2021 L'Esprit des Pavots
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The 2021 L'Esprit Des Pavots comes from the Les Pavot Vineyard, with a little more from the Oakville estate, but in this vintage, they started to include these younger 15-year-old vines. It’s built from 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and pours a red/purple hue. The nose is captivating on opening, with aromas of floral perfume and notes of crushed flowers, sweet tobacco, polished spice, and crushed blackberries, with some red fruit shining through to frame the profile beautifully. It floats on the palate with a full-bodied feel, refined, polished tannins, and a clean, long finish. It’s seamless and haunting and is only going to improve with time. Drink 2027-2050. Sir Peter Michael founded his eponymous winery in 1982, inspired by the wine of Chateau Montelena, which led him to California. In 2020, Robert Fiore took the helm as winemaker, while former winemaker Luc Morlet remains as a consultant. Robert studied at the Colorado School of Mines, which led him to a career in environmental geophysics before finding his path into the world of wine. He went on to UC Davis to study Viticulture and Enology. Most recently, Robert was a member of the winemaking team at Continuum in Napa. Vineyard manager Javier Avina has championed the land since 1991. Each of the sites are steep hillsides in Knights Valley that modulate with varied exposition and soils. Sir Peter’s son Paul and his wife Emily oversee the management of the winery today.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Very bright and pretty with dark fruit and spices as well as orange peel. Medium-bodied and integrated, with tannins that spread across the palate and deliver structure with drinkability. Itâs a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot from their vineyards in Knights Valley and Oakville. Drink or hold.
The 2021 L'Esprit des Pavots comes from two of Peter Michael's three estate vineyards and favors Oakville fruit (58%) over Knights Valley fruit (42%) this vintage. A blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, it's a touch more open than its single-site counterparts, the Au Paradis and Les Pavots, although its aromas are just as pure. It has generous, layered scents of red and black currants and kirsch with accents of cocoa powder, cigars, aniseed, damp earth and desert sage. It strikes an effortless balance of concentrated flavors, sparks of fresh acidity and pixelated tannins, and it has a long, nuanced finish. Despite its upfront appeal, it will age gracefully over the next 10–15 years. 1,121 cases were made, and the L'Esprit des Pavots will be released in July of 2024.
The 2021 L'Esprit des Pavots is exquisite. Understated and classy, the 2021 offers unreal finesse, especially for a second wine. Mid-weight structure, silky tannins and lifted aromatics make the 2021 an absolute charmer. All the elements are so well balanced. This is a rare L'Esprit that slightly favors Oakville over Knights Valley in the blend. It's a gorgeous second wine, if that term is even applicable here.
About the producer
Founded in 1983 by Sir Peter Michael CBE and his wife Margaret, Peter Michael Winery produces some of California’s finest wines.