2012 Peter Michael, Les Pavots, Knights Valley, Bottle (750ml)

JS97 "This has great density with a firm and silky texture that caresses your palate, giving layers of mouthfeel. It shows so much, yet has subtle grilled meat, black truffles and dark fruits. Sous bois gives a mushroom and cedar character. Long finish." JS Oct 2012

Robert Parker writes, "The 2012s made from Bordeaux varietals include their flagship wine, the 2012 Proprietary Red Les Pavots, a sensational blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. A prodigious effort, it rivals some of the fabulous past vintages such as 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2007. The inky/purple-colored 2012 boasts classic notes of crème de cassis, roasted coffee, vanilla bean, cedar, forest floor and blueberries. Full-bodied and complex with sweet tannin as well as hints of charcoal and camphor, this opulent, multi-leveled, Bordeaux-styled 2012 can be drunk now or cellared for 25-30+ years." BT 96-98Pts
If one considers the total production of all the Peter Michael cuvées (which must be approaching 30,000 cases) and the diversity of their wines, including six cuvées of Chardonnay, four of Pinot Noir, three Bordeaux blends, and lastly Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, Peter Michael Winery may be the best-run winery of its size for world-class quality. There has been a succession of brilliant minds and craftspeople who have gone through these doors, from the early days with Helen Turley and Mark Aubert, to Luc Morlet and now his brother, Nicolas Morlet. Having followed these wines for nearly two decades, they seem to go from strength to strength, and the 2012s and 2013s may be the finest group of wines Peter Michael has ever produced. This is indeed high praise! By the way, kudos to Sir Peter Michael for making the cover of The Wine Spectator, a long overdue recognition of his accomplishments." Published: Dec 29, 2014