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.
A dry winter followed by unseasonably warm temperatures in early spring accelerated bud break by four weeks, and meant that careful vineyard management was critical for the health of the vines. However ideal conditions at harvest allowed each block to be calmly picked as it achieved optimal ripeness. Yields were higher than average, but due to dehydration the skins and pulps of the berries were thicker than normal, resulting in low yields of exceptionally concentrated fruit. 2014 Les Pavots has a deep bouquet of cacao powder, potpourri, black cherry, blueberry and licorice, with nuances of cedar, cigar box, black tea, graphite, vanilla, black truffle, and a stylish ‘garrigue’ touch. Extremely full-bodied and elegant, the mouth feel is dense and round, with supple tannins and earthy notes that lead to a long finish. Complex, the wine will age gracefully for two decades and provides a classic presentation of the estate’s mountain terroir.