DAOU was the first in Paso Robles to produce a 98-point wine, and they seem inclined to make it a habit. The 2016 Patrimony, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 30 months in all new French oak, delivers stunning layers of flavor on a ripe frame with fantastic juiciness. Blueberry jam, blackberry pie, truffles, espresso and violets...really, all the explosive aroma and flavor you could ask for in a seriously killer Cabernet.

Ink Purple in color, this wine that comes from the homes of Daniel and Georges DAOU, provides the deepest expression of a marriage between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. At the first sip, the density of this wine strikes you as something ethereal. On the nose, you are mesmerized with scents of rose petals, cigar box, blackberry Jam, Dark cherries, hibiscus, stone fruit, vanilla and dark chocolate. The tannins are soft and supple with an underlying power that spells elegance throughout the entire tasting experience. The middle palate is balanced and delivers a smooth transition between the attack and the finish. The finish won’t stop while keeping the wine fresh and vibrant.

The 2017 Patrimony is aging at a leisurely pace, it takes time in the glass to unfold to rich blackberry pie, roasted coffee, chargrill and a shimmery streak of graphite. The velvety palate is packed with sweet berry fruit and savory accents and finishes tightly wound. It's barely nudged in bottle this year and will continue to develop over the next 15+ years.

The 2017 Patrimony Cabernet Sauvignon is nothing short of a blockbuster. This is an uber-concentrated wine that offers explosive aromas of lilac, hibiscus, thyme and dark chocolate. Intense qualities of ripe blackberries, black currant and blueberries accompany a beautiful harmony of flavors that begin with a impressive entry and linger for several minutes. Full-bodied and silky in texture, this wine displays immense elegance backed by a wonderful minerality, all while remaining fresh and vibrant. This wine will reward careful cellaring and bottle aging for decades to come. 97 Points WA

Inspired by the classics of Saint-Émilion, the 2019 DAOU Reserve Seventeen Forty is a Cabernet Franc driven wine with a harmonious complement of Merlot. Beguiling aromas of blackberry cobbler, raspberry, crème de cassis and cherry pipe tobacco anticipate hints of toasty oak, black licorice and pencil shaving. Lush and full bodied, this wine bestows rich flavors of cherry, black plum, dark chocolate and blueberry compote with lovely accents of Zante currant, graphite and cinnamon. Solid structure and fine-grained tannins support a lengthy, focused finish, leaving notes of plum and boysenberry underscored by cocoa and black truffle.