The Golden Vine - Tasting Notes

DAOU Vineyards

2014 Soft Shoulder Paso Robles AVA

Soft Shoulder is back by popular demand. This GSM blend is predominately Grenache at 55%, blended with Syrah at 36% and Mourvedre at 9%. This will... Soft Shoulder is back by popular demand. This GSM blend is predominately Grenache at 55%, blended with Syrah at 36% and Mourvedre at 9%. This will be one of our softer wines.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Grenache / Syrah / Mourvèdre

DAOU Vineyards

2013 Left Turn Paso Robles AVA

Left Turn is one of our creative California blends; it crosses the boundaries imposed by old world regulations. The 2013 edition has turned even a... Left Turn is one of our creative California blends; it crosses the boundaries imposed by old world regulations. The 2013 edition has turned even a little more left than usual. The base blend is a Rhone style predominated by Grenache and Syrah, but we supplement this with a healthy percentage of Zinfandel plus a touch of Merlot and Petite Syrah. This is one of our softer wines, not as tannic as our Bordeaux blends, smooth enough to pair with delicate dishes, but with enough spice to stand up to a robust marinara sauce. The 14.alcohol is well balance by fruit and soft acids on the palate.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Grenache / Syrah / Zinfandel / Merlot / Petite Sirah

DAOU Vineyards

2013 Merlot Paso Robles AVA

Merlot sometimes does not get the respect it deserves. People tend to blame it on "that movie," but who knows? In any event, Merlot has been a popular... Merlot sometimes does not get the respect it deserves. People tend to blame it on "that movie," but who knows? In any event, Merlot has been a popular varietal for centuries, and will be with us for a long time. In fact, if you go buy a very expensive bottle of imported right-bank Bordeaux, it will be mostly be made of Merlot. This is a later harvest Merlot, with velvety tannins and lush stone fruit and blackberry aromas. There is a very limited supply of 2013 Merlot, and once again the 2014 harvest conditions cruelly preclude a 2014 bottling.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Merlot

DAOU Vineyards

2013 Estate Micho Daou Estate Paso Robles AVA

Daou Estate

Alcohol: 14.5%

A beautiful display of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a seamless blend that is inky, purple color with the structure needed to let it evolve nicely... A beautiful display of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a seamless blend that is inky, purple color with the structure needed to let it evolve nicely for years to come. This wine is lush with velvety tannins and intense plum, blackberry, cassis with highlights of olives, herbs and sweet oak. Approachable now, it will reward you with even more pleasure with some years in the bottle.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol: 14.5%

DAOU Vineyards

2014 Montepulciano Magnum Paso Robles AVA

We are excited to introduce our first exotic wine, Montepulciano. This is a fabulous Tuscan varietal, with a unique flavor profile. We are offering... We are excited to introduce our first exotic wine, Montepulciano. This is a fabulous Tuscan varietal, with a unique flavor profile. We are offering only a limited bottling of 50 cases of the 2014 vintage, but will be back with a larger release of the 2015 vintage.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Montepulciano

DAOU Vineyards

2012 Reserve Zinfandel Paso Robles AVA

Alcohol: 14.7%

The nose is treated to aromas of steeped strawberries and crushed red plums with hints of Asian spices to be discovered. This wine shows ripe fruit with... The nose is treated to aromas of steeped strawberries and crushed red plums with hints of Asian spices to be discovered. This wine shows ripe fruit with restrained structure and the balance is consistent with DAOU winemaking. The palette is treated to a diverse selection of red fruits, free-run strawberries, red currents, and hints of Bing cherries. The oak flavors showcase the affinity Zinfandel has for added structure, and the maintained acidity helps keep this wine bright and balanced.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Zinfandel

Alcohol: 14.7%

DAOU Vineyards

2013 Zinfandel Paso Robles AVA

Our 2013 Zinfandel is a blend from our own estate vineyard and nearby west-side vineyards. The fruit was harvested overnight, and passed cold across... Our 2013 Zinfandel is a blend from our own estate vineyard and nearby west-side vineyards. The fruit was harvested overnight, and passed cold across two sorting tables to assure quality and eliminate excess raisins sometimes found in Zinfandel; the result is more elegant and not so jammy as one sometimes finds in a warm climate Zinfandel. After the sort, we did an extended cold maceration before bringing the wine up to a strictly controlled fermentation temperature. The wine aged in barriques bordelaises, at approximately 20% new oak. This is a robust wine with a fairly high alcohol content, and therefore a favorite of our staff. Pair this with hearty foods.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Zinfandel

DAOU Vineyards

2014 Reserve Chardonnay Paso Robles AVA

Alcohol: 14.1%

This rich and voluptuous wine offers aromas of lemon, peach, vanilla and toasty oak. Floral and spicy notes of honeysuckle, star jasmine, nutmeg and almond... This rich and voluptuous wine offers aromas of lemon, peach, vanilla and toasty oak. Floral and spicy notes of honeysuckle, star jasmine, nutmeg and almond follow. Lush, weighty, and mouth- filling on the palate. A silky smooth texture delivers flavors of pineapple, lemon cream pie, honeydew melon and sweet ginger. Secondary layers reveal hints of toffee, hazelnut and toast. The finish is graceful and elegant, with essences of papaya and spiced apple, and a perfect crispness at the end.

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