Description
The first vineyard to be planted on the Knights Valley Estate, Les Pavot ('The Poppies') remains the signature wine of Peter Michael. Spanning 49 acres, Les Pavots ascends to an elevation of nearly 1,400 feet. Merlot and Cabernet Franc grow on the cool upper slopes,with Cabernet Sauvignon in the warmer sections just below. Always a Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux Blend, the distinctive aromas of this exceptional wine clearly display the hillside terroir. Hand-harvested, vinified with meticulous care and aged for 18months in French oak, this stunning wine can stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best estates of the old world.
2013 began with a dry spring and mild temperatures, very similar to the previous vintage. With the exception of one heat spike in late June, summer temperatures were consistently optimal, resulting in notably healthy vines. From veraison to the harvest, a long Indian summer contributed to the exceptional quality of the vintage. Sunny days, followed by cool evenings allowed for even, slow ripening, giving berries with amazing fruit intensity and a classic varietal profile. 2013 Les Pavots reveals a deep bouquet of cacao powder, coffee, black cherry, blueberry and blackberry, licorice, with nuances of cedar, cigar box, cloves, Asian spices, black tea, graphite, vanilla, a stylish ‘garrigue’ touch and black truffle. Extremely full-bodied, the mouth feel is dense and round, with elegant tannins and a long finish. Complex anda classic presentation of the estate’s terroir the 2013 Les Pavots will age gracefully for two decades or more.