Peter Michael

Peter Michael Au Paradis Oakville

California

Oakville

The 2020 Au Paradis is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, harvested in the second week of September and finishing September 25. Deep garnet-purple in color, it comes bounding out with exuberant notes of creme de cassis, redcurrant jelly, and juicy blackberries with hints of camphor, dark chocolate, and tar plus a waft of bay leaves. The full-bodied palate is concentrated yet bright and expressive, with bags of black and red berry flavors and bright mineral accents, supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long and lifted.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

As ever with Au Paradis, the intensity and muscular impact is turned up higher than Les Pavots. Dripping with damson, black cherry, cocoa bean and rich dark chocolate, intense spice and crushed graphite, you are right in the heart of Oakville Cabernet territory with this wine, supple but unmistakably tannic backbone, with a trace of heat on the finish. Confident and dramatic, it needs a few years in bottle. For me the 2019 is still the one to beat in recent vintages. 100% new oak, Luc Morlet consultant.

Inside Bordeaux

The 2021 Au Paradis is deep garnet-purple in color. After a little swirling, notes of warm cassis, blackberry preserves, and juicy blueberries jump from the glass, followed by hints of cedar chest, violets, and cumin seed with wafts of anise and tar. The full-bodied palate slowly builds into a powerful crescendo of black fruit, floral, and earthy flavors, supported by super-firm yet beautifully ripe tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing long and layered. Very impressive! The blend is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot. 1,344 cases were made.

A deeper, richer, more powerful wine than Les Pavots, as we head over the top of the mountain and down again into Napa. This has gorgeous grip, perfectly judged, bringing Sonoma sensibility into a prime Napa site. Packed with punch, juicy blackberry and black cherry fruit, impressively controlled, confident but not shouting to be heard. Excpetional quality, one to track down and celebrate after a few more years ageing. 100% new oak, bought in 2009 by Peter Michael, first vintage 2011.

This has definition, tension and a lift through the finish. Rich and deep in texture, with carefully placed black and blueberry fruits, liquorice, mint, slate and tobacco, with a savoury spice finish. A ton of pleasure to be had here, with nuance and complexity although I would suggest looking to Les Pavots to really capture the Peter Michael style. Bottled unfined and unfiltered

2021	No priceNot available	Extraordinary
2020	No priceNot available	Outstanding
2019	No priceAvailable	Extraordinary
2018	No priceAvailable	Outstanding
2014	No priceNot available	Extraordinary

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Peter Michael
Vintages	2020
Country	US, California, Oakville
Bottle	75 cl

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