Peter Michael "L'Apres-Midi" Sauvignon Blanc 2024
(Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California) -

About the Winery:
Founded by Sir Peter Michael in 1983 with a singular vision: to make wine in the terroir-driven tradition of Burgundy and Bordeaux, yet under the California sun and in California soil.
Peter Michael Winery owns three estates: Knights Valley, Seaview (Sonoma Coast), and Oakville (Napa Valley). All rest on steep hillsides ranging in elevation from 500 to nearly 2000 feet and are the only sources for Peter Michael's wines.

About the Wine:
'L’Après-Midi' (The Afternoon) was named in honor of the pleasures of a slow and lazy afternoon, which according to Sir Peter is a good time to start enjoying this wine. This is one of our two estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon blends. The grapes are grown alongside our red Bordeaux varietals within Les Pavots Vineyard, benefiting from the steep slopes, excellent drainage, and cool air at altitude. The wine is whole-cluster-pressed and then naturally fermented in a barrel, forgoing a second malolactic fermentation to preserve the fruity and zesty character of the Sauvignon Blanc. It is predominantly made from Sauvignon Blanc, with just a touch of Sémillon

Tasting Notes:
The lovely light yellow 2024 ‘L’Apres-Midi’ showcases an inviting blend of guava, white nectarine, fresh peach and lemon zest, framed with hints of white roses, jasmine and mango. A creamy entry and soft mouthfeel are balanced with juicy acidity and a generous body with impressive length and a clean finish. This is a classy Sauvignon blanc ready to be enjoyed this afternoon.

Vintage Notes:
Similar to 2023, the winter of 2024 saw significant rains from December through March with February being the rainiest month. Budbreak occurred on schedule and nearly ideal weather during bloom allowed for excellent fruit set in the Sauvignon blanc blocks. The growing season was exceptionally mild with very few days approaching 100F from July through September. Harvest for the Sauvignon blanc had a normal start date of September 5th and concluded on September 14th while the Sémillon was harvested from September 30th to October 4th. Overall, the growing season for whites was calm and temperate.

Winegrowing Notes:
The fruit for ‘L’Après-Midi’ 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 a barrel. No malolactic fermentation was conducted to preserve the fruity and zesty character of the Sauvignon Blanc. All lots were aged separately on their lies for nine months with gentle bâtonnage, then judiciously blended to compose the final cuvée.

Hand Harvested

September 5 to October 4

Bottled

May 9-12, 2025

Appellation(s)

Knights Valley

Vinification

100% naturally fermented using native yeasts. 100% barrel-fermented in French oak from select artisan coopers. Barrel-aged sur lies for eight months with gentle biweekly bâtonnage.

Release Date

September 1, 2025

Alcohol

15.3%

Blend

96% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Sémillon

Ratings & Reviews