Peter Michael 'Les Pavots' Estate Red, Knights Valley, USA 2023
Les Pavots is Peter Michael Winery’s flagship Bordeaux-style red blend, produced from hillside vineyards on the slopes of Mount Saint Helena. The name means “the poppies,” inspired by the California poppies that grow across the estate. Rocky volcanic rhyolite soils contribute distinctive mineral character, while the elevated vineyard sites help preserve freshness and complexity. The 2023 blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. The vintage had a cool, extended growing season, allowing the grapes to develop complexity and vibrant acidity. The wine was aged for 18 months in 100% French oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
"The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Les Pavots soars from the glass with a whole range of savory, floral top notes. Medium in body yet very deep, the 2023 is a superb example of both the year and Knights Valley. Vibrant red-toned fruit, blood orange, graphite, cinnamon, chalk, mint and dried herbs are some of the many notes that come alive in the glass. All of the energy of this cold, late-ripening year comes through loud and clear. Several recent bottles from the late 1990s and early 2000s point to the longevity of the best vintages, as I expect will be the case with the 2023." Vinous 97
