2018 - Soul of a Lion, DAOU, Adelaida District

Dark purple. Intensely perfumed dark berry liqueur, exotic spice, incense, floral and licorice aromas show outstanding clarity and pick up hints of espresso and vanilla with air. Deeply concentrated, mineral-tinged cassis, blueberry, violet pastille and bitter chocolate flavors become livelier and take on a smoky nuance as the wine stretches out. Broad and youthfully chewy in texture, showing firm tension, impressive floral-dominated persistence and dusty tannins that lend solid closing grip. All new French oak.

If you are a Cabernet Sauvignon fan, it is hard to go wrong with this wine. Broad-shouldered and inky without a doubt, but the tannins will relax over the next few years and are already provide a great sounding board for the vibrant blueberry and cassis fruit. You get a blast of sweet cedar on the opening notes, with cocoa beans, a ton of liquorice, pencil lead and scorched earth, and a fragrant sage finish that adds delicacy and balance, making it really important to give time in the glass for this aspect to become clear. One of the longest seasons on record at Daou after a relatively cool end of season, and the last grapes came in during the third week of October. 100% new oak.