THE WINE:
Soul of a Lion is DAOU’s crown jewel, named after the father of Georges and Daniel Daou. True to Soul of a Lion’s reputation as DAOU’s most coveted Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 vintage is nothing short of a tour de force. 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.
THE VINTAGE:
The 2018 vintage may go in history as the longest season yet. A good amount of rain fell on DAOU Mountain which gave to a later bud break in April. The vines were energized by the much-needed moisture, setting one of our best crops yet. The weather remained steady from spring through June when we received a long heat wave that fortunately did not affect the quality of the grapes due to the fact that it occured before the start of veraison. A cooling trend ensued for the rest of the season right after the heatwave prolonging the hanging time and the harvest to October. The result was our latest harvest ever on the mountain, reaching all the way into the third week of October. The long hang time yielded deep color and concentration with dense wines. The tannins are silky and beautifully integrated. As a result the 2018 vintage was an exceptional vintage that gave way to powerful and balanced wines.
DAOU FAMILY ESTATES:
Family owned and operated, DAOU Family Estates is committed to producing collectible, world-class wines to rival the most respected appellations in the world. Situated on a 212-acre hilltop estate in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles, our remarkable geology, favorable microclimate, and high elevation were once described by renowned California winemaker André Tchelistcheff as “a jewel of ecological elements.” As stewards of this beautiful terroir, DAOU’s goal is to make unique fine wines that honestly and accurately reflect the potential of the Estate and to craft Bordeaux style wines that combine Old World tradition with New World techniques.
- VARIETALS:
- 75% Cabernet Sauvignon
- 15% Cabernet Franc
- 10% Petit Verdot
- BARREL AGING: 22 months in 100% new French oak
- ALCOHOL: 14.7%
- ** Only 1 in Stock **
The 2018 Soul Of A Lion is an incredible Cabernet Sauvignon, made exclusively from free-run juice, blended with 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot and aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. Opaque ruby-purple in color, the nose opens slowly, segueing from graphite and tobacco leaves, to violets and blue fruit preserves, to cinnamon, potpourri and dark spices. The palate is seamless and cashmere-like, with expansive, pure, mineral-laced fruits enlivened by a burst of freshness that highlights the perfectly ripe fruit character this vintage. The finish is very long, offering violet perfume and iron tones that linger in the mouth. This is a gorgeous wine that combines unique personality with expert craftsmanship. It drinks well now but has all it needs for a long life in the cellar. - Robert Parker 97+ Points
Based largely on Cabernet Sauvignon blended with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2018 Soul Of A Lion offers a brilliant array of cassis, tobacco leaf, graphite, lead pencil, and earth. With full-bodied richness on the palate, it offers ripe tannins, a round, layered, yet still focused texture, and a great finish. Tight, compact, and focused, it’s going to benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and drink brilliantly over the following 15-20 years. - Jeb Dunnuck 95+ Points
