2018 Les Pavots

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Les Pavots presents a beguiling mix of Knights Valley savoriness and the more restrained style that is such a signature of the Peter Michael wines today. A dark, mysterious wine, the Pavots offers up an enticing mélange of dark cherry, gravel, spice, menthol, licorice, lavender, cured meats and scorched earth. There is plenty of virile intensity, but without the heaviness of some past years. The Pavots is in my view the Peter Michael wine that has undergone the most dramatic transformation in recent years, and that's a positive.

- Antonio Galloni (2021)

Located in Knights Valley, Sonoma, the Les Pavots vineyard is located in the oldest of the estate-owned sites, planted in 1989. It is situated at 1,000-1,400 feet and is quite steep in areas. Composed of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Les Pavots is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a fair bit of coaxing to unlock the intense scents of blackcurrant preserves, ripe black plums and boysenberries with touches of wild sage, tobacco leaf and pencil shavings. The full-bodied palate is densely packed and tightly wound with loads of black fruits, dried herbs and earthy layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and energetic. 3,255 cases were made.

- Lisa Perrotti-Brown (2021)