Every one of our wines, regardless of varietal, is stamped with the image of a California poppy as an affectionate tribute to the orange flowers that covered the hillsides when Sir Peter first stood on this land. Many vineyards have roses planted at the end of the vineyard rows. We have wild poppies throughout.
Les Pavots is our flagship blend, and the wine Sir Peter had in his mind’s eye when he started his search for a vineyard site in 1976. It is made from grapes grown in the vineyard of the same name on our home estate. While the blend varies from vintage to vintage, it is typically two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, with the remainder roughly equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and a final soupçon of Petit Verdot. We enjoy this refined Cabernet blend with its signature blueberry notes, hint of herbs de Provence and its wonderful expression of the full spectrum of red Bordeaux varietals.
Tasting Notes:
Deep ruby in color with a red-purple rim, the 2018 ‘Les Pavots’ reveals a sophisticated bouquet of freshly blossomed violets and sweet tones of blueberry and boysenberry synchronizing with native, wild garrique and crushed-stone minerality. Full-bodied and elegant, the wine offers a lavish array of fl avors: blackberry pie and Albion strawberries contrast savory notes of tobacco and cigar box. Hints of cedar, vanilla bean, and black pepper lead to a long, well-structured finish. Approachable in its youth, Les Pavots provides an exemplary representation of our winery estate terroir and will continue to evolve graciously for two decades.