Peter Michael
About Peter Michael
Sir Peter Michael is an Englishman in California - in Knights Valley, Sonoma County to be precise. Formerly an engineer from the UK, Sir Peter founded his eponymous winery, Peter Michael Winery in 1983, from where it has grown a reputation as one of California’s finest estates.
“There's nothing that this winery does that is not admirable. Consider that they work with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, they produce world-class wines from all of these varietals, and they do it from Knight's Valley and the Sonoma Coast.” – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
As with so many of the top wines made in California, these cuvées are made in limited quantities so fans of the USA’s finest wines will need to act quickly in order to secure.
- Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis 2018: 2,171 cases
- Les Pavots Proprietary Red 2018: 3,255 cases
- L'Esprit des Pavots 2018: 1,707 cases
- Sauvignon L'Apres Midi 2018: 2,939 cases
Read More
Photo
AI Chat
-
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
Pouring an opaque red, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis is lush and refined with aromas of cassis, espresso, violets, and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied, this refined profile continues on the palate, with a ripe, velvety texture, fine tannins, and notes of black cherry liqueur and mocha, as well as floral oils that last long on the palate without feeling heavy. Drink 2025-2045.$1,915.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis is a saturated purple hue and is classic and inviting with lush aromatics of menthol, cassis, dark stones, and warming spice. An exceptional vintage of this wine, it’s long and balanced, with all its components harmonious throughout. It has a plush, velvety texture, even acidity, and fantastic length. As it unfolds, it boasts layers of mocha, leather, and earth, it’s all put together fantastically, and while it’s unquestionably decadent, it’s not sappy or overbearing. It’s one of those wines that’s a pleasure to drink now and will also age with ease over the coming decades. Perfection. Drink: 2027-2057.$1,145.00 -
James Suckling (98)
So fresh and fruit-driven, yet full-bodied, creamy and rich in mouthfeel. This amazing wine starts with cool, crisp apple and juicy pear aromas, then offers a great blend of ripe fruit, cream, vanilla bean and lemon curd on the palate. Almost ethereal. Very lingering in the finish. Drink now or hold.$2,203.00 -
(12x75cl) 2012Vinous (92)
(95% sauvignon blanc and 5% semillon): Pale, green-tinged yellow. Musky lemon pith, fresh herbs and white flowers on the nose, with complicating notes of agave and chalky minerals. Taut and incisive, offering vibrant citrus fruit, quince and deeper melon flavors braced by tangy acidity. Plays power off of vivacity smoothly and finishes dry, nervy and very long, leaving a honeysuckle note behind.$1,140.00 -
(1x75cl) 2017Vinous (93)
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon L'Esprit des Pavots is a blend taken from both Les Pavots in Knights Valley and Au Paradis in Oakville. Bright acids and lifted floral notes give this mid-weight Bordeaux blend energy and a real sense of precision. Red cherry fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and cedar add nuance throughout. Here, too, production is down sharply (1,200 cases versus 1,800, which is more typical), but the wine is just compelling.$170.00 -
Vinous (94)
(77% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc, 8% merlot and 2% petit verdot) Glass-staining ruby. Powerful aromas of red- and blackcurrant, with deeper cherry compote, tobacco and candied licorice emerging with air. Very rich but surprisingly graceful, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors, velvety texture and a suave floral pastille quality. Tightens up on the finish, which repeats the redcurrant and licorice notes and simply refuses to let up. This wine's depth and linear character are something else. There is more cabernet sauvignon in this Pavots than in any previous bottling, according to Nick's brother Luc, who still consults here.$2,560.00 -
(1x300cl) 2006Vinous (94)
(77% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc, 8% merlot and 2% petit verdot) Glass-staining ruby. Powerful aromas of red- and blackcurrant, with deeper cherry compote, tobacco and candied licorice emerging with air. Very rich but surprisingly graceful, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors, velvety texture and a suave floral pastille quality. Tightens up on the finish, which repeats the redcurrant and licorice notes and simply refuses to let up. This wine's depth and linear character are something else. There is more cabernet sauvignon in this Pavots than in any previous bottling, according to Nick's brother Luc, who still consults here.$1,175.00 -
(1x450cl) 2006Vinous (94)
(77% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc, 8% merlot and 2% petit verdot) Glass-staining ruby. Powerful aromas of red- and blackcurrant, with deeper cherry compote, tobacco and candied licorice emerging with air. Very rich but surprisingly graceful, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors, velvety texture and a suave floral pastille quality. Tightens up on the finish, which repeats the redcurrant and licorice notes and simply refuses to let up. This wine's depth and linear character are something else. There is more cabernet sauvignon in this Pavots than in any previous bottling, according to Nick's brother Luc, who still consults here.$2,460.00 -
(6x150cl) 2006Vinous (94)
(77% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc, 8% merlot and 2% petit verdot) Glass-staining ruby. Powerful aromas of red- and blackcurrant, with deeper cherry compote, tobacco and candied licorice emerging with air. Very rich but surprisingly graceful, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors, velvety texture and a suave floral pastille quality. Tightens up on the finish, which repeats the redcurrant and licorice notes and simply refuses to let up. This wine's depth and linear character are something else. There is more cabernet sauvignon in this Pavots than in any previous bottling, according to Nick's brother Luc, who still consults here.$3,070.00 -
