Rare new release from cult winery Peter Michael. Limited. L’Esprit des Pavots translates to “The Spirit of the Poppies.” First produced in the 2002 vintage, the wine was sourced from the younger vines on the Peter Michael estate vineyards. As the vineyard matured, “L’Esprit” has evolved into a more frankly Californian expression of our Les Pavots vineyard’s terroir. This bottling is now a full-fledged member of the Peter Michael family of wines. The blend for L’Esprit is a bit more free-form than Les Pavots, varying more from vintage to vintage. The wine is typically a bit more fruit forward and early drinking than Les Pavots but remains a true expression of the estate’s terroir. Generiously rich and intense, the Peter Michael 2016 L’Esprit des Pavots displays all the features which characterize the Les Pavots terroir: blueberry, vanilla bean, licorice, chocolate, cedar and coffee. The fruit of younger vines brings additional aromas of black cherry, black currant, plum, leather, tobacco and gray and white pepper to the complex bouquet. The palate is full-bodied, and concentrated, exhibiting savory elements and abundant, supple tannins with a lingering finish. Fruit forward and enjoyable at release, this wine should age for a decade or more. 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Al Shikoh
fully opaque violet, magenta rim, prominent tears; plum, black cherry, dark chocolate, coffee, leather, and cedar; dense, concentrated, juicy dark fruit, good length; full bodied, medium acidity, gritty tannins, no heat despite 15.3% ABV; made from blend of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, and 9% Petit Verdot sourced from two estate vineyards with 59% of fruit from Les Pavots vineyard in Knights Valley in Sonoma County and 41% of fruit from Au Paradis vineyard in Oakville, aged 18% in French oak; a very nice fruit forward, early drinking second wine; $110
fully opaque violet, magenta rim, prominent tears; plum, black cherry, dark chocolate, coffee, leather, and cedar; dense, concentrated, juicy dark fruit, good length; full bodied, medium acidity, gritty tannins, no heat despite 15.3% ABV; made from blend of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, and 9% Petit Verdot sourced from two estate vineyards with 59% of fruit from Les Pavots vineyard in Knights Valley in Sonoma County and 41% of fruit from Au Paradis vineyard in Oakville, aged 18% in French oak; a very nice fruit forward, early drinking second wine; $110
9.3David Lee
Beautiful fruit. Getting jammy zin-like now
Beautiful fruit. Getting jammy zin-like now
9.0Tunc Akin
Absolutely stunning! Peter Michael delivers a beautiful full body cab with long finish.
Absolutely stunning! Peter Michael delivers a beautiful full body cab with long finish.
9.4Eric
First timer. Really impressed after some air. Ready now.
First timer. Really impressed after some air. Ready now.
9.2Ian Rice
Wine from Adam/Jac for Larry’s 80th!
Wine from Adam/Jac for Larry’s 80th!
WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.