Happy Hour Wine Tasting Featuring Daou Vineyards and Winery from Paso Robles Wednesday September 25th 6pm and all the Daou Wines on SALE!
"Tis pity wine should be so deleterious,
For tea and coffee leave us much more serious."
- Lord Byron
I had to look this one up “causing harm or damage” wine never does any harm or damage to me? Wine is anything but deleterious as far as I’m concerned we drink two bottles every day in my house. That is two bottles per person….
We have another great chance for you to come out and get deleterious with us at the wine bar with one of the hottest wineries in Paso Robles. Many were surprised when Treasury Wine Estates purchased Daou and its 600 acres of vineyards for approximately 1 billion dollars. We saw the whole thing happen as we have know the Daou brothers from the start of this venture in the late 1990’s and could see from day one the Daou brothers would make one of the most successful brands to emerge from California in our lifetime.
In 1998, after taking DAOU Systems public, Georges and Daniel sold the company, and a new dream arose, a dream with its roots in France. For years, Daniel had been making wine in his garage in rural San Diego, tending to a one-acre vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon, and reading every book he could find about winemaking. He knew he was destined to be a winemaker and knew it was time to start a winery. Everyone told him he was crazy, but with Georges as his business partner, Daniel told his father, “I’m going to buy this property in Paso, and I want to become a winemaker, and I think I can make one of the best wines in the world.” Without hesitation, Joseph said, “Go and don’t look back. Go full throttle.”
Many had a similar response within the wine community when Constellation paid over $300m for Meiomi and $285m for the Prisoner. These two brands were unmistakably the industry leaders in their category and that is why a company like Constellation Brands or Treasury Wine Estates would want them as they are the best companies suited to grow them even further.
In addition to the 600 acres of vineyards and revenues of over $200m, profits of $63m and impressive annual growth of 20%, they also got a highly successful tasting room and DTC business with Daou and feeling that the steady demand for $25-40 and over-$100 bottles would remaing strong. The Australian professionals who have been following the story also pointed out that Daou’s land and its degree-days are particularly suited to Penfolds’ winemaking style as they already have been experimenting with Australian clones here for over 20 years.
Join us as we welcome our good friends from Treasury Estates to host a Happy Hour wine tasting with their newly acquired Daou Vineyards wines. The fee for this tasting is $75 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.
Happy Hour Wine Tasting Featuring DAOU Vineyards and Winery from Paso Robles
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
6:00 PM
2022 Daou Chardonnay Reserve Paso Robles
2020 Bodyguard by Daou Chardonnay Paso Robles
2021 Daou Merlot Reserve Sequentis Paso Robles
2022 Daou Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Paso Robles
2020 Daou Soul of a Lion Paso Robles
2020 Daou Patrimony Cabernet Sauvignon Adelaida District, Paso Robles
2020 Daou Patrimony Caves des Lions Bordeaux Blend from Adelaida District Paso Robles
2021 Bodyguard by Daou Red Paso Robles
Menu
Charcuterie Pizza
Tuna Tacos with Wild Mushroom and Lavender Aioli
Beef Sliders with White Cheddar and Bacon Bernaise Sauce
Salmon Tartar on Cucumber Chips with Dill Aioli
Avocado Tartar Served on Parmesan Toast
The fee for this Happy Hour Wine Tasting is $75 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.
A bit of History about Daou Winery:
In the golden, oak-studded hills of Paso Robles’ acclaimed west side, not far from William Randolph Hearst’s magnificent castle, there is a man with a Homeric vision. His name is Daniel Daou and he is devoting his life and every imaginable resource to creating, first and foremost, a Cabernet Sauvignon that rivals the very best in the world.
Gracefully perched atop a stunning promontory at 2,200 feet, the DAOU Spanish Colonial style winery is embraced by a tangible serenity. Hawks wheel and bank while the all-day sun caresses close planted rows of lush, emerald green vines. The 100 percent calcareous soil makes no sound as it parses out nourishment and only a gentle breeze flows up through the Templeton Gap from the Pacific Ocean. The quiet is bewitching; you want to lay down roots here, just as the seven-year-old vines have done. But the sense of peace belies the serious industry at work on this 212 acre estate. No effort is spared to create the luscious varietals and blends that flow from this limited production winery.
