Peter Michael Winery
Red Bordeaux Blend 'L'Esprit des Pavots'
Red Bordeaux Blend 'L'Esprit des Pavots'
- Practicing Organic
- 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Cabernet Franc, 29% Merlot
- 72% Les Pavots Vineyard (Knights Valley AVA) & 28% Au Paradis Vineyard (Oakville AVA)
- Planted in 1990
- Volcanic-origin rhyolite soils
- South-southeast exposures
- 1,700 to 1,750 ft. elevation
- ‘L’Esprit des Pavots’ is French for “The Spirit of the Poppies”
- Hand-harvested
- Aged 18 months in 100% French oak barrels from select artisan coopers
- Bottled unfiltered
- 14.6% abv
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2020
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
Knights Valley
Variety:
Blend - Bordeaux
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Sustainable
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | US-PMW-21-20 | 12/750ml |
Press & Reviews
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
2023-02-16
"The 2020 L'Esprit des Pavots is a blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Cabernet Franc and 29% Merlot, with 72% Knights Valley fruit and 28% Oakville fruit. Opaque ruby in color, it has pure, layered scents of red plum and cherry, mint chocolate, rose petals, soy sauce and cedar. The full-bodied palate features restrained, mineral-driven fruit and loads of floral character. It has abundant, finely grained tannins, energetic acidity and a long, perfumed finish. Drinkable straight from the bottle, enjoy it over the next 5-7 years. 1,161 cases were made. This will be released in July of 2023. -Erin Brooks"
James Suckling
Score
93
Date
2022-10-05
"A fleshy and rich red with crushed berries, green pine needles, bark, orange peel and bark. Hints of walnuts, too. Full-bodied with round and polished tannins that are integrated and solid. Second wine. Drinkable now, but I would give it another two to three years of bottle age."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2021
James Suckling
Score
95
Date
2024-02-22
"Very bright and pretty with dark fruit and spices as well as orange peel. Medium-bodied and integrated, with tannins that spread across the palate and deliver structure with drinkability. It's a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot from their vineyards in Knights Valley and Oakville. Drink or hold."
2021
Wine Advocate
Score
95
Date
2024-02-29
"The 2021 L'Esprit des Pavots comes from two of Peter Michael's three estate vineyards and favors Oakville fruit (58%) over Knights Valley fruit (42%) this vintage. A blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, it's a touch more open than its single-site counterparts, the Au Paradis and Les Pavots, although its aromas are just as pure. It has generous, layered scents of red and black currants and kirsch with accents of cocoa powder, cigars, aniseed, damp earth and desert sage. It strikes an effortless balance of concentrated flavors, sparks of fresh acidity and pixelated tannins, and it has a long, nuanced finish. Despite its upfront appeal, it will age gracefully over the next 10†15 years. 1,121 cases were made, and the L'Esprit des Pavots will be released in July of 2024."
2021
Vinous
Score
94
Date
2024-07-15
"The 2021 L'Esprit des Pavots is exquisite. Understated and classy, the 2021 offers unreal finesse, especially for a second wine. Mid-weight structure, silky tannins and lifted aromatics make the 2021 an absolute charmer. All the elements are so well balanced. This is a rare L'Esprit that slightly favors Oakville over Knights Valley in the blend. It's a gorgeous second wine, if that term is even applicable here."
2018
James Suckling
Score
95
Date
2021-01-05
2018
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2022-01-07
2018
Wine Advocate
Score
92
Date
2021-02-04