Michael, Peter - Les Pavots Proprietary Red 2012

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "he 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."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This has great density with a firm and silky texture that caresses your palate, giving layers of mouthfeel. It shows so much, yet has subtle grilled meat, black truffles and dark fruits. Sous bois gives a mushroom and cedar character. Long finish. So gorgeous now but much better in 2017."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "There are those nights when a steak grilled rare calls out for a young, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon and this was one of those nights. Deep in color, after the initial espresso and vanilla oak notes subside, a range of black of fruit appears, along with licorice, smoke and wet earth. Full bodied, rich, fat, round and long, the savory, sweet fruits in the end pack a punch. The wine was made from a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. i still have some early vintages of Les Pavots from 1994 in my cellar, based on how well those have aged, I suspect this will last even longer."

WINE SPECTATOR: "A strikingly complex and well-structured effort, with a tight frame around the taut dark berry, mineral, spice, cedary oak, forest floor, cassis and wild berry flavors. All in all, this is a remarkably flavorful and focused effort. Ends with ripe, chewy tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2030. 3,600 cases made."