Gorgeous, offering layers of rich, plush, dark berry, plum, blackberry, kirsch and fig paste, woven together with green olive and melted licorice. Full-blown, yet for all its depth and density it glides along on a smooth, tapered finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.—2001 California Cabernet blind retrospective (June 2011). Drink now through 2020. – JL

A spectacular Knight’s Valley proprietary red wine from Peter Michael, the 2001 Les Pavots performed brilliantly in the horizontal tasting I did in Napa Valley in late May. Its dense opaque blue/purple color is accompanied by notes of graphite, charcoal, burning embers, creme de cassis, licorice and chocolate fudge. Opulent and full-bodied with sweet tannin as well as low acidity, it is just beginning to strut its stuff and reveal secondary nuances. Approachable now, this full-bodied, multi-dimensional wine should continue to drink well for another two decades plus. - Robert Parker