2020 Peter Michael - Les Pavots

James Suckling - 97

This is a powerful red with blackberry, black olive and a hint of mint. Some brown sugar, too. Full-bodied and dense, with lots of fruit and velvety, plush tannins. Crushed-stone and wet-earth character, too. The higher percentage of merlot (14%) and no cabernet franc makes this unique for Les Pavots. Give it three or four years to open.

Robert Parker - 95

The 2020 Les Pavots is made up of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 3% Petite Verdot and includes fruit from some of the oldest vines at Peter Michael, planted in 1989. Unusually, there is no Cabernet Franc in the blend this vintage, as it was affected by the wildfire smoke. Deep ruby-purple in color, it is shy to begin, taking time to reveal pure red plums, chocolate, graphite, green bell pepper and tobacco leaves. The medium-bodied palate offers generous, alluringly herbal fruits, a luxurious, silky frame and seamless acidity, finishing long and latent. It develops dramatically in the glass, suggesting it will require a few hours in the decanter to show at its best. 1,910 cases were made; this will be released in February of 2023.

The Wine Independent - 95

The 2020 Les Pavots, a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, is deep garnet-purple in color. Notions of plum preserves, creme de cassis, and fruitcake slowly emerge with swirling, leading to hints of pencil lead, charcoal, and garrigue. The full-bodied palate has firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness to support the rich, generous fruit, finishing with a peppery lift.

Jeb Dunnuck - 95

The 2020 Les Pavots is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and pours an inky red. It reveals a wonderful herbaceous profile of forest herbs, with a more mountainous feel and aromas of pine, menthol, ripe black cherry, and cedar. Full-bodied and more muscularly structured, with dark earth, turned forest floor, blackberry, and tea leaf, the tannins on the finish feel a touch drying at this stage but balanced out with sweet fruit to cushion it. Drink 2025-2040.

Vinous - 93

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Les Pavots is a delicate, understated wine. The 2020 shows a bit less mid-palate density than in most years, but its balance is impeccable. Dried flowers, spice, leather, tobacco and incense are all nicely layered in this attractive, mid-weight Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The blend is, unusually, high in Cabernet Sauvignon and low in both Merlot and Cabernet Franc because of the stringent selection required in 2020.