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
Deep ruby color with a red-purple rim, 2017 Les Pavots reveals abundant aromas of ripe black fruit and jammy black currant. The bouquet expresses nuances of vanilla bean, ‘garrigue’ and leather. Full-bodied and elegant on the palate, the wine offers generous, ripe, dried, red and black fruit flavors. The mouth feel is dense and round, with supple tannins and subtle mineral notes, loaded with blackberry, raspberry liqueur, and black pepper notes leading to a long finish. Approachable now, the wine provides a classic presentation of our estate’s terroir and will continue to age gracefully for two decades.
Scored 97 points by Antonio Galloni for Vinous in April 2020.