2014 Sauvignon Blanc l'Apres Midi
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Tasting notes
95% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon . Tasted blind. Dark straw. This jumps out of the glass. Really fascinating layered flavours with lots of nuance and a real grip on the palate. Masses of extract and a bit of alcohol but not so much that the finish is hot. Really interesting wine, in contrast to the previous wine of this pair tasted blind (Ch Smith Haut Lafitte 2017). Great balance even though it seems to be from a hot vintage (actually, once the identity of the wine was revealed, from a hot place!). A Sauvignon with real staying power. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2014 Sauvignon Blanc L'Après-Midi, which is often so appealing in its youth, is quite closed today. The 2014 is a decidedly powerful almost phenolic wine today. There is plenty of fruit and phenolic intensity, but the aromatics are quite muted. Only with considerable time in the glass does the 2014 start to truly open up. I would give the wine at least another year in bottle to come together. Readers should expect a powerful Sauvignon Blanc meant for the dinner table.
When I was tasting at Peter Michael, the intermezzo, so to speak, was their exquisite 2014 Sauvignon Blanc l'Après Midi, which is 95% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Semillon. They make a good bit of this (2,810 cases), and this has always been one of the reference points in Northern California for Sauvignon. Loads of almost Loire Valley-like honeydew melons, fig and caramelized citrus jump from the glass of this fresh, medium-bodied, beautifully fruity and intense wine, which shows great purity and is once again a terrific success. This wine tends to age much better than most people think, but I'm still a believer in drinking it during its first 2-3 years of life.
The 2014 Sauvignon Blanc L'Après-Midi, which is often so appealing in its youth, is quite closed today. The 2014 is a decidedly powerful almost phenolic wine today. There is plenty of fruit and phenolic intensity, but the aromatics are quite muted. Only with considerable time in the glass does the 2014 start to truly open up. I would give the wine at least another year in bottle to come together. Readers should expect a powerful Sauvignon Blanc meant for the dinner table. Aug 2016, www.vinous.com, Drink: 2016-2022
About the producer
Founded in 1983 by Sir Peter Michael CBE and his wife Margaret, Peter Michael Winery produces some of California’s finest wines.