Description
The first vineyard planted on the Knights Valley Estate, Les Pavots (“The Poppies”) remains the signature wine of Peter Michael. Spanning 49 acres, Les Pavots rises to nearly 1,400 feet in elevation. Merlot and Cabernet Franc are planted on the cooler upper slopes, with Cabernet Sauvignon thriving in the warmer sections just below. Always a Cabernet Sauvignon–led Bordeaux blend, the distinctive aromas of this exceptional wine clearly express its hillside terroir. Hand-harvested, vinified with meticulous care, and aged for 18 months in French oak, this stunning wine stands shoulder to shoulder with the finest estates of the Old World.
A dry winter followed by unseasonably warm temperatures in early spring accelerated bud break by nearly four weeks, making careful vineyard management essential to vine health. Ideal conditions at harvest, however, allowed each block to be picked calmly as it reached optimal ripeness. Yields were higher than average, but dehydration resulted in thicker skins and pulp, producing low juice yields and exceptionally concentrated fruit.
The 2014 Les Pavots displays a deep, complex bouquet of cacao powder, potpourri, black cherry, blueberry, and liquorice, layered with nuances of cedar, cigar box, black tea, graphite, vanilla, black truffle, and a refined garrigue note. Extremely full-bodied yet elegant, the palate is dense and rounded, with supple tannins and earthy undertones leading to a long, persistent finish. Complex and age-worthy, this wine offers a classic expression of the estate’s mountain terroir and will age gracefully for two decades.
