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.
2016 was near perfect. Overall slightly cooler than average, it started early with a warm, dry spring and just enough rain to meet the vineyard’s needs. A long Indian summer gave us excellent ripening and flavour development. Moderate temperatures at harvest allowed gradual picking as each block achieved perfection, yielding a bountiful crop of Bordeaux varietals and wines of uncommon depth and concentration. 2016 Les Pavots displays a sophisticated bouquet of fresh leather, morel mushroom, vanilla bean, black fruit, cherry, blackberry, blueberry coulis, and a stylish ‘garrigue’ touch. Full-bodied and elegant, the wine offers the same rich, ripe fruit impressions on the palate. The mouth feel is dense and round, with supple tannins and subtle mineral notes leading to a long finish. Approachable now, the wine provides a classic presentation of the estate terroir. It will handsomely reward four years of cellaring and continue to age gracefully for two decades.