2021 Peter Michael 'Les Pavots' Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley
Les Pavots, French for “The Poppies,” was named by Lady Michael after the wild California poppies that color the landscape of the Knights Valley ranch. The vineyard is planted on the slopes of Mount Saint Helena, delivering distinct aromas and flavors that characterize our proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Since the debut 1989 vintage, this refined Cabernet blend offers a signature profile of blueberry notes, a hint of herbs de Provence, and a wonderful expression of the full spectrum of red Bordeaux varieties.
James Suckling
The blackberry and sage character comes through clearly, with some orange blossoms, graphite, dried tomatoes, green tobacco and stone. A rich and juicy red with lots of berry and chocolate character, with a full body and layered rich tannins. It’s flavorful yet hemmed in with firm yet rounded tannins. Muscular. 62% cabernet sauvignon, 25% cabernet franc, 7% merlot, and 6% petit verdot. This needs four or five years to come together and show its true self.
Wine Advocate
The 2021 Les Pavots is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. It's a beautiful wine you could drink now or stash in the cellar, with a concentrated, broody yet polished profile. It has pure scents of blueberry liqueur, lilac, cast iron, grilled meats and soy sauce plus hints of wild thyme and truffle. The full-bodied palate offers a structural balance of clay-textured tannins and bright acidity, deriving its power from its sheer depth of dark fruit, and it has a long, detailed finish. 2,769 cases were made, and the Les Pavots will be released in February of 2024.