2004 Peter Michael “Les Pavots” 1993 Neibauman-Coppola Rubicon

Peter Michael

Robert Parker 92-94

The Morlets decided to keep the 2004 Les Pavots (a 150-case blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot) in barrel longer than usual. While it may not be one of the finest examples of this cuvée, it is a stunning wine displaying an opaque purple color along with notes of blueberries, cedar, licorice, dried herbs, pepper, and sweet, smoky oak. Full-bodied with superb texture and richness as well as abundant, but sweet, well- integrated tannin, it should evolve for 15 or more years.

Wine Spectator 94

Shows complex aromas of dried currant, sage, anise and cedary oak.Very dense, balanced and concentrated on the palate, with a tight focus on the loamy currant flavors. Ends with firm, chewy tannins, but the fruit pushes through. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 93

Deep ruby. Sexy blackcurrant and boysenberry aromas with complicating tobacco and espresso tones. Lush and sweet, with dark fruit flavors, full body and dense, chewy tannins providing support.Turns silky with air, picking up more energetic red fruit tones and a light suggestion of iron. Finishes suave, focused and long, the blackcurrant note repeating. Luc Morlet compares this to the 2001 version.

Rubicon Robert Parker Wine Advocate 92 Points The deep dark, ruby/purple-colored 1993 Rubicon (3,021 cases) possesses the softest tannin of the 1991, 1992 and 1993 vintages (atypical for the vintage), as well as a plum, cherry, and cassis-scented nose, with obvious spicy oak and earthy notes. Dense, full-bodied, powerful, harmoniousflavorsexhibitfineripenessandlength. Thetanninispresent,butitplaysamore supplerolethaninthe1991,ortoalesserextent,the1992. Thiswineshoulddrinkwellfor15- 20years. TherehavebeennumerouschangesandrefinementstothestyleofNiebaum- Coppola's proprietary red wine, Rubicon. Over a decade ago I wrote that this was a wine that acted as if it wanted to be an old-fashioned Barolo, with its rustic tannin and abrasive flavor profile. Thathasallchangedinthenineties,asthewinehasbeguntotakeonamoresupple texture, with less aggressive tannin, and a flavorful but more complete and elegant personality. Theblendhasgraduallyincreasedtoover90%CabernetSauvignon. Thewineisagedin

30small French oak casks for two years, of which approximately 50% is new.There is no fining, but the wine is sterile filtered at bottling. Looking at vintages 1991 through 1994, each subsequent vintage seems to possess more intensity and character, with increasingly softer tannin."