Description
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.
Winter and spring were very wet, with some hail and snow. A late spring cold snap resulted in slight frost damage, but from May through to harvest the weather was nearly ideal for fruit development. Excellent sunny conditions and two periods of strong wind significantly accelerated ripening, especially of Merlot. Then warm and mild conditions set in, allowing each micro-parcel to be calmly picked at the peak of ripeness. 2006 Les Pavots reveals a profound bouquet of black cherry, licorice, black currant, blueberry pie, and blackberry, combined with chocolate, vanilla, coffee, black tea, subtle spice notes of cloves and cinnamon and its distinctive touch of “garrigue.” Very full-bodied, concentrated yet graceful, the wine is round with silky tannins and hints of mocha leading to a very long finish. Thoough already beautifully mature, the 2006 Les Pavots will continue to gracefully well through 2026.