2022 Coeur a Coeur
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Tasting notes
Composed of equal parts Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, the bright yellow/silver 2022 Coeur A Coeur was barrel fermented and reveals nuanced aromas of preserved grapefruit, dewy earth, melon, quince, and a kiss of vanilla bean spice. Medium-bodied, it’s elegant and will only improve as its texture fleshes out with time and continues to gain intensity. This stunning offering is one of the best Bordeaux Blanc-inspired wines you can find in the region today, and it has real aging potential. Superb. Drink 2026-2040. Sir Peter Michael founded his eponymous winery in 1982, inspired by the wine of Chateau Montelena, which led him to California. In 2020, Robert Fiore took the helm as winemaker, while former winemaker Luc Morlet remains as a consultant. Robert studied at the Colorado School of Mines, which led him to a career in environmental geophysics before finding his path into the world of wine. He went on to UC Davis to study Viticulture and Enology. Most recently, Robert was a member of the winemaking team at Continuum in Napa. Vineyard manager Javier Avina has championed the land since 1991. Each of the sites are steep hillsides in Knights Valley that modulate with varied exposition and soils. Sir Peter’s son Paul and his wife Emily oversee the management of the winery today.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Coeur a Coeur is a stunning blend of 50% Sémillon and 50% Sauvignon Blanc that offers incredible concentration and complexity. The nose has kaleidoscopic scents of papaya, pineapple, candle smoke and floral perfume, plus honeyed, toasty undertones waiting to emerge. The full-bodied palate is layered and satiny with flavors that flash from tropical fruit to spice. Its power is balanced by vibrant acidity, and it has a hauntingly long finish. Treat it like a Bordeaux Blanc, and enjoy it over the next decade. 141 cases were made.
The 2022 Coeur à Coeur is exceptional. Bright and resonant in the glass, with terrific persistence, the 2022 has so much to offer. I would cellar it for at least a few years, as it is a wine that really blossoms with time in bottle. Apricot pit, dried herbs, chamomile and subtle earthy undertones linger.
About the producer
Founded in 1983 by Sir Peter Michael CBE and his wife Margaret, Peter Michael Winery produces some of California’s finest wines.