Daou Patrimony Cabernet Sauvignon (75cl, 15.2%)

A 750ml, 100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon from the Adelaida District of Paso Robles, California, bottled at 14.7–15.2% ABV. It is the flagship expression of DAOU Vineyards & Winery, made from fruit grown on DAOU Mountain's high-elevation calcareous limestone soils. The wine is subjected to aggressive crop thinning and optical berry sorting, with only free-run juice used. Fermentation uses wild yeasts cultured from DAOU Mountain, and ageing lasts 30 months in barrels sourced through personal relationships with top French cooperages. The nose opens with blackcurrant and crushed blackberry, then graphite, violets, cigar wrapper and dark chocolate. The palate is full-bodied with cassis, espresso and bitter chocolate framed by polished tannins, while the finish is long and mineral-driven with graphite, dark fruit and coffee extract.