1998 Les Pavots

This glossy bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc is a lovely dark ruby colour. It's very subtle and layered without being excessively sweet. Bullseye in the ripe tea-leaf Californian style. The tannins are almost covered by the opulent fruit but they're there all right. You could buy a pretty smart bordeaux for this money though. (JR)

The 1998 Les Pavots (80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc) was produced from minuscule yields of 1.3 tons of fruit per acre. It exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to aromas of melted fudge, cocoa, tobacco, and black currant fruit. In the mouth, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with firm tannin, and a compressed, moderately long finish. 1998 was a difficult vintage, but Les Pavots has turned out well. Nevertheless, it is a successful effort in a challenging year. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2014. (Not yet released) Tel. (707) 942-4459; Fax (707) 942-0209

The 1998 Les Pavots (80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc) was produced from minuscule yields of 1.3 tons of fruit per acre. It exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to aromas of melted fudge, cocoa, tobacco, and black currant fruit. In the mouth, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with firm tannin, and a compressed, moderately long finish. 1998 was a difficult vintage, but Les Pavots has turned out well. Nevertheless, it is a successful effort in a challenging year. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2014.||(Not yet released)||Tel. (707) 942-4459; Fax (707) 942-0209 Wine Advocate.December, 2000