Wines

96 Points! The aromas of dried flowers and peaches are very cool and delicate. In fact they are only just beginning to unfurl. Super-focused and salty on the very concentrated, medium-bodied palate. Barely off dry, also thanks to the gigantic minerality that powers the elegant steamroller that is the finish. Sustainable. Drinkable now, but best from 2027. - JamesSuckling.com

94-96 Points! The deep ruby/plum-colored 2012 Pinot Noir La Caprice (1,440 cases) reveals aromas of rose petals, strawberries, raspberries, black currants and a hint of blueberries. This gorgeously rich, potentially complex Pinot Noir should drink well for 10-15 years. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

97 Points! The 2016 Pinot Noir le Caprice is pale to medium ruby-purple colored with an incredible perfume of red roses, lilacs and cinnamon stick with a beautiful red berry core of wild strawberries, raspberries, cranberries and underbrush with touches of iron ore and wild sage plus a waft of cedar. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant and refreshing with loads of minerally layers and a long, uplifting finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com

96 Points! This label comes from Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, planted at 1,000-1,400 feet elevation to a “suitcase” clone on a soil type of clay with basalt rocks. Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2017 Pinot Noir le Caprice comes roaring out of the glass with pronounced redcurrants, warm cranberries and black cherries scents plus hints of violets, rhubarb and star anise with wafts of red roses, black tea and wild sage. Medium-bodied, the palate has a fantastic structure of firm, finely grained tannins with bold freshness supporting the incredibly energetic and expressive red berries and black cherries layers, finishing long and perfumed. Impressive! - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com

95-97 Points! I tasted the 2022 Pinot Noir Le Caprice from barrel shortly before it was due to be bottled. It has generous cranberry and red and black cherry on the nose, and as it spends time in the glass, it unfurls dramatically to tones of Angostura bitters, forest floor, fennel, iron, lavender and orange peel. The medium-bodied palate is structurally seamless, combining a silky texture and bright acidity. Its flavors shift continually, calling you back for another sip, and it has a very long, layered finish. - Erin Brooks, robertparker.com

97 Points! Hailing from Oakville, the 2019 Au Paradis is nuanced, with ripe redcurrant, fresh tobacco, and sweet baking spice. The palate is fully dry and has lift through its dark fruited profile. The midpalate is flush with roses and ripe red plum, giving way to a well-balanced, tannic structure. Drink 2024-2044. - Jeb Dunnuck

97 Points! Pouring an opaque red, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis is lush and refined with aromas of cassis, espresso, violets, and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied, this refined profile continues on the palate, with a ripe, velvety texture, fine tannins, and notes of black cherry liqueur and mocha, as well as floral oils that last long on the palate without feeling heavy. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

96 Points! The 2016 Chardonnay La Carrière comes from volcanic ash soils which aren't too common in Knights Valley. It offers terrific notes of white peach, white flowers, oyster shell and undeniable minerality. Medium to full-bodied, pure, and elegant, it has beautifully integrated acidity, a silky, classic texture, and a great finish. This is mostly Hyde clone. - Jeb Dunnuck

97 Points! The 2017 Chardonnay La Carriere is a rich, powerful style of Chardonnay, yet it stays vibrant and fresh, with terrific balance. Notes of orange blossom, pineapple, caramelized citrus, and white flowers, as well as a touch of minerality all, emerge from this full-bodied, multi-dimensional, layered beauty that's going to evolve for at least a decade. - Jeb Dunnuck

97+ Points! La Carriere is situated at an elevation of around 1,200-1,700 feet with a rocky, shallow, volcanic soil that gives low fertility and is among the lowest yields of all the Peter Michael vineyards. The vineyard is planted to Dijon and Hyde (Old Wente) clone selections. This 2018 Chardonnay la Carriere starts off very citrusy, leaping from the glass with notes of fresh limes and grapefruit, before coming through with alluring honey-drizzled peaches, fresh ginger and preserved kumquat notes. The medium to full-bodied palate is super-intense with beautiful tension lighting up a shimmering palate of citrus and mineral layers, finishing long and steely. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com

98 Points! The 2016 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille slowly unfurls in the glass to reveal vibrant key lime pie, lemongrass, pink grapefruit and white peaches scents with suggestions of crushed stones, clotted cream, almond croissant and orange blossoms. Medium to full-bodied and with a fantastic intensity of citrus and stone fruit layers giving way to loads of mineral accents, it finishes long and creamy. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com

96 Points! The 2019 Chardonnay Mon Plaisir from Knights Valley reveals a medium gold hue as well as beautiful golden delicious apple, white flowers, toasted bread, and almond paste-like nuances. It’s medium to full-bodied and has a layered, textured mouthfeel, nicely integrated acidity, and straight-up stunning length on the finish. It builds nicely with time in the glass and, if anything, was even better on the second day, so don't be afraid to give this some air. It will evolve for at least 8-10 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

96 Points! The 2009 Les Pavots, a 3,440-case blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, comes from Knights Valley. It exhibits a distinctive truffle, chocolate, blackberry and cassis-scented bouquet, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and fabulous concentration, purity and density. This magnificent effort’s open-knit style was surprising as most Northern California 2009s made from Bordeaux varietals are somewhat austere and closed at present. This wine should drink well for another two decades or more. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

96-98 Points! The 2012s made from Bordeaux varietals include their flagship wine, the 2012 Proprietary Red Les Pavots, a sensational blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. A prodigious effort, it rivals some of the fabulous past vintages such as 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2007. The inky/purple-colored 2012 boasts classic notes of crème de cassis, roasted coffee, vanilla bean, cedar, forest floor and blueberries. Full-bodied and complex with sweet tannin as well as hints of charcoal and camphor, this opulent, multi-leveled, Bordeaux-styled 2012 can be drunk now or cellared for 25-30+ years. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

97 Points! Intense aromas of plums, black truffles, bark and dark plums. Pine needles, too. Full-bodied, tight and polished. Extremely elegant and precise. The finish is very long and vertical. Compressed and refined. A beauty already. Drink in 2021 but already a joy to drink. - JamesSuckling.com

98+ Points! The 2015 Les Pavots checks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot and the balance Petit Verdot. It offers a huge nose of blackcurrants, blackberry, scorched earth, graphite, and cedarwood. Deep, rich, supple, and sexy, with a seamless, incredibly elegant texture, it builds with time in the glass and is a monumental Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Sonoma. - Jeb Dunnuck

97 Points! More minerality, graphite, and scorched earth notes emerge from the 2018 Les Pavots. Full-bodied and uber-concentrated, it reveals building tannins, awesome mid-palate depth, and one heck of a great finish. It's a serious, powerful, blockbuster beauty that also holds onto perfect balance and a beautiful sense of elegance. It will keep for two decades or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

97 Points! Love the sweet berries, black olives, tile and fresh herbs on the nose with floral undertones. Oyster shell, too. Full-bodied with round, creamy tannins that are beautifully polished and refined. Very long finish. All about finesse and wonderful length. 68% cabernet sauvignon, 19% cabernet franc, 10% merlot and 3% petit verdot. Drink after 2023. - JamesSuckling.com

97 Points! This is a powerful red with blackberry, black olive and a hint of mint. Some brown sugar, too. Full-bodied and dense, with lots of fruit and velvety, plush tannins. Crushed-stone and wet-earth character, too. The higher percentage of merlot (14%) and no cabernet franc makes this unique for Les Pavots. Give it three or four years to open. - JamesSuckling.com