The Daou portfolio of wines boasts several world-class Bordeaux-styled blends made from Paso Robles fruit in California. With the Daou Estate in the Adelaida AVA, the wines are an accurate reflection of their terroir of Paso Robles, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and modern winemaking precision, making them premium expressions that can rival almost anything produced in the more famous Napa Valley and Sonoma County.
As pioneers in Paso Robles, Georges and Daniel Daou thrived in adversity, following a journey that led them to a rugged mountain in Paso Robles. Where others saw an impossible challenge, they saw potential, fuelled by their past and driven by an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, they transformed Daou Mountain into one of the finest wine estates in California. Soul of a Lion is their testament to the power of perseverance. Inspired by the vineyards of Bordeaux, they envisioned producing a wine that would rival the greatest in the world. A wine of power, elegance, and precision – a vision that is perfectly encapsulated with their Soul of a Lion cuvee made from fruit grown in the Adelaida AVA in Paso Robles, which is rich with limestone soils and tempered by cooling coastal breezes.
The 2022 is now their current release and I recently took this premium cuvee for a test drive.
Daou Vineyards Soul of a Lion Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Adelaida District, Paso Robles, 15.2% Abv.
This attractive new release from Daou Estate is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot that was aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Fabulously dense, full and intensely concentrated, the aromatics show intricate notes of violets, mulberries, ripe black currants, black cherry compote and subtle salty black liquorice nuances. In the mouth, the wine is incredibly plush, silky textured and fleshy, revealing a deliciously sweet fruited core with layers of black cherry liquor, aniseed, salted liquorice and black plum fruits with a gentle dusting of cocoa and vanilla pod spice. Unapologetically opulent and hedonistic in style, the wine retains a classical composure with power, balance and generosity. Drink now to 2035+.
(Wine Safari Score: 95/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
What price in UK, Greg for such hedonistic pleasure?
The Reserve Cab seems to start around £75 pb and the Soul of a Lion Cuvee 2021/22 around £150pb.
Thank you, Greg. Can’t justify £150 for a bottle of red wine, however good, when I can buy Meerlust Rubicon 2017 in SA for £35!
Californian wines operate by their own pricing rules. Best value still comes from SA!! Try the Rubicon 2022… also rated 95/100 and only £35 a bottle in UK.