Vinous (94)
Glass-staining ruby. Alluring aromas of red- and blackcurrant, cherry compote, incense and pipe tobacco. Lush and creamy on entry, then firmer in the middle, offering sweet dark fruit flavors complicated by notes of candied rose, licorice and smoky herbs. Supple and palate-staining wine with superb finishing clarity and lingering sweetness.$2,730.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2009 Les Pavots, a 3,440-case blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, comes from Knights Valley. It exhibits a distinctive truffle, chocolate, blackberry and cassis-scented bouquet, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and fabulous concentration, purity and density. This magnificent effort’s open-knit style was surprising as most Northern California 2009s made from Bordeaux varietals are somewhat austere and closed at present. This wine should drink well for another two decades or more.$2,560.00 -
(6x150cl) 2009Wine Advocate (96)
The 2009 Les Pavots, a 3,440-case blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, comes from Knights Valley. It exhibits a distinctive truffle, chocolate, blackberry and cassis-scented bouquet, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and fabulous concentration, purity and density. This magnificent effort’s open-knit style was surprising as most Northern California 2009s made from Bordeaux varietals are somewhat austere and closed at present. This wine should drink well for another two decades or more.$3,005.00 -
Vinous (92)
(73% cabernet sauvignon, 14% cabernet franc, 10% merlot and 3% petit verdot): Opaque ruby. Smoky, deeply pitched aromas of cassis, blueberry and dark chocolate, with a hint of truffle adding a musky, earthy nuance. In a substantial style for the vintage, offering sweet dark fruit preserve flavors and a touch of candied licorice. Tangy acidity adds lift to the round, gently tannic, persistent finish, with the blue fruit note echoing.$1,710.00 -
James Suckling (97)
Love the sweet berries, black olives, tile and fresh herbs on the nose with floral undertones. Oyster shell, too. Full-bodied with round, creamy tannins that are beautifully polished and refined. Very long finish. All about finesse and wonderful length. 68% cabernet sauvignon, 19% cabernet franc, 10% merlot and 3% petit verdot. Drink after 2023.$1,990.00 -
(6x75cl) 2018James Suckling (97)
Love the sweet berries, black olives, tile and fresh herbs on the nose with floral undertones. Oyster shell, too. Full-bodied with round, creamy tannins that are beautifully polished and refined. Very long finish. All about finesse and wonderful length. 68% cabernet sauvignon, 19% cabernet franc, 10% merlot and 3% petit verdot. Drink after 2023.$1,164.00 -
James Suckling (99)
This is very perfumed with blackberry and pine-cone aromas, as well as raspberries and black cherries. Full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins that are tight-grained. Creamy and beautiful. Currant and graphite flavors come through. Lightly chewy at the end. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 21% merlot, 14% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot. Drink after 2025.$270.00 -
James Suckling (99)
This is very perfumed with blackberry and pine-cone aromas, as well as raspberries and black cherries. Full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins that are tight-grained. Creamy and beautiful. Currant and graphite flavors come through. Lightly chewy at the end. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 21% merlot, 14% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot. Drink after 2025.$1,305.00 -
(12x75cl) 2021Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Les Pavots is one of the most elegant and classy wines I have tasted from Peter Michael's Knights Valley estate. Deep, layered and substantial, the 2021 holds considerable promise. In most vintages, the Pavots is more aromatically expressive, but today it is quite closed. Dark red plum, mocha, spice, new leather and licorice all build in this embryonic Cabernet Sauvignon. In this tasting, the 2021 needed considerable decanting to show its textural breadth. It’s a gorgeous wine in every way.$2,905.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Les Pavots is one of the most elegant and classy wines I have tasted from Peter Michael's Knights Valley estate. Deep, layered and substantial, the 2021 holds considerable promise. In most vintages, the Pavots is more aromatically expressive, but today it is quite closed. Dark red plum, mocha, spice, new leather and licorice all build in this embryonic Cabernet Sauvignon. In this tasting, the 2021 needed considerable decanting to show its textural breadth. It’s a gorgeous wine in every way.$1,402.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2018 Chardonnay Ma Belle-Fille is dense, powerful and tightly wound. I would give it a few years to come together. Ripe apricot, orange confit, baked apple tart and wild flowers infuse the 2018 with notable complexity to match its dense, packed personality.$175.00 -
(1x75cl) 2009Vinous (94+)
The 2009 Pinot Noir Ma Danseuse PMW Estate bursts from the glass with heady scents of dark cherries, baking spices and flowers. This is a more immediate, open style than the Caprice. Layers of expressive, perfumed fruit caress the palate in this flashy, totally gorgeous Pinot. The clones originate from two of the most famous vineyards in the Cote de Nuits.$212.00 -
(1x75cl) 2017Vinous (96)
The 2017 Pinot Noir Ma Danseuse is laced with sweet dark cherry, plum, spice, leather, tobacco, menthol and lavender that add to the wine's strong, brooding personality. Ample and virile in feel, Ma Danseus shows the more potent side of the Sonoma Coast to great effect. The 2017 is presently quite tannic, but another few years in bottle should do the trick.$198.00
