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:
2021
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
Knights Valley
Variety:
Blend - Bordeaux
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Sustainable
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | US-PMW-21-21 | 12/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
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."
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."
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."