Why You'll Love This Wine This is DAOU Mountain in a glass. Brothers Georges and Daniel Daou searched all of California before landing on this 212-acre hilltop estate in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles—a site legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff once called "a jewel of ecological elements." The 2022 Estate Collection Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from the finest vineyard blocks on the mountain and aged extensively in hand-selected French oak. It's remarkably approachable for such a young wine, yet built to age.
Tasting Notes Deep red-purple in the glass. The nose is highly perfumed with aromas of black cherry, cassis, plum, desert sage, sandalwood, and dusty minerality. Secondary notes reveal cigar box, leather, bay leaf, and black olive. On the palate, this wine is rich and weighty, offering generous flavors of black raspberry, spicy currant, and blueberry compote alongside impressions of Bing cherry, boysenberry, fig, and baking spices. Ripe, fine-grained tannins carry into a structured finish with lingering accents of cherry, espresso, and vanilla.
Food Pairings
- Grilled ribeye or New York strip
- Braised beef short ribs
- Lamb with rosemary and garlic
- Aged cheddar or Manchego
Why It Works At 2,200 feet elevation on limestone soils, DAOU Mountain produces Cabernet Sauvignon with the structure of Bordeaux and the ripe fruit expression of California. The 2022 vintage was a winemaker's dream—winter drought gave way to "miracle" late-March rains that replenished soils and set the stage for healthy vine canopies. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 91 points, noting "It's amazing that the Daou brothers can produce a formidable Cab that is this accessible at such a young age." This blend of 77.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15.6% Petit Verdot, 6.5% Merlot, and a touch of Cabernet Franc delivers approachable luxury—a house specialty.
