DAMAGED LABEL: DAOU Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (750 ml)

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The growing season was preceded by one of the wettest winters in recent memory, with nearly 35 inches of rain recorded on DAOU Mountain. The vines were energized by the much-needed moisture, setting one of our best crops yet. The weather remained steady from spring through mid-summer. However, a heat wave descended upon California during the third week of August. Many vintners chose to harvest immediately, but we made the brave decision to allow the fruit to hang. As we suspected, a cooling trend snapped the heat wave ensuring that the fruit achieved optimal ripeness. 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 the deepest color and concentration we have seen from our estate. The tannins are silky and beautifully integrated. We feel that the wines will rival the best ever from DAOU Mountain.

The Cabernet Sauvignon has heady aromatics that affirm this is a serious wine for serious wine lovers. This wine displays black cherry, Zante currant, plum and blackberry up front, complemented by dark chocolate, tobacco leaf and cool menthol. Rounding out the nose are aromas of black olives, briarwood, fig and dried thyme. Bold and assertive on the palate with flavors initially dominated by dark fruits, Bing cherries, black raspberry, plum and pomegranate, accompanied by high note accents of cranberries and rhubarb. Midpalate delivers espresso and dried herbs with hints of fennel and cigarbox all seamlessly integrated together on a structure of very fine grain, plush and ripe tannins. A wine of complexity and depth with a purity of fruit and subtle layers of flavors and texture that harmonize and enhance. This wine constitutes a journey of the senses that begins with power and finishes with elegance and style.