Peter Michael Les Pavots Knights Valley 2013

98+ points Robert Parker: "The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Les Pavots, which is their proprietary red wine blend from Knights Valley, is a killer effort, and one of their all-time greats, ranking right up there with the 2007 or 1997. A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot, there are 3,600 cases of it. The wine displays plenty of mocha, chocolate, blackberry, creosote and charcoal in an incredibly complex fragrance. Full-bodied and opulent, it shows, loads of tannin, a hint of unsmoked cigar tobacco and plenty of black and blue fruits. Opaque purple to the rim, this wine is in need of a good 5-6 years of cellaring and certainly has 30-40 years of life in it. Drink: 2020-2060. (Dec 2015)"

98 points James Suckling: "The energy and decadence in this wine is truly breathtaking with dried flowers, wet bark, plum, strawberry, and forest fruit. Full body, ultra-soft and velvety tannins. Savory and sappy. Juicy finish. Decadent and more-ish. A wine with a great future and richness. 69% cabernet sauvignon, 21% cabernet franc, 9% merlot, and 1% petit verdot. (6/10/16)"

Producer notes: "69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Deep dark color with saturated ruby and a vermillion nuance, 2013 Les Pavots reveals a deep bouquet of cacao powder, coffee, black cherry, blueberry and blackberry, licorice, with nuances of cedar, cigar box, cloves, Asian spices, black tea, graphite, vanilla, a stylish ‘garrigue’ touch and black truffle. Extremely full-bodied, the wine offers the same rich, ripe fruit impressions on the palate. The mouth feel is very dense and round, with elegant tannins, which lead to a long finish. Complex, the 2013 Les Pavots will age gracefully for two decades and provides a classic presentation of our estate’s terroir. Aged 18 months in 100% French oak barrels. Alcohol 14.8%."