Peter Michael - Au Paradis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (750ml)
Price: $229.99
| Producer | Peter Michael |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| Subregion | Oakville |
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Sku | 4371 |
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Peter Michael Description
Located in the heart of Oakville’s famous “red dirt”, we purchased our Au Paradis in 2009. We spent two years improving this already exceptional property before making our first vintage. The wine is at least 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc and Merlot making up the remainder (planted in 1984 & 2007).
This wine, and the vineyard from which it is sourced, was inadvertently named by Paul and Emily’s youngest son who, during a family campout at age five, awoke to the iconic Northern California view of a blanket of fog spread beneath their mountaintop campsite.
“He woke us up and asked if we were in heaven. The view below was indeed so beautiful we almost didn’t mind that it was very, very early, especially because the perfect name for the newest vineyard had at last been found.”
– Emily Michael
James Suckling: 98 Points
Gorgeous aromas of currants, blackberries, sweet tobacco and violets follow through to a full body with round, finely chewy tannins and a gorgeous finish of fruit, iodine and graphite. But always pretty fruit there. 76% cabernet sauvignon, 13% merlot and 11% cabernet franc. Better after 2024.
Wine Spectator: 96 Points
Rich and enveloping in feel, with very caressing waves of mulled plum, warmed cassis and steeped blackberry fruit rolling through, with light sassafras, sweet bay leaf and singed apple wood hints peeking in through the finish. Ends with a subtle echo of menthol at the very end.
Vinous: 96 Points
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis is delicate, understated, and super-classy. Bright red-toned fruit, flowers, and spice are finely delineated, but what impresses most about the Au Paradis is its elegant, finessed personality, especially compared to the first few vintages here and the generally powerful wines that are typically found in this sector of Oakville. The 2018 is vibrant and beautifully perfumed from start to finish. I can't wait to see how it ages.
Wine Advocate: 95 Points
Peter Michael’s Au Paradis vineyard is composed of the red, rocky, volcanic soils common to parts of Pritchard Hill, which makes sense since it is located in Oakville foothills, below Continuum and above Dalla Valle. Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis sashays out of the glass with gorgeous notes of kirsch, cassis and redcurrant jelly, plus suggestions of garrigue, clove oil, lavender and spearmint with a touch of cast-iron pan. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with bright, crunchy black fruit flavors, lifted by herbal and red fruit sparks and textured with firm, grainy tannins, finishing on a lingering ferrous note.
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