2022 L'Esprit des Pavots
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This delicious, almost sweet Bordeaux-style red blend entices with red cherries, strawberries and spearmint on a silky, lightly tannic frame. It's easy to sip, indulgent in ripe fruit, cream and chocolate mint flavors. Soft tannins make it enjoyable now. Drink now or hold. (JG)
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James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The deep ruby/magenta-colored 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon L'Esprit Des Pavots is a blend of Knights Valley and Oakville, and it’s fruity upfront with a ripe, floral perfume of purple flowers, violets, blackberries, and blueberries. The palate is full, with ripe tannins, and it retains good freshness despite the heat of this vintage. It offers more immediate appeal and has a more pliant and rounded structure. Drink 2026-2040. 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.
The 2022 L'Esprit des Pavots contains 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot (47% of the fruit comes from Knights Valley in Sonoma County and 53% of the fruit comes from Oakville in Napa County). It has pure aromas of black cherries, blueberries, savory herbs, graphite and violet. The full-bodied palate is ripe and concentrated with fine-grained tannins, mouthwatering acidity and a long, perfumed finish. A total of 1,681 cases were made, and the wine will be released in September of 2025.
The 2022 L'Esprit des Pavots is absolutely gorgeous. Bold, juicy and forward, the 2022 is such a charmer. A blast of super-ripe dark red cherry fruit, mocha, truffle, spice, new leather, licorice and new oak makes a strong opening statement. In many vintages, L'Esprit is more aromatic and savory, but the 2022 is all about fruit. The blend is 53% Au Paradis and 47% Les Pavots.
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.