LIMITED QUANTITY. In 1982, after six years of searching for land to serve as both vineyard and family retreat, Sir Peter Michael and Lady Michael purchased 630 acres of volcanic ridges on the western face of Mount St. Helena in Knights Valley. As an avid collector of the wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy, he set out to create his vision of a mountain-grown, California Cabernet Sauvignon wine that would show authentic terroir, and rival even his favorite wines from home.
In pursuit of Sir Peter’s "100 by 100" vision : 100% family ownership for at least 100 years, the family hired like-minded viticulturists and winemakers to help them create terroir-driven wines that would stand the test of time.
In 1988, the first harvest of ‘Les Pavots’ (“The Poppies” - named in honor of the Golden State’s California flower) was released, showcasing a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot from the Knights Valley Estate Les Pavots Vineyard, which is rooted in the volcanic rich soils of Mount St Helena and reaches elevations of 1,400’.
It wasn’t until 2009 that the family acquired the 26 acres Oakville Estate, featuring the acclaimed iron-rich, red-dirt soils to produce their first Napa Valley wine, ‘Au Paradis’ Estate Cabernet Sauvignon after spending two years improving this already exceptionnal property before making their first vintage.
Today, with the support of son, Paul, and Paul's wife Emily, the Peter Michael winery still adheres to its original founding principles of mountain vineyards, classical winemaking, and limited production.
Blend :
• 76% - Cabernet Sauvignon
• 13% - Merlot
• 11% - Cabernet Franc
Coming from Oakville, the 2018 Au Paradis gives up a deep ruby/purple hue as well as full-bodied aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, green tobacco, lead pencil, sandalwood, and dried flowers. Flawlessly balanced, full-bodied, with silky yet present tannins, it's one of those elegant, seamless wines that surprise you with its richness and depth. It reminds me of a great vintage from Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou and is a brilliant, elegant, complex Cabernet that will evolve for two decades or more. 98/100, Jeb Dunnuck
Gorgeous aromas of currants, blackberries, sweet tobacco and violets follow through to a full body with round, finely chewy tannins and a gorgeous finish of fruit, iodine and graphite. But always pretty fruit there. 76% cabernet sauvignon, 13% merlot and 11% cabernet franc. Better after 2024. 98/100, James Suckling
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis, from Peter Michael's parcel in the hills of Eastern Oakville, is one of the successes of this trying vintage. Red cherry jam, game, smoke, licorice, spice and incense all meld together effortlessly. This is an especially refined wine for a sector in Oakville that seems to lean more naturally towards power. The 2017 spent 18 months in Darnajou barrels, 50% new. I would prefer to cellar the 2017 for a few years, but if enjoyed young, several hours of aeration will do wonders. 95/100, Antonio Galloni
Peter Michael’s Au Paradis vineyard is composed of the red, rocky, volcanic soils common to parts of Pritchard Hill, which makes sense since it is located in Oakville foothills, below Continuum and above Dalla Valle. Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis sashays out of the glass with gorgeous notes of kirsch, cassis and redcurrant jelly, plus suggestions of garrigue, clove oil, lavender and spearmint with a touch of cast-iron pan. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with bright, crunchy black fruit flavors, lifted by herbal and red fruit sparks and textured with firm, grainy tannins, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. 2,171 cases were made. 95/100, Lisa Perrotti-Brown
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