This kind of synergy happens rarely: superlative climate and terroir, super intensive vineyard culture, and cutting edge viticultural practice. You’re more likely to find it in Bordeaux than Central California. Coupled with the infectious passion and gracious, family style hospitality of the Daou brothers, Georges and Daniel, the result is pure magic. The kind of magic that comes in a bottle.
This is one of the most exciting new projects to ever come out of Paso Robles in the last ten years, the vineyards were planted in 2007 and they now have 212 acres, the two Daou brothers were in the tech business before the wine business, retired at 34 and they looked around the world for a terroir and fell in love with this part of California. They planted very dense with 2600 vines per acre and they drop 80% of the fruit to get the crop down to under 1 ton per acre, this is a legacy to the Daou winery, 3rd leaf was 2010 and they have been getting great recognition in the press. Robert Parker Jr. gave them 96 points on the "Soul of the Lion" so they are off to a running start.
Paso Robles is bigger than both Napa and Sonoma put together and there is a lot of clone 8 Cabernet Sauvignon planted here. The brothers are also active in the Paso Robles Cabernet Collective, which was created to promote the wines of this upcoming wine region and they hired a PR group to bring more attention and recognition to Paso Robles wines. They combine French old world wine techniques with new world wines, the soils here are 100% calcarious limestone similar to Saint Emilion, they keep barrels at 50 degrees and they do not acidulate, using only minimal sulfides.
With a head for business and a heart full of passion for life, Georges Daou oversees the marketing and branding of DAOU Vineyards, keeping his sharp eyes on the direction of the winery and the steady growth of the family’s beloved vineyards. As children, Georges and his brother day-dreamed of a bucolic American ideal, replete with roaming cattle, ripening grapes and a thriving family culture.
Now, he wakes up most days simply amazed to discover that he’s living that dream. A warm, philosophical and very social man, he is an avid golfer, cyclist, and polo player. This love of both people and the great outdoors feeds his irrepressible joie de vivre. Georges' attention to excellent terroir, great climate and the fine art of winemaking results in a unique experience not just for visitors to DAOU, but for wine connoisseurs around the world and, in fact, anyone who opens a bottle of DAOU wine. He looks forward to welcoming you to the top of DAOU Mountain, an inspiring place where life seems to stand still, and great times await. Visit the winery and taste it for yourself. “Love is the most powerful emotion in Life and we hope to enhance it when you visit us at DAOU Mountain. In the end, our story and message is in the bottle" – Georges Daou
You could say that all of Daniel Daou’s aspirations for his ideal vineyard and winemaking experience have been reached. The confluence of geography, climate, viticulture, and opportunity has allowed him to become the winemaker he always wanted to be. Winemaking is far more than just a job for Daniel. It’s a highly contagious passion, particularly for Cabernet Sauvignon, that is reflected in his wines. Although his prime motivation is passion, his background as an engineer informs his every decision as a winemaker. Daniel goes to extraordinary lengths, such as employing methods only used in producing first-growth Bordeaux, to ensure that his wines are balanced with nonintrusive tannins to provide structure for the full bodied fruit while the wine matures, first in the barrel and later in the bottle. In the vineyard, he walks a fine line by letting the grapes struggle, yet never crossing over to the point where the vines would shut down.
Often, friends and fans of his wines describe Daniel as a man both charismatic and passionate, yet always ready to listen to others. He is seen as a committed member of the community whose drive and resources will take Paso Robles to a whole new level. For Daniel, putting his cherished family name on the bottle means everything. What’s inside the bottle must warrant that privilege, so every day he thinks about how to ensure the level of excellence he expects from his wines. “It's rare to have all the elements needed to achieve perfect balance and ripeness in a terroir. We found all these elements on our mountain and work hard to capture that magic from vineyard to bottle” – Daniel J. Daou
All the wines from Daou Winery on SALE!!
2023 DAOU ROSE PASO ROBLES
Price: $19.50 Your Price: $17.16
Winemaker notes: Made from Grenache grapes in the classic Provençale style, the 2023 DAOU Rosé displays beautiful radiance with a pale flamingo hue. Delicate aromas of peach, apricot, mango and lemony vanilla are accompanied by floral hints of hibiscus and honeysuckle. The palate is perfectly poised, balancing light and airy textures with a lush, crisp juiciness. Flavors of nectarine, papaya and Crenshaw melon reveal lingering notes of apple and citrus zest, all converging into a clean, silky finish.
