The 2001 growing season began with the coldest spring frosts in winery history, which lowered yields by more than 1/3. A hot May and June followed allowing the vines to “catch up.” By August the weather evened out and a moderate, dry and sunny September and October brought slow sugar development, small berry size and great concentrations of flavor.

Ideal October weather obliged a relaxed and precise harvest. As individual vine rows within the Les Pavots vineyard attained peak maturity the fruit was hand picked in the cool of morning and brought down the mountain to the winery. The clusters were sorted by hand before destemming and individual berries were sorted before going to tank. In tank, each lot was cold soaked for almost four days before fermentation (100% natural yeast). Traditional Bordeaux vinification yielded intense color extraction and soft, round tannins. Our 2001 Les Pavots was aged in small French oak barrels for 14 months and bottled without fining or filtration. After being bottled in July 2003, this wine was aged another 9 months before release.

Fully saturated with ruby color, the 2001 Les Pavots reveals a gorgeous and intense bouquet of blueberry, blackberry, lavender, violet, black licorice and espresso coffee interspersed with nuances of tobacco (cigar box) and earthy notes (graphite). Rich and full bodied, this wine offers the same ripe fruit impressions on the palate accentuated by rich silky tannins and an impressively long finish. The 2001 Les Pavots is ready for near-term enjoyment yet has the richness, extract and structure to age gracefully for well over a decade.

Les Pavots Vineyard Notes
2002 Vintage
2000 Vintage