Les Pavots 2014, 75 cl

Grown on the slopes of Mount St. Helena in Knights Valley, the distinctive aromas and flavors of our own blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot clearly reflect their mountain origins. The rocky, rhyolitic soils, formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago, impart a mineral character and contribute to the wine's complexity. Les Pavots covers 46 hectares and rises to an elevation of nearly 1,400 feet. Merlot and Cabernet Franc grow on the cool upper slopes, with Cabernet Sauvignon just below. The nose offers an intense bouquet of cocoa powder, potpourri, black cherry, blueberry, and licorice, with hints of cedar, cigar box, black tea, graphite, vanilla, black truffle, and a touch of garrigue. The wine is very full-bodied and elegant, delivering the same rich, ripe fruit flavors on the palate. The mouthfeel is dense and round, with supple tannins and earthy notes that lead into a long finish. A complex wine that can age for two decades and classically showcases the estate's terroir.