2023 Daou Sauvignon Blanc Paso Robles
Price: $18.75 Your Price: $16.50
Winemaker notes: Lovely and bright—a quintessential rendition of Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc. Tantalizing aromas of grapefruit, pineapple, gooseberry and quince reveal floral impressions of lemongrass and acacia, all balanced by notes of lychee and wet stone. The palate is classily structured and elegantly styled, displaying crisp, juicy fruit flavors that burst across the palate, including lemon chiffon, key lime pie and kiwi accented with green apple, white nectarine and pineapple. Decisively refreshing, this wine finishes clean with lingering notes of dragon fruit, passionfruit and citrus.
2022 Daou Chardonnay Paso Robles
Price: $22.50 Your Price: $19.80
The 2022 DAOU Chardonnay displays a rich, ample nose of pineapple, vanilla bean, mango, hazelnut and nutmeg spice. Floral tones of honeysuckle and star jasmine are accented by sweet ginger and lemon zest. The palate is weighty and mouth-filling, delivering round, silky flavors of Bartlett pear, Crenshaw melon, kiwi and fresh pineapple. Notes of Golden Delicious apple and papaya are complemented with lemon cream pie and crushed almonds, while hints of white peach, citrus peel and cinnamon linger on a long, graceful finish.
2022 Daou Chardonnay Reserve Paso Robles
Price: $37.50 Your Price: $33.00
Winemaker notes: Blended from exemplary lots by Winemaker Daniel Daou, the 2022 DAOU Reserve Chardonnay displays a light golden-straw color in the glass. Aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle, pineapple and melon are deepened by notes of caramel and honey. Smooth textures flood the palate with flavors of tropical fruit, hazelnut, almond and vanilla. A beautifully rounded finish is lengthened by luscious, lingering acidity.
2020 Bodyguard by Daou Chardonnay Paso Robles
Price: $37.50 Your Price: $33.00 Quantity in Stock: 7
The Bodyguard Chardonnay embodies the quintessential style of a California chardonnay - ripe fruit, vanilla-laced oak notes and an all around rich and buttery mouthfeel. The warmer climate of California provides a deeper golden color, aromas of vanilla, cinnamon and coconut, and the flavors can range from mango and banana to butter and cream. The Chardonnay grape truly reflects where it is grown and as such the terroir expresses itself very accurately in the glass. The Bodyguard Chardonnay uses grapes from the famous Santa Barbara appellation that benefits from the proximity of Pacific Ocean. Cold fermentations are performed to maintain the aromatic precursors with a combination of French and American oak to deliver a creamy and buttery mouthfeel.
2022 Daou Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles
Price: $25.50 Your Price: $22.44 Quantity in Stock: 10
A rich and compelling nose of blackberry, cassis, smoky leather and dried herbs is enhanced with layers of plum and cherry, cocoa and sandalwood. Notes of pencil lead and crushed rock mingle with subtle nuances of sage and menthol. Bold and full bodied, this wine is structured firmly around a solid core of boysenberry and cherry fruit. Supple, ripe tannins provide ample backbone for the layers of boysenberry, black cherry, licorice and dried herb flavors. Fleshy and weighty on the palate while retaining balance and finesse, it finishes long and clean with lingering notes of plum and blackberry.
2020 Daou Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Paso Robles
Price: $52.50 Your Price: $46.20 Quantity in Stock: 6
Hailing from the exemplary 2020 vintage, this DAOU Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon showcases Paso Robles as a world-class region for Bordeaux-style wines. Classic aromas of Oregon blackberry, Zante currant and cherry pipe tobacco anticipate subtle notes of cranberry, baking spice, licorice, slate and dark chocolate. The palate is voluptuous and velvety with a firm underlying structure. Lavish flavors of blueberry, black raspberry, wild cherry and cassis are beautifully integrated with hints of truffle, dried herbs and forest floor. A smooth, persistent finish lingers with impressions of of sweet cherry, black plum and mushroom. While polished and approachable now, this is a Cabernet Sauvignon that will continue to evolve with grace and nuance.
Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
2022 DAOU CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE PASO ROBLES
Price: $52.50 Your Price: $46.20
Winemaker notes: The 2022 DAOU Cabernet Sauvignon exemplifies Paso Robles. The nose is highly perfumed, showing aromas of black cherry, cassis, plum, desert sage, sandalwood and dusty minerality. Secondary aromas reveal notes of cigar box, leather, bay leaf and black olive. The palate is rich and weighty, offering generous flavors of black raspberry, spicy currant and blueberry compote with 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.
