Tasting Notes
Vinous 97
The 2019 Chardonnay Belle-Cote emerges from the oldest vines on the estate. White flowers, mint, pear, white pepper and citrus give the Belle-Cote a brilliant upper register that really distinguishes it in this lineup. Vivid and sculpted, the Belle-Cote is wonderfully expressive today. I can’t wait to taste it with a few years of bottle age. At times, the Belle-Cote has a Riesling-like aromatic presence that is incredibly distinctive.
Anticipated maturity: 2024-2034
Jeb Dunnuck 97
Another estate Knight Valley release, the 2019 Chardonnay Belle-Cote is one of the richer, more powerful Chardonnays in the lineup. Buttered lemon, flower oil, toasted almond, honeysuckle, and brioche are some of the nuances here, and it’s full-bodied, with a layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and a distinct sense of minerality on the finish. It’s another rich, concentrated, age-worthy Chardonnay from this team that will have a solid decade of overall longevity.
Anticipated maturity: 2021-2031