Les Pavots is Peter Michael’s flagship blend of red Bordeaux varietals from our Knights Valley Estate. While the blend varies from vintage to vintage, typically it is two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon with roughly equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot. Les Pavots captures an elegant refined expression of the terroir embracing the full spectrum of Cabernet family varietal expression with its trademark touch of herbes de province. The name translates to “The Poppies” and is named after the California poppies that grow wild on our estates and are the inspiration for the winery’s logo.

Rating

Robert Parker 95 points (Dec 2007) The 2005 Les Pavots (3,600 cases of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot) is a sensational wine, with a style that suggests a hypothetical blend of a great St.-Emilion and Pomerol. Chocolatey cassis notes intermixed with incense, licorice, and a hint of black olive are present in this wine. When it hits the palate, it comes across as very Pomerol-like, with lushness, full body, and opulence. The tannins are sweet, the pH high, and the wine gorgeously full, pure, dense, and long. It’s a terrific example of non-interventionalist winemaking that has turned out a beautiful, silky-textured wine that should age effortlessly for 15+ years. Like so many 2005s, this wine has really put on weight since I tasted it last year.  Wine Spectator 97 points (Oct 15 2008) Shows gorgeous Cabernet purity, with a profound offering of ripe, fleshy currant, black cherry, blackberry, anise and mineral. Amazingly supple and harmonious, with tannins that are both gentle and tender and then just firm enough to let you know they’re there. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2017. 3,600 cases made. –JL The #27 in Wine Spectator’s 2008 Top 100