The Discover Club - April 2020
This month, for Just A Taste’s Discover Club, we venture to the future capital of Cabernet, Paso Robles, California, with the incredible wines from DAOU Vineyards and Winery.
DAOU “Bodyguard” 2017
Producer: Daou Vineyards
Winemaker: Daniel Daou
Region: USA, California, Paso Robles
Grape Varietal: 60% Petit Verdot, 40% Petit Sirah
Viticulture: calcareous clay soil, SIP (sustainability in practice) certified
Method: 35% new French Oak for 15 months
Serving Suggestions: decant 30 minute at 60-65 degrees
Age: drink 2020-2030
Nose: blackberry, creme de cassis, licorice, mocha
Palate: medium-plus body with intense, tight tannins
Finish: perfumed fruit with lingering vanilla, cocoa, and oak spices
About Daou Vineyards
“True Happiness is Safety in the Arms of Love”
DAOU Vineyards and Winery was conceived by brothers Georges and Daniel Daou in the early 2000s. After making their fortunes in software, the Daou brothers set their sites on the grape life and soon fell in love with the beauty and allure of Paso Robles. After some research, they found that legendary Napa winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff said Paso could produce world-class Cabernet Sauvignon in its higher elevation, they did what any good engineer would do: they scienced the shit out of it.
Daniel spent time on both left and right banks of Bordeaux, but quickly realized the similarity of soil towards that of St.-Emilion. Though the components are more Cabernet-driven, there is definitely a floral and sensual character much akin to that of St.-Emilion in their winemaking style. Since its inception, the Daou brothers have committed incredible resources into researching optimal ways of growing the vines and tending the wines. But, what else would you expect when you place two tech-savvy geniuses with a passion for wine in the heart of grape country?
About “Bodyguard”
Petit Verdot is often used as a blending grape in Bordeaux wines, but it is known for intense tannin structure, deep color, and exotic perfumed aromatics. Those three descriptors perfectly identify with this wine, though the addition of Petite Sirah adds juiciness and ample fruit to offset the intense tannin structure. The result is an incredibly powerful yet balanced wine rich with deep fruit liqueur and exotic spice notes.