DAOU Vineyards

DAOU Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

US, California

2022

DAOU Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 is made from a special selection from top vineyard blocks that showcase Paso Robles as a world-class region for Bordeaux varieties. The grapes were hand harvested at peak physiological ripeness, and the wine spent 18 months in French oak, creating a rich and powerful expression of cabernet with heady black fruit flavours. Devour it with a pastrami sandwich.

DAOU's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is rooted in the high‑elevation terroir of DAOU Mountain in Paso Robles' Adelaida District, where calcareous clay soils and a Pacific‑buffered climate offer conditions comparable to Bordeaux's Right Bank.

Brothers Georges and Daniel Daou established the estate in 2007 after identifying this 2,200-2,300 ft promontory as ideal for cabernet sauvignon. The Reserve bottling typically reflects this terroir through naturally high phenolic development, deep colour and structured tannins – attributes the estate achieves without acidification due to the site's innate balance.

Winemaking focuses on meticulous hand‑harvesting, small‑lot fermentation and ageing in high‑quality French oak to enhance texture and aromatic depth. The result is a cabernet that marries Paso Robles' richness with tension and precision, aligned with DAOU's aim to craft world‑class Bordeaux‑style wines from the Central Coast.

Tasting
NOTES

One sniff and we're in cabernet territory here with intense aromas of black cherry, black currant, blackberry, dark plums and eucalyptus. On the palate the luscious ripe black fruit is nicely balanced with a slightly savoury element, with flavours of rosemary and charred oak come to the fore. The tannins are structured but supple and there's a pleasing freshness running through the wine, which finishes with sweet spice flavours of vanilla, cloves and cinnamon.