Peter Michael, Ma Belle-Fille, Knights Valley

Peter Michael Winery grows most of its wines on a Knights Valley ranch on the volcanic slopes of Mount St. Helena, with about 149 acres of vines on rocky rhyolite. Les Pavots, the estate Cabernet blend (65% Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot in 2023), comes from south-facing blocks at 900–1,400 feet, ages about 18 months in French oak and is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Chardonnays come from higher single blocks: Belle Côte, Ma Belle-Fille, Mon Plaisir and the steep La Carrière, plus Point Rouge and Cuvée Indigène. L'Après-Midi is Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon, Au Paradis an Oakville Cabernet and Ma Danseuse a Seaview Pinot Noir.

Region

Knights Valley (Sonoma); Seaview; Oakville

Owner

Founded by Sir Peter and Lady Michael (1982)

Vineyards

Knights Valley Ranch: about 750 acres, 149 planted, rhyolite soils, 900–1,900 ft

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Pinot Noir

Wines

Les Pavots, Au Paradis, Belle Côte, Ma Belle-Fille, Mon Plaisir, La Carrière, Point Rouge, L'Après-Midi, Ma Danseuse

Style

Les Pavots: about 18 months French oak, unfined and unfiltered

Website

https://petermichaelwinery.com/

Sources: petermichaelwinery.com, millesima-usa.com