Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
Darkly floral and earthy, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate wafts up with a beguiling blend of cocoa-dusted black cherries, grilled herbs and ashen stones, all complicated by a hint of flowery underbrush. This is texturally thrilling, both velvety and energetic, with cool-toned acidity and elegantly ripe red and black fruits that swirl throughout. It leaves a minty freshness and a coating of fine-grained tannins, finishing long and structured yet still remarkably fresh.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, matured for 21 months in 100% new French oak, is youthfully shy at this stage, although it has notably pure scents of red and black currants and youthful wafts of coffee beans. The full-bodied palate is elegantly styled, with gently crunchy fruit and integrated new oak character. It has a fine frame of dusty tannins, bright freshness and a long, mineral-driven finish. Give it 3-5 years in bottle to unwind. Rating: 93+
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Wine Enthusiast
The nose on this wine is herbal with anise, oregano and pencil-shaving aromas, while blackberry and cocoa provide depth. Fennel pollen and roasted nut flavors meet with rich berry on the palate, where tannins are light but present.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2021 DAOU Discovery Collection Cabernet Sauvignon is pleasing, well-balanced, and lovely to enjoy now. TASTING NOTES: This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of loganberries and savory spices. Enjoy its soft touch in the finish with grilled cheeseburgers. (Tasted: September 17, 2022, San Francisco, CA)
As Paso Robles, California has soared in number of wineries and gained in popularity, Cabernet Sauvignon has firmly taken root as the region’s number one varietal. Alone, it accounts for just over 40% of plantings and is grown throughout both the western and eastern sides of the appellation. Though viticulture here dates back to the 18th century, Cabernet Sauvignon didn’t emerge as a significant grape here until the 1970’s. But since then it has definitely made up for lost time.
Legendary winemaker and consultant Andre Tchelistcheff first recognized Paso’s potential with Cabernet Sauvignon in the early 1960’s. The calcareous soil and dramatic diurnal temperature changes of Paso’s westside particularly intrigued him. Today modern winemaking techniques and focused experimentation with various clones, rootstocks and vineyard strategies optimize the region's ideal combination of soil and climate to deliver the best fruit possible.
The results are evident in the glass. Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon can be mesmerizing, with rich aromas and flavors of blackberry, cassis, black cherry, graphite, toasty oak, vanilla and spice. The structure, balance and unbridled opulence of these wines impress from first sip to last. Not surprisingly, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignons have steadily grown in reputation, not just in the U.S., but around the world.