Description
From his very first visit to California in the 1970s, Sir Peter Michael set out to find the perfect place to leave his mark on the world of wine. When he discovered the then-unplanted Sugarloaf Ranch in Knights Valley, he immediately knew he had found it. The first vintage followed in 1987, and the rest, as they say, is history.
By combining classical Old World winemaking with the complexity of California’s mountain terroir, the estate has attracted some of the most respected names in modern winemaking. Helen Turley, Mark Aubert, and brothers Luc and Nicolas Morlet have all worked at Peter Michael in the past and continue to consult today. Winemaking is now led by Robert Fiore, and the estate continues to go from strength to strength, producing some of the finest red and white wines in California.
The first vineyard planted on the Knights Valley Estate, Les Pavots (“The Poppies”) remains the signature wine of Peter Michael. Covering 46 acres, Les Pavots rises to nearly 1,400 feet in elevation. Merlot and Cabernet Franc thrive on the cooler upper slopes, while Cabernet Sauvignon is planted in the warmer sections below. Always a Cabernet Sauvignon–led Bordeaux blend, the wine’s distinctive aromas clearly express its hillside terroir. Hand-harvested, vinified with meticulous care, and aged for 18 months in French oak, this exceptional wine stands shoulder to shoulder with the finest estates of the Old World.
The 2021 Vintage
Following rainfall in January and February, the 2021 growing season was drier than average, with slightly early budbreak and bloom. Variable weather during flowering and fruit set resulted in reduced yields, and combined with small berry size, this led to some of the lowest yields per acre in recent years. The season itself was exceptionally mild, with no significant heat events, allowing the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly. Harvest took place from 25 September to 18 October. Small berries and compact clusters delivered concentrated, richly flavoured grapes, juice, and wine.
The opaque, garnet-black 2021 Les Pavots bursts from the glass with a compelling array of blackcurrant, blueberry crumble, black olive, leather, and blackberry pie, accented by dried rose petal, garrigue, clove, and black pepper. A powerful entry gives way to an abundance of silky, fine-grained tannins, with a mid-palate surge that resolves into an elegant, gracefully soft finish. A wine of pedigree, the 2021 Les Pavots will age beautifully for more than two decades.
Scores
99/100 – The Drink Business
97/100 – Vinous
97/100 – JamesSuckling.com
97/100 – Wine Advocate
96/100 – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
96/100 – The Wine Independent
99/100 – The Drink Business
(Knights Valley AVA, Sonoma County; 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot; aged 18 months in approximately 70% new French oak; 15.8% alcohol; tasted with Robert Fiore, winemaker since 2020, at the CVBG press tasting; highest tannic levels since 2013)
“In the shadow of Mount Saint Helena, from a mountain vineyard at 290–600 metres. Intense yet lithe and lifted, energetic and bright, crisp and fresh. Glossy, creamy, fine-grained tannins beautifully structure the fruit, drawing it into a focused, tightly defined core. Lush and intensely floral — iris, lily, pink rose petals, then gladioli with air. A touch of wild herb. The fruit shows remarkable intensity: dark, rich, plump, yet crunchy and juicy, with damson, dark plums, black cherries, brambles, and mulberries. With aeration, cassis emerges alongside cedar and graphite in equal measure. Truly spectacular, especially in this vintage.”
— Colin Hay
