DAOU Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay 2020

DAOU Vineyards

Chardonnay

Paso Robles, California, USA

Founded by Lebanese-born brother and sister team Georges and Daniel Daou, DAOU Winery is the result of 8 years of searching and finally finding the 212 hectares of land in Paso Robles, which rises to 670 metres and has an incredible microclimate. This area offers a unique combination of Napa-like climate and limestone-rich soils, similar to the highest vineyards in France. These exceptional conditions allow the Daou brothers to create stunning wines that combine the elegance of the Old World with the vibrancy and innovation of the New.

This beautiful Chardonnay is straw yellow with shimmering golden highlights. The wine coats the glass with a silky, satin-like texture when swirled and rolls softly in the cup. The nose is dominated by tropical notes with a full profile of ripe red grapefruit, white peach and a hint of apricot. The French oak lingers subtly in the background, giving the fruit a chance to come through perfectly. The richness of the palate clearly highlights the balance between fruit and oak. The full-bodied character of this wine offers great pairings with many cuisines. This Chardonnay can be enjoyed now, but will age long and evolve gracefully in the bottle.

Very intense aromas of pears, Japanese honeysuckle, Granny Smith apples and lightly toasted oak, with subtle notes of pineapple, vanilla, hazelnut and ginger on the palate, along with baking spices, create a really rich and textured wine. It is also supported by good acidity and an extremely long lime finish.

Serve with pan-fried salmon, mussels, fried chicken and creamy pasta dishes with sauce.

Alcohol content: 14%

Consumption temperature: 9-10°C

James Suckling: 94 points

Wilfred Wong (Wine.com): 90 points