Description
"Belle Côte", French for “Beautiful Slope”, was named by Sir Peter after the famous ski run in Courchevel, France. The oldest of the four Knights Valley Estate Chardonnay vineyards, ‘Belle Côte’ consistently exemplifies the potential of crafting exceptionally high-quality Chardonnay from mountain vineyards. Planted at 1,700 to 1,800 feet (518 to 549 meters), Belle Côte has a southeastern exposure and a western border of native trees, which shelter the vines from the hot afternoon sun.
Intense orange blossom, lemon custard, and jasmine burst from the glass of the 2021 ‘Belle Côte’. This highly aromatic bouquet continues with rose petals and lychee underlain by orange marmalade base notes. The rich entry and dense mid-palate show the depth created by the estate's oldest Chardonnay vines. Hints of orange peel, pastry, and lemon curd lead to a long, polished finish.
Scored 97+ points by Erin Brooks for Robert Parker on October 19th 2023.