2021 Bodyguard by Daou Red Paso Robles
Price: $37.50 Your Price: $33.00
The 2021 Bodyguard is the latest masterwork from Winemaker Daniel Daou. Bold and brooding, it displays a dark purple hue. Aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, berry jam, tobacco and maple syrup reveal trailing scents of pepper, campfire and chocolate-covered red fruit. The palate entry is big and broad, displaying rich flavors of freshly crushed berries, cured meat and spice. Concentrated dark fruit flavors extend into a sleek, lengthy finish.
Blend: 71% Petit Verdot, 29% Petite Sirah
58% PETIT VERDOT | 42% PETITE SIRAH
2022 DAOU PESSIMIST RED BLEND PASO ROBLES
Price: $25.50 Your Price: $22.44
(92 points) This bottling delivers the ripe power that so many want in a package that’s balanced by savory elements. Dense aroma of tar, char, asphalt, cassis and cocoa show on the nose. The palate is rich and creamy, loaded with coffee bean, coconut husk and baked fruit flavors. -Wine Enthusiast..
2019 Daou Merlot Reserve Sequentis Paso Robles
Price: $37.50 Your Price: $33.00 Quantity in Stock: 2
A big and fruity bouquet with dark plum and dark cherry fruit very ripe with a good amount of fresh plowed black earth and dark coco, violet and a very distinct minerality. Thick and chewy on the tongue with smooth velvet like texture on the tongue, wonderful freshness and a firm hand of acidity, this is a huge Merlot but with wonderful balance and a long layered finish. Finish 50+ Most Excellent
2021 Daou Merlot Reserve Sequentis Paso Robles
Price: $35.00 Your Price: $30.80
(93 Points) The Daou hallmark of toasted pecan and walnut aromas show on the nose of this Merlot, which also offers ripe berry and toasted herb touches. The palate carries the savory, nutty tone as well, with dark cherry providing fruit and firm tannins holding strong. Drink now-2035. — Matt Kettmann
2020 Daou Soul of a Lion Paso Robles
Price: $157.50 Your Price: $138.60 Quantity in Stock: 2
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 2020 Soul of a Lion is the kind of awe-inspiring, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon that Georges and Daniel envisioned when they first began researching the terroir of DAOU Mountain. This wine displays all the hallmarks of its cooler growing season—richness, elegance and balance. A dark, purple-black hue foreshadows the experience to come. Intense aromas of lilac, violet and spice swirl amid a deep, complex bouquet. The palate bursts with prodigious flavors of blueberry, boysenberry, plum, vanilla bean and chocolate-covered cherry, all underlain by striking minerality. Silky, integrated tannins unwind into an impossibly long finish, revealing both the power and finesse of its DAOU Mountain provenance.
2020 Daou Patrimony Cabernet Franc Paso Robles
Price: $304.50 Your Price: $267.96
The 2020 Cabernet Franc opens with supple black and blue fruits, followed by notes of fresh sage, tobacco leaf, and mineral undertones of graphite and granite. Its full-bodied palate is vivacious, with delicate tannins and fresh-balanced acidity. Its long-layered finish is rich in notes of tart cherry, plum, pomegranate and raspberry.
2020 Daou Patrimony Cabernet Sauvignon Adelaida District, Paso Robles
Price: $304.50 Your Price: $267.96
(97 Points) The 2020 Patrimony Cabernet Sauvignon, made entirely with free-run juice, will be in 100% new French oak barrels for 30 months. It has an opaque ruby-black color and youthfully gregarious aromas of cassis, blueberries, pencil shavings, thyme and mushroom. The full-bodied palate strikes a balance between concentrated fruit and a supple, fresh frame, and it finishes with alluring herbal tones. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2020 Daou Patrimony Caves des Lions Bordeaux Red Blends from Adelaida District Paso Robles
Price: $304.50 Your Price: $267.96
(96 Points) The 2020 Caves Des Lions comes from vines around the winemaker's house and is a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc brought up in new oak. Its inky hue is followed by a great nose of chocolatey dark fruits, espresso, Asian spices, tobacco, and earth. Full-bodied on the palate, it has notable purity of fruit and a great finish, with plenty of tannins. Jeb Dunnuck