Peter Michael’s 2024 Chardonnay “La Carrière” is a single-vineyard, 100% Chardonnay from the Knights Valley AVA in Sonoma County, sourced from the winery’s steep, rocky “quarry” site at roughly 1,200–1,700 feet. The estate describes the vineyard as extremely low-fertility and stone-laden, a setup the winery says translates into a signature “liquid minerality.” Winemaking leans Burgundian in intent: native-yeast, barrel fermentation in French oak, about 12 months on lees with regular stirring, then bottled unfiltered (Feb. 6, 2026).

The critics largely agree this is an especially strong release. Vinous delivered the top professional score here—an excellent 97 points—with Antonio Galloni emphasizing how “true to its name” the wine is, “full of stony, briny nuances,” and praising its “energy, tension and poise,” calling it his “personal favorite because of its intense minerality and energy.” That comment, paired with the score, positions La Carrière as the most mineral-leaning, high-definition Chardonnay in Peter Michael’s range rather than the richest.

At 96 points, Jeb Dunnuck highlights a wine that is “tropical and perfumed” with “wisteria and jasmine,” plus “passionfruit and lemon-lime meringue,” adding that it’s “full-bodied but light on its feet” with “a pleasing salty lift on the close,” and that it should drink well “over the coming 10 years” (2026–2036).

Erin Brooks at Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (96 points; tasted from tank) notes “nectarine, mango, panna cotta, lime peel and seamlessly integrated, spicy oak,” with a “satiny texture” and “focused, driving acidity,” projecting 2,944 cases.

Wine Spectator’s 94 points underscores the same through-line—“crushed rock and sea salt minerality”—with “juicy and precise” fruit and a long window (now–2040), reporting 2,919 cases made.