2001 Michael, Peter - Point Rouge Chardonnay - USA - California - Sonoma - White

($150) Tight but ultimately complex nose combines orange juice and orange peel, apricot, wet stone, lichee and a wild smoked bacon character. Wonderfully chewy and layered wine that conveys a strong impression of solidity. Dense, sweet and minerally, with almost painful intensity. With aeration, this showed a wonderfully lush, round middle palate and great richness. A silky, seamless chardonnay with great subtle persistence. There was no Point Rouge made in 2000.

There will be a relatively abundant quantity of 2001 Chardonnay Point Rouge (425 cases). A light green/gold color is followed by aromas of roasted hazelnuts intermixed with honeysuckle, orange skin, and sweet citrus. This expansive, powerful, packed wine boasts loads of flavor, zesty underlying acidity as well as definition, and fabulous purity and length. This profound Chardonnay can compete with the finest grand cru white Burgundies ... and then some! It should drink well for a decade or more.

A delicious mouthful of Chardonnay, bold, ripe, rich and creamy, with a silky texture and layers of ripe, opulent pear, fig, apricot and honeysuckle flavors. Finishes with a long, seamless aftertaste and a touch of heat.