fruit and a touch of phenolic texture anchoring the long finish. It continues to blossom dramatically with air, so give this a couple of hours in the decanter to show its best. 2,150 cases were made.

The 2019 Chardonnay la Carriere comes from a particularly rocky sector of the vineyard. Crushed stone and pencil shavings accent honeyed pear and melon on the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied, plump, round and generous, with an enlivening burst of citrus and a pinch of white pepper on the finish.

La Carriere is situated at an elevation of around 1,200-1,700 feet with a rocky, shallow, volcanic soil that gives low fertility and is among the lowest yields of all the Peter Michael vineyards. The vineyard is planted to Dijon and Hyde (Old Wente) clone selections. This 2018 Chardonnay la Carriere starts off very citrusy, leaping from the glass with notes of fresh limes and grapefruit, before coming through with alluring honey-drizzled peaches, fresh ginger and preserved kumquat notes. The medium to full-bodied palate is super-intense with beautiful tension lighting up a shimmering palate of citrus and mineral layers, finishing long and steely. 2,642 cases were made.

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.