Description
Les Pavots, French for “The Poppies,” was named by Lady Michael after the wild California poppies that colour the landscape of the Knights Valley ranch. The vineyard is planted on the slopes of Mount Saint Helena, delivering distinct aromas and flavors that characterize the proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Rocky, rhyolitic soils created through volcanic activity millennia ago, contribute a mineral richness and add to the wine’s complexity.
Notes From The Estate
Black with a ruby red hue and crimson reflection on the rim, the 2011 Les Pavots reveals an intense bouquet of strawberry, black truffle oil, vanilla bean, blueberry and blackberry, with nuances of black currant liquor, cedar, cacao, cigar box, black tea, graphite, a stylish ‘garrigue’ touch, forest floor and cloves. Extremely full-bodied, this wine offers a potpourri feeling with the same rich, ripe fruit impressions on the palate with black truffle, tobacco, grey and white pepper notes. The mouth feel is dense and round, with a mineral background and ample elegant tannins, which leads to a long finish. The 2011 Les Pavots will benefit from another year of cellaring and will age gracefully for two decades.
Scored 92 points by Robert M. Parker Jr on December 30th 2013.