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1997 Chardonnay Belle-Côte

Wine Details
Place of Origin

United States

Knights Valley, Sonoma County

Sonoma

Color

White

Grape/Blend

Chardonnay

Vintages
20192018201720162015201420122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996
Reviews & Tasting Notes

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Following a hot start to August, the harvest took place early in 1997, but the wines have retained better acidity than those of 1996, says winemaker Mark Aubert. High-altitude vineyards may well have been favored in '97, Aubert noted. The '97 chardonnays were bottled directly off their lees in late August (except for the Point Rouge, which was bottled in December). Peter Michael lost its contract for fruit from Howell Mountain after the 1997 vintage, so there is no longer a Clos du Ciel chardonnay. I continue to be impressed by Peter Michael cabernet: in recent years, the fruit component of this massive wine has finally caught up to its huge tannic structure.x000D x000D Just before press time, Aubert announced that he had become the new winemaker for Colgin Cellars and will also make a red Bordeaux blend for Sloan Vineyards in Rutherford, in addition to beginning his own Aubert Wines. For the time being, Aubert will continue to consult for Peter Michael.