2022 Peter Michael Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis
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Tasting notes
77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot. Continuing the drought from 2020 and 2021 with another winter of low rainfall in 2022. Summer was cooler than 2021 but a prolonged heat event occurred in early September, condensing the harvest window to eight days. Harvest 10–17 September. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered 8–9 May 2024. Much livelier than Les Pavots and more appetising and transparent. Still a bit hot on the end but it offers a bit more refreshment. (JR)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Coming from Oakville in Napa, the 2022 Au Paradis is composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, and a splash of Merlot. It’s ripe with notes of preserved plum, dark stones, olive, mocha, and dark earth. The palate is ripe and full, and its tannins feel a bit more approachable and ripe, with more hints of mocha coming through on the finish. It’s full and decadent, and they did what they could to retain the freshness in this very challenging vintage. It’s long on the palate, and while it might not have the same longevity and tension as the 2021, it’s a strong wine to drink over the coming 10-12 years. 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.
Deep ruby red, this is powerful and concentrated, lovely dark spice. Fleshier, with softer tannins than the Pavots, spiced plum, sandalwood and cedar, bitter black chocolate, luscious feel. Kick of heat on the finish. 60% new oak for ageing, 100% destemmed, 610m altitude. Morgan Maureze head winemaker.
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis contains 21% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot. It has singular, inviting aromas of blueberry, black cherry, juniper, thyme, violet and dark chocolate. The full-bodied palate is just as expressive, offering power and concentration without sacrificing elegance. Its graphite and floral-laced flavors are structured by luxuriously powdery tannins and bright acidity, and it has a very long, layered finish. A total of 1,642 cases were made, and the wine will be released in September of 2025.
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.