98

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis is a superb wine off this highly regarded Oakville site. Black fruit, mocha, chocolate, new leather and exotic spice fill out the layers. The 2023 exudes striking intensity in every dimension. There's a lot of tannin, but also more than enough fruit to pull it all together. The 2023 Au Paradis is quite simply tremendous. 06/2026

97

Erin Brooks

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

Grapes for the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis were harvested from October 11 to November 4—the first time Peter Michael’s Oakville property has ever been picked in November, which is more than a full month later than the harvest in 2022. Blended with 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot, it has arresting aromas of cassis, blackcurrant bud, tobacco, star anise, dark chocolate, cast iron and violet, and it continues to reveal additional nuances as it spends time in the glass. Although the full-bodied palate is coiled at this stage, it has a highly refined structure with luxurious, powdery tannins and bright, focused acidity that corsets its dark, mineral-laced flavors. Its alcohol and oak are seamlessly integrated, and it has a very long, alluringly ferrous finish. It will be long lived in the cellar. 1,974 cases were made and will be released in September 2026. 02/2026

98

Audrey Frick

Jeb Dunnuck

Coming from the Oakville Estate, the 2023 Au Paradis is the deepest, most inky black/purple color, and it’s noted with eucalyptus, black cherries, cassis, blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, and fresh pressed flowers. The 1983-planted Cabernet Franc block that contributes fruit to this cuvée plays a really important role in the aromatic profile for me, and I love the bright mineral lift and focus this wine has, with more clarity overall. Full-bodied, it has good acidity and more focus for me, with more even tannins, and again it doesn’t feel hot, which is very appealing. Drink over the coming 20 or more years. Drink 2027-2050. 03/2026

98

Jane Anson

Inside Bordeaux

Balanced, with depth and character, bilberry, blueberry, cassis, capturing fragrant dried spices and smoked tea leaves. The mountain site comes through in spades, and keeps you engaged through its long drawn out finish. Robert Fiore winemaker, Paul Michael now the 2nd generation owner. 07/2026

97

Colin Hay

The Drinks Business

Floral too, but less Cabernet Franc in its florality in a way. Tasted blind, you might expect to find more Merlot in the blend than there is (but I suspect that’s a deception, in that the florality here probably comes more from the terroir than the varietal composition of the blend). Creamy, glossy, ample and quite radiantly pure in its verticality. Bramble and blueberry, cassis and red cherry. This is denser and more compact than Les Pavots, with a greater sense of profundity and depth though the same finegrained tannins and sheer luxuriant quality to the mouthfeel. Grace and charm and here a little more power and heft. I actually like that a little less, but that’s a question of taste rather than of quality per se. 97+. 08/2026