DAOU Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Front Bottle Shot
DAOU Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Front Bottle Shot DAOU Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

A rich and compelling nose of black currant, ripe Bing cherries and smoky, toasty oak is redolent of warm cherry pie and blackberry cobbler. Behind the very forward dark fruits lie notes of black olive, licorice, creme de menthe, crushed stone and just a hint of ground espresso bean. On the palate is a veritable explosion of fresh fruit flavors, plump, voluptuous and pure. Blackberry, plum and cherry, and even nuances of pomegranate and cranberry. A steely, dusty minerality underlies this solid fruit core, latent power obscured by an oh-so silky texture. A firm handshake in a velvet glove. An amazing finish that replays the currant and black cherry layers interspersed with herbs and sandalwood that just won’t let go. It is in this finish where the power and purity of this wine is proven.

Professional Ratings

  • 91
    This wine is a blend of around 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc making up the other 20%. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve offers ripe cassis, blackberry preserves, dried herbs, incense and dusty earth notions with a hint of smoked meat. The medium to full-bodied palate reveals a firm, fine-grained backbone with layered, relatively elegant fruit expression and a long and earthy finish.
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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.

SWS481533_2015 Item# 330971