2020 L'Esprit des Pavots

This is an exceptional set of new releases from Peter Michael. Winemaker Robert Fiore describes 2021 as a year with early budbreak caused by dry soils. Fruit set was affected by cool weather and some rain. Moderate weather during the summer months with no heat spikes allowed for long, steady ripening. Harvest took place from August 18 to September 20. The 2021 Chardonnays in particular are brilliant. Fiore gave the 2021s about 9 months in barrel, followed by 6-7 months in steel, except for the Cuvée Indigène and Point Rouge, which were aged entirely in barrel. The 2021 Pinots aren't too far behind, if at all. In fact, the 2021 Pinot Noirs are arguably the best I have tasted here, going back to the beginning. The 2021s spent 15 months in barrel (40-50% new), with no racking until bottling. A lighter hand with new oak really helps the wines shine. As always, the Pinots are fully destemmed. I also found plenty to like in the 2020 Bordeaux reds, wines from a far more challenging year.