Winemaker Notes
Soul of a Lion is the crown jewel of DAOU and an emblem of our quest to produce unsurpassed Cabernet Sauvignon from the terroir of DAOU Mountain. The 2023 vintage displays saturated hues of dark crimson and violet with lavish aromas of blueberry, plum, cherry pie, thyme and vanilla bean. The bouquet is underscored by accents of toasted oak, smoked meat, coconut and crème brûlée, leading to waves of boysenberry, blackberry, chocolate-covered cherry and baking spice on the palate. The mouthfeel is generous, seamless and structured, releasing a cascade of beautifully polished tannins into a deep and stunning finish.
Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Velvet-lioned tannins manage to have the power to hold on to teeth and palate. A majestic red that comes in with a roar, gentled by its poise and presence. The blend of 76% Cabernet, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot exhibits notes of graphite, violets, blackberry, tobacco, and coffee bean. It’s power levels off to a refined, harnessed purr for an ideal finish.
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James Suckling
Opulent with purity and charm, giving aromas of blackberry and cherry, fig, dark chocolate, sweet tobacco, cedar and licorice with a mineral undertone. The palate is full-bodied with finely integrated tannins, balanced acidity and a plush, layered mouthfeel with a silken, refined feel. A blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 16% cabernet franc and 6% petit verdot.
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Vinous
The 2023 Soul of a Lion Estate Collection is spicy in the glass, cascading up with an array of dried flowers, ground clove, incense, spiced blood orange and crushed raspberries. It displays radiance and a cool-toned feel despite its power and concentration, as masses of sour cherry and blueberry mingle over a wave of pure silk. A cascade of violet pastille lingers over a web of fine grained tannins as the 2023 finishes long, staining, structured and already quite approachable. The balance here will carry this beauty for years in the cellar.
Brothers Georges Daou and Daniel Daou set forth across the globe to find an unrivaled terroir for producing Cabernet Sauvignon, a quest that led them to a place of foretold greatness: DAOU Mountain in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles. DAOU Family Estates is a family owned and operated winery committed to producing collectible, world-class wine to rival the most respected appellations. Situated on a 212-acre hilltop estate in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles, this remarkable mountain was once described by André Tchelistcheff, legendary winemaking authority, as “a jewel of ecological elements.”
DAOU Mountain stands alone at an elevation of 2,200 feet, rising from the heart of the Adelaida District in the rugged coastal range west of Paso Robles. The steep slopes here reach up to 56 percent, with uniform exposure to the elements across the estate. It is a terroir of power, purity and symmetry, with every natural asset necessary to pursue the perfect Cabernet Sauvignon—including calcareous clay soils that emulate Bordeaux’s Right Bank and a climate that mirrors St. Helena.
There is a power within this Mountain they call home. It is a power that can turn mere raindrops and roots into extraordinary wines—and into lasting relationships—that will endure for decades. Everyday the winery strives to create an experience as beautiful as these wines, ensuring that everyone feels like family. There is nothing more important than human connection.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
