Peter Michael Winery Peter Michael Winery 'Au Paradis' 2020 750ml

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. Drink 2025–2045. (Audrey Frick)

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. (Audrey Frick)

This is a beautiful wine with juicy fruit. Tile and iron undertones add an iodine note. Medium to full body and round tannins. Fresh and flavorful. Very pretty length and intensity. Hints of spice, stone and walnuts. Elegant and beautiful. Tight and structured. Drink or hold. Better after 2023.

Blended with 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis comes from a vineyard in Oakville near Dalla Valle, around 500-600 feet in elevation. It has a deep ruby-purple color and opens slowly to warm black plums, graphite and grilled peppers with wafts of cedar, chocolate and soy. The full-bodied palate offers plenty of freshness to support its concentrated, ripe fruit. It boasts generous, powdery tannins, alluring floral tones and a long, layered finish. Ripe yet balanced, it’s approachable right now. 1,401 cases were made, and it will be released in July of 2023.

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.

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis, from Peter Michael’s parcel in the hills of Eastern Oakville, is one of the successes of this trying vintage. Red cherry jam, game, smoke, licorice, spice and incense all meld together effortlessly. This is an especially refined wine for a sector in Oakville that seems to lean more naturally towards power. The 2017 spent 18 months in Darnajou barrels, 50% new. I would prefer to cellar the 2017 for a few years, but if enjoyed young, several hours of aeration will do wonders. (Antonio Galloni)

This is a very refined and polished red, with redcurrant and spice, as well as black-pepper and flint undertones. It’s medium-bodied with refined tannins and a fresh, silky finish. All about finesse and polish. Drinkable now, but better after 2024. (James Suckling)

Juicy and winey, with a terrific core of ripe blackberry and warmed cassis flavors, laced with licorice root, sage and loam notes. Drives nicely through the finish, showing a touch of polish along the edges as the fruit ripples along. Best from 2022 through 2037. 1,450 cases made. (James Molesworth)

Solidly built, with a core of steeped plum and black currant flavors rolled up in loam, sweet tobacco and menthol notes. The dark earth side tumbles with the fruit through the finish with youthful power, leaving a muscular impression now, though this should unfold steadily and gain more nuance in the cellar. Best from 2023 through 2036. 1,917 cases made. (James Molesworth)

Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cabernet Franc coming from Oakville AVA, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis reveals a deep garnet-purple color and charges out of the gate with expressive notes of warm cassis, plum preserves and wild blueberries with hints chocolate mint, candied violets, black loam, truffles and charcuterie. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers bags of juicy fruit with great freshness and solid, ripe, grainy tannins, finishing with laudable purity. 1,450 cases were made.

Forward, with a wave of crushed blueberry, açaí and blackberry fruit flavors that dominate the character, while touches of loam, licorice root and tobacco fill in on the broad, slightly grainy finish. Best from 2024 through 2034. 1,401 cases made. (James Molesworth)