2016 Peter Michael L'Esprit des Pavots California Red

2016 Peter Michael L'Esprit des Pavots

96 DEC

Featured Review

A good dose of rainfall aided the drought in 2016, however it resulted in uneven fruit-set and therefore a small crop. The vintage was overall slightly cooler than average, which provided a delicate and bright profile for the wines. This is an ideal pairing for a braised rabbit ragu served with handmade pappardelle pasta. It has a lively array of freshly picked red rose and lilac aromas, with flavours of blackberry pie with a toasted crust, black tea and vanilla. Electric and satisfying layers of rich tannins and fruit decorate the landscape. Drinking Window 2019 - 2032 Decanter

Decanter | 96 DEC

Leading off the Bordeaux Blends, the 2016 L'Esprit des Pavots offers impressive amounts of black fruits, tobacco, cedarwood, coffee bean, and leafy herb-like aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied, has a deep, layered texture, ripe tannins, and plenty of upfront, sexy fruit. It’s also incredibly complex as well as a brilliant wine.

Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JD

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon L'Esprit des Pavots is a dense, rich second wine that takes fruit from both Les Pavots and Au Paradis, Peter Michael's estate vineyard in Oakville. Dark cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, licorice and spice are pushed forward in a succulent, racy wine that will drink well right out of the gate. This is the first vintage in which Les Pavots is a blend of fruit from both estate vineyards. The blend is 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot.

Vinous Media | 92 VM

The 2016 L'Esprit des Pavots is a blend of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot. Very deep garnet-purple colored, it's scented of black cherries, warm blackberries and plums with nuances of spice box and cigar box plus a hint of potpourri. The palate is medium to full-bodied, soft, plush and juicy in the mouth, with loads of earthy sparks on the long, fruity finish. 1,705 cases produced.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 90 RP

Type of Wine	California Red : Whether it's Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Zinfandel, Californian red wine producers have a lovely habit of taking a varietal and expressing its essence in a unique, never before seen way. From Napa Valley to the regions south of Los Angeles, there's a red for everyone - and it's never too late to start exploring.
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	US : As one of the most prolific and innovative wine regions in the world, America is a joy to explore. Most wine connoisseurs will agree that the nation's finest and most compelling wines are being produced today, which means that we have front-row seats to one of the most inspirational stories in wine history. While other regions tend to focus on specific wine styles and have somewhat strict rules as to which varietals you could grow, areas like California have few such restrictions in place. As a result, creative visionaries behind America's most reputable estates have been able to develop compelling, unique, and innovative styles, with a level of terroir expression that rivals even France's largest giants.
Region	California : With a history of wine production that dates back to the 18th century, California currently sits as one of the world's most prolific and reputable wine regions. With an area as vast as California, you can expect a colorful collage of terroir profiles, a series of microclimates, and micro-environments that give the wine a unique, memorable appeal. The region's produce is far from homogenized in that sense, and it would take you countless hours to sample all of it. While the region boasts scars from the Prohibition era, it went through what can only be described as a viticultural Renaissance sometime after the 1960s. At that point, California went from a port-style, sweet wine region to a versatile and compelling competitor on the world market. Today, no matter which way your taste in wine leans, you can find a new favorite producer among California's most talented. Notable sub-regions include legendary names like Napa Valley and Sonoma County, places that any wine lover would die to visit. California's quintessential warm climate allows for incredibly ripe fruit expressions, a style that provides a stark contrast to Old World-inspired, earthy classics. Even where inspiration was clearly taken from staple French appellations, Californian winemakers put their own unique spin on the wine.