2004 Peter Michael Les Pavots 95WS

The 2004 Les Pavots is ripe and is a relatively similar blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine exhibits notes of forest floor intermixed with chocolate, blueberry, blackberry, espresso, and spice. It is strikingly more tannic, and closed compared to the 2005, which is almost the reverse of the vintage character. There were only 2,000 cases produced of the 2004, which needs 2-3 years of bottle age and should drink well for 15+ years. This 121-acre estate with 114 producing acres of vineyard all located in Knights Valley continues to be at the top of their game and I cant recommend the wines highly enough.I was surprised when I showed up at Peter Michael to find both Nicolas Morlet, who replaced his brother Luc, and Luc Morlet himself, were at my tasting. It seems that Luc is still doing consulting work with his brother firmly entrenched at the winery. This is still one of the best-run wineries in the world.