DAOU Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 80.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.5% Petit Verdot, 7.8% Merlot, 0.3% Cabernet Franc.
The 2021 DAOU Discovery Cabernet Sauvignon presents a deep ruby-purple color, foreshadowing intense aromas of cherry and blackberry jam complemented by dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, and desert sage. The nose also reveals secondary nuances of wet gravel, sandalwood, and plum pudding with subtle notes of fennel, black olive and eucalyptus. On the palate, a swirl of black raspberry, pomegranate, cherry preserve, and Zante currant melds seamlessly with crushed herbs, fig and cranberry. An impeccably balanced finish flows effortlessly from the juicy mid palate, leaving lovely notes of boysenberry, rhubarb, graphite, and dried thyme. Blend:
Wine Production: 100% whole bunches undergo a natural yeast fermentation. The wine is then left on lees for a year, with just one handling into the blending tank before bottling. A small amount of Sulphur is added at this point. Wines are bottled without fining or filtration.
Tasting Notes: Spicy and stalky, it has the customary black and red berry notes of Cabernet with a perfumed freshness and medium body. Fine-grained tannins are tempered by the influence of some carbonic maceration in the ferment.
“Cabernet from a north-facing slope on Hans and Anna Orth's vineyard in Coldstream. 100% whole bunches, matured in hogsheads (10% new). A bit darker and denser than last year's wine but equally elegant and perfumed with its scents of blackcurrant, cherry, blackberry leaf and violets. Medium bodied with balanced, mouthcoating yet fine tannins. A lovely wine, more reminiscent of great cabernet franc than sauvignon.”
- James Halliday 96 Points
“Superbly delineated aromas of dried sage, cassis, bay leaves, green beans and mossy forest scents. 100% whole bunch without an ounce of edginess or astringency. This is gorgeous, medium-bodied, perfumed and succulent. There’s a gentle raft of tannins rather than a chunky heaviness. Not dissimilar to the levity and élan of top Loire cabernet franc. Delicious.”
-James Suckling 95 Points