Peter Michael - Les Pavots - Sonoma County 2021

Peter Michael - Les Pavots - Sonoma County 2021

In 1982, Sir Peter Michael and Lady Michael purchased 630 acres of volcanic ridges on the western face of Mount St. Helena in Knights Valley. Following Sir Peter’s '100 by 100' vision, 100% family ownership for at least 100 years and drawing inspiration from the great wineries of Burgundy and Bordeaux, the family hired like-minded viticulturists and winemakers to help them create terroir-driven wines that would stand the test of time. Today, with the support of his son, Paul and his wife, the Peter Michael winery still adheres to its original founding principles of mountain vineyards, classical winemaking, and limited production.

Grown on the slopes of Mount Saint Helena in Knights Valley, the distinctive aromas and flavors of their blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot display their hillside origins. Rocky, rhyolitic soils created through volcanic activity millennia ago contribute a mineral richness and add to the wine’s complexity. Spanning 46 acres, the red Les Pavots blocks ascend to an elevation of nearly 1,400 feet. Merlot and Cabernet Franc grow on the cool upper slopes, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot below.

Discover the winery on video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMi9ODm_pkU

The 2021 Vintage: 

Tasting notes: 

The opaque, garnet-black 2021 Les Pavots bursts from the glass with a compelling blend of black currant, blueberry crumble, black olive, leather and blackberry pie with accents of dried rose petal, garrigue, clove and black pepper. The powerful entry gives way to an abundance of silky, high-quality, fine-grained tannins and a mid-palate burst which resolves in an elegant, gracefully soft finish. The 2021 Les Pavots is a wine of pedigree that will age well for over two decades.