Peter Michael "L'Esprit des Pavots" Estate Red 2022
(Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California) - [JD 95] [JS 94] [WA 93] [VM 92]

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 this Wine:

Vintage Notes
Knights Valley, Sonoma: The combination of continued drought conditions with less rain than usual and mild winter temperatures prompted an early budbreak in the spring of 2022. The subsequent flowering period was also early and took place during uneven weather which resulted in less fruit setting and noticeably small clusters. A moderate July was followed by a series of heat events in August, then record high temperatures in early September. After the heat came light rains then cooler temperatures, the last half of September and into October. Harvest started slightly early but had a normal mid-October finish date.

Oakville, Napa: Continuing the drought from 2020 and 2021 with another winter of low rainfall in 2022, the drier soils and warm February and March temperatures brought on budbreak early which carried through to early flowering, fruit set and veraison. The weather during bloom was fairly steady and yields were only slightly below average, mainly due to smaller berries and clusters. Overall, the summer was cooler than 2021 but a prolonged heat event occurred in early September, condensing the harvest window to eight days, finishing on September 17th.

Winegrowing Notes
‘L’Esprit des Pavots’ is French for as “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 remains a true expression of the Peter Michael style—balanced, elegant, and age-worthy.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The saturated garnet 2022 ‘L’Esprit des Pavots’ features an intense nose of cassis, black cherry, ripe plum and blackberries with hints of black olive, black tea and baking spices. The soft, supple entry and round generous tannins combine for a plush mouthfeel and elegant finish. This is a fleshy vintage of ‘L’Esprit des Pavots’ which can be approached in its early years but will continue to expand with age.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The deep ruby/magenta-colored 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon L'Esprit Des Pavots is a blend of Knights Valley and Oakville, and it’s fruity upfront with a ripe, floral perfume of purple flowers, violets, blackberries, and blueberries. The palate is full, with ripe tannins, and it retains good freshness despite the heat of this vintage. It offers more immediate appeal and has a more pliant and rounded structure. Drink 2026-2040." - Audrey Frick (Jul 2025)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"This delicious, almost sweet Bordeaux-style red blend entices with red cherries, strawberries and spearmint on a silky, lightly tannic frame. It's easy to sip, indulgent in ripe fruit, cream and chocolate mint flavors. Soft tannins make it enjoyable now. Drink now or hold." (Jul 2025)

93 Points - Wine Advocate: 
"The 2022 L'Esprit des Pavots contains 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot (47% of the fruit comes from Knights Valley in Sonoma County and 53% of the fruit comes from Oakville in Napa County). It has pure aromas of black cherries, blueberries, savory herbs, graphite and violet. The full-bodied palate is ripe and concentrated with fine-grained tannins, mouthwatering acidity and a long, perfumed finish. A total of 1,681 cases were made, and the wine will be released in September of 2025." - Erin Brooks (Mar 2025)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 L'Esprit des Pavots is absolutely gorgeous. Bold, juicy and forward, the 2022 is such a charmer. A blast of super-ripe dark red cherry fruit, mocha, truffle, spice, new leather, licorice and new oak makes a strong opening statement. In many vintages, L'Esprit is more aromatic and savory, but the 2022 is all about fruit. The blend is 53% Au Paradis and 47% Les Pavots. (Drink between 2025-2030)" - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2025)