This gorgeous Bordeaux blend is as incredible as it is cult. A truly miraculous red wine. Peter Michael Winery needs no introduction. Year after year their exquisite, artisan releases bring pleasure to people all over the world, and it all started in 1982 when Sir Peter Michael founded the winery on a square mile of rocky volcanic ridges on the western face of Mount St. Helena. From the beginning, the philosophy modeled on French winemaking tradition and governed by three principles: the vineyard terroir would be the single most important feature, the wines would be lightly elegant rather than powerful and a hundred-year commitment would be made to the development of a great estate. Peter Michael is the only winery in Knights Valley. Its original winemaker, the famous Helen Turley, followed by Mark Aubert and Luc Morlet. Currently winemaking is under the leadership of Nicolas Morlet, Luc’s brother, whose extensive experience with Bordeaux and Burgundian style viticulture and winemaking lends itself well to the Peter Michael mission of producing single-vineyard, limited production bottlings from small, mountain vineyards. Saturated ruby color with a nuance of vermillion, 2005 Les Pavots reveals an deep bouquet of black cherry, blackcurrant, blueberry and blackberry, with nuances of cedar, cacao, cigar box, black tea, graphite, a stylish ‘garrigue’ touch, forest floor, sweet vanilla and cloves. Extremely full-bodied, this wine offers the same rich, ripe fruit impressions on the palate. The mouth feel is full and round, with elegant tannins, which lead to a long finish. 97 WS, 95 WA