Winemaker Notes
The dark ruby 2021 L'Esprit des Pavots offers an intense perfume of red and black cherry, blackberry pie, crushed rose petal, black currant and red plum supported by hints of dark chocolate, black pepper, anise and black olive. The supple entry leads to soft, but plentiful silky tannins which persist through the mid-palate and lengthy finish. This round, plush L'Esprit des Pavots is more approachable now than its Au Paradis and Les Pavots counterparts but the 2021 vintage promises to improve for more than a decade in the cellar.
Blend: 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 L'Esprit Des Pavots comes from the Les Pavot Vineyard, with a little more from the Oakville estate, but in this vintage, they started to include these younger 15-year-old vines. It’s built from 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and pours a red/purple hue. The nose is captivating on opening, with aromas of floral perfume and notes of crushed flowers, sweet tobacco, polished spice, and crushed blackberries, with some red fruit shining through to frame the profile beautifully. It floats on the palate with a full-bodied feel, refined, polished tannins, and a clean, long finish.
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James Suckling
Very bright and pretty with dark fruit and spices as well as orange peel. Medium-bodied and integrated, with tannins that spread across the palate and deliver structure with drinkability. It’s a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot from their vineyards in Knights Valley and Oakville.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 L'Esprit des Pavots comes from two of Peter Michael's three estate vineyards and favors Oakville fruit (58%) over Knights Valley fruit (42%) this vintage. A blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, it's a touch more open than its single-site counterparts, the Au Paradis and Les Pavots, although its aromas are just as pure. It has generous, layered scents of red and black currants and kirsch with accents of cocoa powder, cigars, aniseed, damp earth and desert sage. It strikes an effortless balance of concentrated flavors, sparks of fresh acidity and pixelated tannins, and it has a long, nuanced finish. Despite its upfront appeal, it will age gracefully over the next 10–15 years.
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Vinous
The 2021 L'Esprit des Pavots is exquisite. Understated and classy, the 2021 offers unreal finesse, especially for a second wine. Mid-weight structure, silky tannins and lifted aromatics make the 2021 an absolute charmer. All the elements are so well balanced. This is a rare L'Esprit that slightly favors Oakville over Knights Valley in the blend. It's a gorgeous second wine, if that term is even applicable here.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
A small and picturesque valley separating Napa Valley on its south border and Alexander Valley to its north, Knights Valley excels in similar varieties as the two aforementioned appellations, namely red Bordeaux varieties and blends, as well as Sauvignon blanc. Originally established by Beringer Vineyards, today several outstanding producers claim acreage here. The circadian cooling effects of the nearby Pacific Ocean create a nighttime respite for vineyards during the hot growing season.