2014 Daou Soul of a Lion
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Tasting notes
The 2014 Soul Of A Lion is another young wine that could pass for a cask sample, unfurling in the glass with notes of ripe blackberries, wood smoke, black truffles and rich soil, framed by some nicely integrated new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied, supple and lavish, with an ample core of ripe fruit and a broad, expansive attack. As usual, it's more concentrated and structured than the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
(all new French oak): Lurid violet color. Deeply pitched cassis, cherry liqueur, cedary oak and pipe tobacco aromas are lifted by a suave floral note and a hint of cracked pepper. Rich but impressively energetic as well, showing excellent focus and power to its dark berry preserve, fruitcake, vanilla and rose pastille flavors. Smoothly balances richness and elegance and betrays absolutely no rough edges. Finishes on a sweet blue fruit note, with superb tenacity, lingering spiciness and supple, slow-building tannins.
Bottled just after I tasted it from barrel last year, the 2014 Soul of A Lion is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot that spent 22 months in new French oak barrels. Elegant, layered and decadent, with lots of blackcurrants, smoked earth, licorice, dark chocolate and espresso, it hits the palate with a killer, seamless texture, no hard edges and a great, great finish. It’s seriously good and up with some of the greatest Bordeaux blends from Paso Robles to date. This estate was created in 2010 by brothers Daniel and Georges Daou, and it lies high up off Adelaida Road. Along with l’Aventure and Booker Vineyards, this estate is unquestionably leading the charge with regards to Bordeaux varieties in Paso Robles.
Inky purple. A heady, impressively complex bouquet evokes ripe dark fruits, sandalwood, vanilla and floral pastilles, and a smoky nuance builds in the glass. Palate-coating black and blue fruit flavors show no rough edges and pick up hints of star anise and mocha with air. Appealingly sweet on the youthfully tannic finish, which hangs on with outstanding, spice-tinged persistence.