Fall Offer 2024

Tasting Notes

2021 ‘Au Paradis’ Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Oakville, Napa Valley

Located in the heart of the Oakville AVA’s famed red dirt in Napa Valley, Au Paradis is exactly where its name translates, “In Heaven.” Planted in the foothills on the east side of the valley on a raised, gently sloping plateau, the Bordeaux varietals develop into a classic style with silky tannins and deep red fruit. Between 500 and 600 feet (152 to 183 meters), 26 acres (11 hectares) of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot look down on the valley and across to the Mayacamas Mountains. The slope and hillside location provide ideal sun exposure during the day and help develop the lush, intense fruit one would expect from such a magnificent property.

2021 ‘L’Esprit des Pavots’ Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

58% Napa Valley & 42% Sonoma County

‘L’Esprit des Pavots’ is French for “The Spirit of the Poppies.” First produced in the 2001 vintage, the wine was sourced solely from our Les Pavots vineyard and affectionately referred to as the “little brother” of our flagship wine. With the 2016 vintage, select lots from our Oakville Estate (Au Paradis vineyard) were introduced to the blend. The wine is typically more fruit-forward and early-drinking than ‘Les Pavots’ or ‘Au Paradis,’ but it remains a true expression of the Peter Michael style—balanced, elegant, and age-worthy

2023 ‘L’Après-Midi’ Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Knights Valley, Sonoma County

The fruit for ‘L’Après-Midi’ (“The Afternoon”) is grown alongside our red varietals in the Les Pavots vineyard. The grapes were picked and sorted by hand, the whole cluster pressed and then naturally fermented in barrel. No malolactic fermentation was conducted to preserve the fruity and zesty character of Sauvignon Blanc. All lots were aged separately on their lees for nine months with gentle bâtonnage, then judiciously blended to compose the final cuvée

2022 ‘Mon Plaisir’ Estate Chardonnay

Knights Valley, Sonoma County

‘Mon Plaisir’ (“My Pleasure”) is chosen from a specific parcel of our mountainside estate vineyards in Knights Valley planted entirely to the Old Wente clone. The vineyard is a perfect combination of full sun exposure and abundant cooling marine influences. This produces low yields and enhances the extracted perfume that makes ‘Mon Plaisir’ a pure classic style. Long, natural alcoholic and malolactic fermentations further develop this intense and complex bouquet while adding ample gras and a round mouthfeel.

2022 ‘Point Rouge’ Estate Chardonnay

Knights Valley, Sonoma County

‘Point Rouge’ is the “tête de cuvée,” or top Chardonnay blend, at Peter Michael Winery. Always the smallest of the blends, it exemplifies the essence of what is possible from our estate vineyards. Every barrel from each of the best vineyard blocks is evaluated, with only the most exceptional having the ‘Point Rouge’ (“Red Dot”) designation bestowed upon them by the winemaker. These barrels are selected for their exceptional quality, richness, mouthfeel, structure, and potential for long-term aging in the bottle. For the 2022 vintage, ten barrels from Belle Côte, Ma Belle-Fille, and La Carrière vineyards were selected and blended in January 2024, creating the final cuvée.

2022 ‘Clos du Ciel’ Estate Pinot Noir

Fort Ross–Seaview, Sonoma County

The name Clos du Ciel is French for “In the Sky,” and is a metaphor for the rare microclimate of this vineyard site. Situated nearly one mile (1.6 kilometers) from the Pacific Ocean among the trees on a ridge approaching an elevation of 1,400 feet (427 meters), this mountain vineyard receives the coastal influence, along with ideal strong, sunny days. This distinct site lends to creating a wine with polished tannins, body, and hints of mineral graphite. ‘Clos du Ciel’ traditionally presents the most full-bodied structure of our three Seaview Estate Pinot Noirs.

2021 ‘Le Chapeau Blanc’ Estate Cabernet Franc

Oakville, Napa Valley

‘Le Chapeau Blanc’ (“The White Hat,” referring to Sir Peter’s signature Panama hat) embodies the grace, poise, and complexity of old-vine Cabernet Franc grown in an exceptional terroir. Located on the upper slope of our Oakville Estate at 530 to 560 feet (162 to 171 meters), the Le Chapeau Blanc block features deep red soils in the heart of the Oakville AVA in Napa Valley. Rarely does Cabernet Franc reach the level of seamless integration of plush tannins, elegant power, and effortless refinement found in fruit from this unique site.

2022 ‘Ma Danseuse’ Estate Pinot Noir

Fort Ross–Seaview, Sonoma County

‘Ma Danseuse,’ French for “My Dancer,” is named in honor of Lady Michael by Sir Peter, who fondly remembers how they first met. Situated between 1,000 and 1,500 feet (305 to 457 meters) above sea level on steep mountain slopes, the vineyard faces east and northeast. It benefits from both the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean over the ridges to the west and the mild, sunny mountain climate. The soil of the vineyard is a composite of clay, silt, and volcanic gravels, which gives polished tannins, body, and a hint of graphite-mineral. Ma Danseuse is the most feminine of our trio of Pinot Noir vineyards.

2022 ‘Ma Belle-Fille’ Estate Chardonnay

Knights Valley, Sonoma County

At the highest elevation on the estate, the marine influence on Ma Belle-Fille (“My Daughter-In-Law”) is greater, resulting in cooler daily temperatures in the summer and autumn months. Situated far above the summer fog ceiling and exposed to the southeast, the vineyard receives the very first rays of sunshine each morning and remains sunny all day long. This full exposure, combined with cooler temperatures, causes the fruit to mature earlier than the rest of our estate