Peter Michael Chardonnay "Ma Belle-Fille" 2023
(Knights Valley, Sonoma, California) - [JS 99] [JD 98] [WA 95-97] [VM 94] [WS 94]

About the Winery:
Founded by Sir Peter Michael in 1983 with a singular vision: to make wine in the terroir-driven tradition of Burgundy and Bordeaux, yet under the California sun and in California soil.

Peter Michael Winery owns three estates: Knights Valley, Seaview (Sonoma Coast), and Oakville (Napa Valley). All rest on steep hillsides ranging in elevation from 500 to nearly 2000 feet and are the only sources for Peter Michael's wines.

About this Wine:
'Ma Belle-Fille' was named by Sir Peter as a warm tribute to Emily Michael, his "Daughter-in-Law", and mother of the third generation of the family. Planted at the highest elevation on the estate, the marine influence on Ma Belle-Fille vineyard is greater, resulting in cooler daily temperatures in the summer and autumn months. Situated above the summer fog ceiling and exposed to the southeast, the vineyard receives the very first rays of sunshine each morning and remains sunny all day long. This full exposure, combined with cooler temperatures, causes the fruit to mature earlier than the rest of our estate

Winemaker's Tasting Notes: 
Beautifully perfumed with layers of honeysuckle, jasmine and dried orange peel accented by apricot, vanilla cream and spring flower notes, the 2023 ‘Ma Belle-Fille’ delivers with a rich, creamy entry and generous, structured mid-palate showing great drive and intensity with a long, mouth-watering finish. A truly special wine from an extraordinary vintage.

Ratings & Reviews

99 Points - James Suckling:
"So delicious and drinkable from the first whiff to the lingering finish. An uber-chardonnay that packs in all the richness of fruit and smooth spiciness of oak fermentation, with vibrant acidity and a silky texture. Well balanced in a cool, ideal vintage and a great candidate for aging longer term. Drinkable now and best from 2030." (Jul 2025)

98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Coming from the highest vineyard site of the Chardonnays, planted between 1999 and 2000, the 2023 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille has a bright straw/yellow hue. The nose opens to lifted notes of white pepper, quince, poached green apples, and fresh flowers. The palate is full but nimble, with a more mid-weight feel. It’s finessed and is long on the palate, with an elegant, silky texture. Drink 2026-2040." - Audrey Frick (Jul 2025)

95-97 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2023 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille is reminiscent of summertime, its warm peach aromas complemented by wafts of vanilla, pie crust, whipped cream and spice. The full-bodied palate offers impressively concentrated, spicy flavors. Its luxurious, satiny texture is foiled by vibrant acidity, which lends the wine a shimmery feel, and it has a hauntingly long finish. A total of 2,082 cases were made, and the wine will be released in September of 2025." - Erin Brooks (Mar 2025)

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2023 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille offers a beguiling mix of aromatics, fruit and structure. Dried pear, crushed flowers, mint, white pepper, slate and dried herbs all race across the palate. Strong mineral and graphite notes emerge with coaxing to round things out. This needs time. (Drink between 2027-2035)." - Antonio Galloni (Jul 2025)

94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Elegant and polished, with a juicy core of Meyer lemon, white peach, freshly grated ginger, lemon verbena and neroli, plus a touch of orange sherbet. Spice, honeycomb and bergamot notes linger on the long, expressive and juicy finish. Drink now through 2039. 2,082 cases made." - MW (Nov 2025)