Takes a bit of time for the nose to open up, but you are then rewarded with lovely blue and red fruits. These continue on the palate with a nice long leather and blueberry finish. Incredibly enjoyable journey.
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Roasted coffee beans, dark fruit, leather, and spice are all evident. It’s a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petite Verdot. This lovely second wine from Peter Michael is drinking well right now. 15.3% ABV. $110.
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A touch too much new oak/vanilla for me, but well balanced, great dark fruit, tannins nicely integrated already - would have been a point or two higher but it comes off a trifle sweet to me (and my wife). Not a caymus/mondavi bomb by any stretch, but if I’m nitpicking, that’s the thing I’d prefer was different.
Better on day two - more savory and dark fruit, less oak/vanilla. 93 or better. Will let my other bottles sleep for a while longer.
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Opened and decanted for about 90 minutes prior to dinner. Inky dark in the glass and clearly young in appearance. Surprisingly fruit forward with dark fruits and some vanilla. Long finish.
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This earthy and tasty Cabernet blend goes down so easy that it's hard to believe it's so young. Ruby red in color and medium in body, the wine has aromas of blackberry, graphite, and olives. The tastes currently tilt towards Cab Franc - e.g., boysenberry, baking spices, leather, and green pepper - even though the blend is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot. The finish is spicy and fresh, with a hint of cocoa powder and lightness in the mouth that is shocking for a wine this big (15.3% alcohol). Decant at least an hour.
The L'Esprit des Pavot is one of my favorite $100 CA Cabernets, though this is more savory than past vintages. That said, it has enough ripe mountain fruit, bright acidity, and a hint of cocoa, to make it worth seeking out. For what it's worth, this has far more nuance and depth than the 2014. I suspect this will integrate more in 2020, but it has the balance and density to last for 3-5 years, if not more. 93-94 for now.
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N: Vanilla, other unparsable aromas underneath; Intensity lurking
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with LOVELY, almost swtish frt met by SOME puckerish astringency which evolves into a LONG, BALANCED, tangy/swt finish with just a TOUCH of bitterness to the almost non-existent tannins. For now & through '21, I'd guess. 15.5% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, a downrate because while clearly well made, I'm having LOTS of trouble with the QPR of a "current release" that's selling for $99.95 & is likely to improve little if at all -- & this vendor's $99.95 IS as good as any on wine-searcher. 94 pts Suckling & Jeb Dunnuck, 92 Vinous, & 90 WA.
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Tasted at Skurnik Grand Portfolio tasting in NYC and poured by Nicolas Morlet, winemaker. I took few notes on this, it was very tightly wound, bracing acidity and prett substantial tannins. Pretty powerful for the “second Pavots” but I had a tough time identifying the fruit at this point. Another Fall 2018 release.
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6/25/2021 - franinnyc Likes this wine: 94 Points
Terrific. Drinking very well now.
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3/6/2021 - Hppr Cellar Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking well
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10/9/2020 - bavaur wrote: 94 Points
Takes a bit of time for the nose to open up, but you are then rewarded with lovely blue and red fruits. These continue on the palate with a nice long leather and blueberry finish. Incredibly enjoyable journey.
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8/25/2020 - ashikoh Likes this wine: 92 Points
Roasted coffee beans, dark fruit, leather, and spice are all evident. It’s a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petite Verdot. This lovely second wine from Peter Michael is drinking well right now. 15.3% ABV. $110.
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9/22/2019 - Bob23 Likes this wine: 92 Points
A touch too much new oak/vanilla for me, but well balanced, great dark fruit, tannins nicely integrated already - would have been a point or two higher but it comes off a trifle sweet to me (and my wife). Not a caymus/mondavi bomb by any stretch, but if I’m nitpicking, that’s the thing I’d prefer was different.
Better on day two - more savory and dark fruit, less oak/vanilla. 93 or better. Will let my other bottles sleep for a while longer.
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2/8/2019 - thelostverse wrote: 93 Points
Opened and decanted for about 90 minutes prior to dinner. Inky dark in the glass and clearly young in appearance. Surprisingly fruit forward with dark fruits and some vanilla. Long finish.
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2/7/2019 - msuwine wrote: 94 Points
This earthy and tasty Cabernet blend goes down so easy that it's hard to believe it's so young. Ruby red in color and medium in body, the wine has aromas of blackberry, graphite, and olives. The tastes currently tilt towards Cab Franc - e.g., boysenberry, baking spices, leather, and green pepper - even though the blend is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot. The finish is spicy and fresh, with a hint of cocoa powder and lightness in the mouth that is shocking for a wine this big (15.3% alcohol). Decant at least an hour.
The L'Esprit des Pavot is one of my favorite $100 CA Cabernets, though this is more savory than past vintages. That said, it has enough ripe mountain fruit, bright acidity, and a hint of cocoa, to make it worth seeking out. For what it's worth, this has far more nuance and depth than the 2014. I suspect this will integrate more in 2020, but it has the balance and density to last for 3-5 years, if not more. 93-94 for now.
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10/6/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 6 *shared* bottles] from 10/05/18 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Sourced from the younger frt of their Les Pavots Vyd, 1,000–1,400 ft elev with a S exposure & rocky volcanic-origin Rhyolite soil; 53% C.S., 21% C.F, 20% Merlot, & 6% Petit Verdot
N: Vanilla, other unparsable aromas underneath; Intensity lurking
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with LOVELY, almost swtish frt met by SOME puckerish astringency which evolves into a LONG, BALANCED, tangy/swt finish with just a TOUCH of bitterness to the almost non-existent tannins. For now & through '21, I'd guess. 15.5% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, a downrate because while clearly well made, I'm having LOTS of trouble with the QPR of a "current release" that's selling for $99.95 & is likely to improve little if at all -- & this vendor's $99.95 IS as good as any on wine-searcher. 94 pts Suckling & Jeb Dunnuck, 92 Vinous, & 90 WA.
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3/5/2018 - oldwines wrote: 90 Points
Tasted at Skurnik Grand Portfolio tasting in NYC and poured by Nicolas Morlet, winemaker. I took few notes on this, it was very tightly wound, bracing acidity and prett substantial tannins. Pretty powerful for the “second Pavots” but I had a tough time identifying the fruit at this point. Another Fall 2018 release.
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