Peter Michael 2022 Sauvignon Blanc L’Apres-Midi Chambers

“The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc L’Après-Midi, blended with 8% Sémillon and matured in about 15% new French oak, features ringing tones of peach, kiwi, tarragon and white lily with undertones of candle smoke, flint and petrichor. The palate opens with pure fruit before unfurling expansive, savory accents, and its fresh acidity balances its satiny, mouth-coating texture. Its juxtaposition of concentrated fruit and shimmery tension draws you back to the glass for another dynamic sip, and although it’s approachable now, it will develop complexity in bottle over the next decade. 2,163 cases were made.” Robert Parker 94 Points

“This is one of our two estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon blends. The grapes are grown alongside our red Bordeaux varietals at 1,000 – 1,200 feet, benefiting from the steep slopes, excellent drainage, and cool air at altitude. The wine is whole-cluster-pressed and then naturally fermented in a barrel, forgoing a second malolactic fermentation in order to preserve the fruity and zesty character of the Sauvignon Blanc. It is predominantly made from Sauvignon Blanc, with just a touch of Sémillon.

L’Après-Midi was named in honor of the pleasures of a slow and lazy afternoon, which according to Sir Peter is a good time to start drinking it.

VINTAGE NOTES
After December brought a respectable amount of rain, January and February were fairly dry, and budbreak occurred slightly earlier than normal. Cool and rainy weather in March, April, and the beginning of May resulted in less fruit setting and a lower-yielding year, very similar to 2021. While July was moderate, June and August both witnessed triple-digit heat spikes. The early September heat wave saw one day with temperatures over 110 degrees F (43 degrees C) in the last two Sauvignon Blanc blocks to be harvested. However, rain soon followed, and temperatures dropped significantly, allowing the Sémillon to gradually ripen to perfection in early October.
The Sauvignon Blanc harvest commenced on August 25 and finished on September 7, and the Sémillon harvest was from October 4 to 11.

WINEGROWING NOTES
The fruit for ‘L’Après-Midi’ is grown alongside our red varietals in the Les Pavots vineyard. The grapes were picked and sorted by hand, the whole cluster pressed and then naturally fermented in a barrel. No malolactic fermentation was conducted to preserve the fruity and zesty character of the Sauvignon Blanc. All lots were aged separately on their lees for nine months with gentle bâtonnage, then judiciously blended to compose the final cuvée.

WINEMAKER’S TASTING NOTES
The light gold 2022 ‘L’Après-Midi’ rises from the glass with an array of lemon and orange blossoms, jasmine, pear, and yellow peach with flourishes of baking spices and lemon curd. A bright, expressive entry with juicy, well-integrated acidity gives way to a plush mouthfeel with apricot, passion fruit, and vanilla cream highlights. The exuberant 2022 ‘L’Après-Midi’ finishes with notes of mango, lemon zest, and lime blossom.”