2019 Peter Michael ‘Au Paradis’ Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

JS99 Aromas of spice, ink, blackberries and currants. Very aromatic! Full-bodied, yet so tight and fresh with firm, velvety tannins. The beautiful center-palate of fruit is so enticing and the finish goes on for minutes. Coolness at the end with blue fruit. Stunning really. Give it time, if you can keep your hands off it. 76% cabernet sauvignon, 16% cabernet franc, and 8% merlot. Best after 2025.
WA96 In 2009, Peter Michael purchased the former Showket Vineyard in Oakville, on the hillside below Continuum and above Dalla Valle. That is the source for the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis, a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc and 8% Merlot. Matured in 60% new French oak, it’s a fairly forward, opulent wine, marked by scents of cigar box, tobacco, cassis, cherries and fine leather. Full-bodied, rich and velvety without being chocolaty or overdone, the lingering finish is—texturally—plush winter-weight flannel pajamas interwoven with complex, faintly herbal threads.
Estate Notes: The 2019 ‘Au Paradis’ displays a deep ruby hue in the glass, with a brilliant, aromatic array of black cherry, cassis, blackberry compote, and violets, accented with hints of graphite, cinnamon, and dark chocolate. On the palate, the round, mouth-filling entry showcases high-quality, fine-grained tannins with black tea and cocoa powder notes before giving way to a broad, structured, multilayered midpalate and resolving into a seamlessly elegant finish with great length. This classic ‘Au Paradis’ combines elegance with power. Approachable even in its youth, it will improve with five years to two decades of cellaring. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlotaging: 18 months in 100% French oak barrels from select artisan coopers.