Peter Michael, Les Pavots, Bordeaux Red Blend, Knights Valley, 2015, Double Magnum

The first vineyard to be planted on the Knights Valley Estate, Les Pavot ('The Poppies') remains the signature wine of Peter Michael. Spanning 49 acres, Les Pavots ascends to an elevation of nearly 1,400 feet. Merlot and Cabernet Franc grow on the cool upper slopes,with Cabernet Sauvignon in the warmer sections just below. Always a Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux Blend, the distinctive aromas of this exceptional wine clearly display the hillside terroir. Hand-harvested, vinified with meticulous care and aged for 18months in French oak, this stunning wine can stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best estates of the old world.

The 2015 vintage started with an unseasonably warm early spring followed by cool, moist conditions in May. However, steady, warm temperatures dominated the remainder of the growing season providing ideal ripening conditions and a surge of hot temperatures at the end accelerated the pace of harvest, giving us the earliest finish date in the history of the winery. Meticulous sorting of the fruit resulted in wines with depth, concentration and balance. 2015 Les Pavots hss a deep bouquet of cacao powder, dried blossoms, dried red fruit, black cherry and currant, blueberry and licorice, with nuances of cigar box, raphite, vanilla and black truffle with a stylish ‘garrigue’ touch. Extremely full-bodied, the mouth feel is dense, round and seamless, with supple tannins, savory clove and tobacco elements and beautiful ‘patina’ notes leading to a long finish with subtle mineral accents. The wine provides a classic presentation of the estate’s terroir and will age gracefully for two decades.

95 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)