L’Esprit des Pavots Sonoma County/Napa County Translated from the French: the spirit of the poppies

L’Esprit des Pavots
Estate Cabernet Blend

First produced in the 2001 vintage, the wine was sourced in our Les Pavots vineyard and affectionately referred to as the ‘little brother.’ The blend for L’Esprit has always been more free-form than Les Pavots, varying more from vintage to vintage. Starting in the 2016 vintage we introduced selected lots from our Au Paradis vineyard in Oakville, Napa Valley. The wine is typically more fruit-forward and early-drinking than Les Pavots or Au Paradis, but remains a true expression of the Peter Michael style, balanced, elegant, and age-worthy.

Tasting Notes
Sonoma County/Napa County

Planted

  • Les Pavots, Knights Valley: 1989–1999
  • Au Paradis, Oakville: 1984 & 2007
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Merlot
  • Petit Verdot
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Sémillon

Elevation

  • Les Pavots, Knights Valley: 900–1,400 feet
  • Au Paradis, Oakville: 500 - 600 feet

Soil

  • Les Pavots, Knights Valley: Rocky volcanic-origin Rhyolite
  • Au Paradis, Oakville: Rocky red boomer loam, weathered from volcanic rock, clay, silt, and sand

Exposure

  • Les Pavots, Knights Valley: Southerly
  • Au Paradis, Oakville: South and southwest

Notes

  • Les Pavots, Knights Valley: Rocky, perfectly drained soil couples with an ideal south-facing exposure and just enough heat to allow Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen perfectly.
  • Au Paradis, Oakville: Wonderful red Aiken soils of Oakville, ideal exposure

Wines produced from the
Sonoma County/Napa County

L’Esprit des Pavots

Estate Cabernet Blend

Varietals

  • Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Petit Verdot