“We will be relentless in our pursuit of perfection. We won’t ever be perfect – but in the process we will achieve greatness.” – Vince Lombardi. That quote from the great coach could just as easily have been said by Daniel Daou, winemaker and co-proprietor of Daou Vineyards in Paso Robles, California. Daniel, and his brother Georges, have set out to make the very best wine that can rival the best of Napa or Bordeaux, and Advinetures got to hear their fascinating story first hand when we visited with Daniel at their gorgeous hilltop winery.
2013 Dracaena Cabernet Franc
Medium to dark red in colour, the nose is very fragrant, offering up scents of black currants, and black cherries with nuances of tobacco leaf. The body is medium plus and the tannins are still noticeable at this young age but they are sweet and not astringent or rough. There is a lovely texture to this wine that gives it a soft mouthfeel, punctuated with a very precise and long finish. The fruit dominates the palate at the moment but after another year in bottle the hints of spice should become a bit more noticeable after the fruit settles in, and this will only add to the complexity. 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Petite Syrah from Westside Ranch in Paso Robles sweetspot, the Adelaida District.
Excellent
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The wine world has always made a point to differentiate its various different terroirs, as the differing conditions of site, soil, temperature, aspect, sunshine, rainfall and a myriad of other factors have a big influence on the wines that different terroirs produce. Across the world it is well known that different sub-regions produce different styles of wine, and, perhaps even more importantly, different quality levels of wine. These sub-regions are generically referred to as Geographical Indications or GIs. Across the world, these GIs have more local names. In France they have the AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlee) system, Italy has Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) and two others, and the US has the American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation.
2011 Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot
Dark red in colour, it was so dark you could have been fooled into thinking you were drinking a much more full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon rather than Merlot! But don’t let the look of it fool you, this wine is full bodied but not at all overpowering. Lots of red fruits on the nose with a minerality to it that creates a beautiful balance. Drinking well now but still has lots of time to be forgotten in the cellar.
Excellent
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When you have a name like Grapevine and you’re in the heart of an emerging wine region, living up to the expectations a name like that provides can be daunting. Combine Grapevine with GrapeFest, the largest wine festival in the Southwest, and you have the makings of a pretty great opportunity to taste what Texas winemakers have to offer.
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