A Night of Peter Michael Wines at The Black Pearl: A First Look and Exclusive Pairing Experience

Last Tuesday, I had the pleasure of attending a special wine tasting and dinner celebrating Peter Michael Winery at The Black Pearl, an intimate venue that is slated to formally open on March 6. This wasn’t just any dinner: It was a meticulously coordinated experience highlighting some of the most premium vintages of Peter Michael Winery when paired with an admirable menu to boot.

A brief intro to Peter Michael Winery

Peter Michael Winery is a highly regarded, family-run estate known for its focus on Bordeaux- and Burgundy-style wines made in California. Founded in 1982 by Sir Peter Michael, the winery is in Knights Valley in Sonoma County, with additional vineyards in Napa Valley. Far from endless prairie flatlands, the winery has sustainable farming at its core and most of its land is given over to a nature preserve, with a focus on being in balance with nature.

What distinguishes Peter Michael Winery is its scrupulous attention to the craft of winemaking, a combination of Old World philosophies with novel techniques. From hand-picking the grapes to the selection of the French oak barrels, each detail is attended to with the purpose of achieving cogency and sophistication for each vintage. Its famed wines, such as Les Pavots and Au Paradis, have earned accolades that have established the winery as a leader in producing glimmering, agable wines craved by collectors and fans across the glo

A Prelude to the Evening – Wine Tasting with Morgan Melkonian

It all began with a Trade tasting led by Peter Michael Winery’s Global Sales Director Morgan Melkonian. Tasting through the several vintages of Au Paradis and Les Pavots, it was no wonder that Peter Michael Winery remains beloved among wine aficionados.

The Stars of the Tasting

The 2019 Au Paradis stood out among them. The bouquet itself was brutally expressive, attuned to its palate—what an absolute star vintage. The 2021 did quite well, showing off its youthful vibrancy. However, the 2020 vintage did not quite work for me; it lacked the complexity and the harmony of its siblings.

Morgan offered a brief glimpse into the meticulous winemaking at Peter Michael Winery:

“We’ve never changed the style. What we’ve done is kind of impressed upon things that could make it better. But by that, I don’t mean that a winemaker came in and made some drastic change.What we’ve done is fine-tune it — changing things like vine orientation, oak selection, and replanting if necessary. Consistency is always the goal.”

Sustainability is another key tenet of the winery’s philosophy:

“Our vineyards are primarily nature preserves. We do everything we can to stay in goodwill with the land.”

By the end of the tasting, about two-thirds of the room leaned towards Au Paradis—though as Morgan put it:

“We could have this tasting with all of you tomorrow, and it could be the opposite. Wherever I go, it’s always a toss-up.”

Following the tasting, it was time to head to The Black Pearl for the Wine Dinner that promised to be just as fabulous.

Exclusive Dinner at The Black Pearl

Dinner started off with a Champagne Devaux, Coeur des Bars, Blanc de Noirs — the opening act for an over-the-top night.

Both 2021 vintages of Les Pavots and Au Paradis were poured on their own, unpaired. It gave guests an opportunity to appreciate the wines in their entirety before they moved into the pairings — a considerate way to introduce the night’s lineup. The 2015s of both wines were then presented mid-way during the dinner—they were stunning—putting the 2019 Au Paradis into a proper perspective.

Reflections on the Night

The wines were indisputably the stars of the show — the 2019 and 2015 vintages particularly, which cut through with sublime depth and balance. Each vintage featured came with its own personality:

2019 Au Paradis: The star, beautifully structured, a seamless bouquet-through-palate experience.

2021 Au Paradis & Les Pavots: Young but already full of promise.

2020 Au Paradis: Too meager by half next to the others.

2015 Au Paradis & Les Pavots: Wonderful. These were the vintages that made the biggest impression.

As for the food itself, The Black Pearl’s chef has a more experimental bent, with fine-dining portions and intricate plating. Some pairings were spot-on, and others fueled debate — such as the spicy Hot & Sour Soup with Au Paradis 2018. I’d personally say it worked, although the spice seemed to outlast the wine.

“Great wine should tell a story, and Peter Michael’s vintages narrate decades of passion and refinement.”

The Black Pearl will officially open on March 6, and from this exclusive preview, it’s easy to see why it should be one of Singapore’s dining destinations to beat.

Final Thoughts

This was more than a dinner experience; it was a taste of exceptional wines and a bold new restaurant. Going by this preview, The Black Pearl is going to be making serious waves in Singapore’s fine dining scene.

For thirsty souls, eager to taste Peter Michaels, the experience was a glimpse into the artistry, craftsmanship and meticulous attention that go into each bottle. Whether enjoyed solo or alongside a well-crafted dish, these wines only continue to show why they remain some of the most requested around the world.

Raise a toast to great wines, memorable flavors, and fresh dining adventures!

🍷

_{These series of events are organized by Wine Clique. For bottle purchase and/or allocations, please email them at [email protected].}