DAOU 'Reserve' Paso Robles Chardonnay 2021

Winery Notes

The rich yet elegant 2021 DAOU Reserve Chardonnay, blended from exemplary lots by Winemaker Daniel Daou, offers inviting aromas of lemon chiffon, ripe pineapple, hibiscus flower and white peach. Notes of piña colada and warm buttered toast are accented by touches of nutmeg and clove. The mouthfeel is succulent and lively, displaying generous flavors of Crenshaw melon, pineapple, sliced nectarine and vanilla bean. Impressions of hazelnut, Bosc pear and honey round out the mid palate, all leading to a crisp, clean finish that lingers with essences of citrus zest and star jasmine.

Vintage Notes

DAOU Reserve wines come from DAOU Mountain as well as superior vineyards in select Paso Robles AVAs. Winemaker Daniel Daou personally oversees these vineyards, enabling him to consistently produce reserve-caliber wines of character and elegance. The 2021 growing season was preceded by a dry winter, with only one large storm system that provided 10 inches of rainfall in February. A period of light rain in July also replenished the soil with much-needed moisture. While the summer season was marked by periodic heat waves, the weather cooled down by mid August and remained that way through harvest, with maximum temperatures hovering in the 60s and 70s. This cooling trend allowed the fruit to enjoy exceptional hang time. In the end, low yields and small berries provided white wines with fine balance and vivid varietal flavors.

Vineyard Notes

Family owned and operated, DAOU is committed to producing collectible, world-class wines to rival the most respected appellations in the world. Situated on a 212-acre hilltop estate in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles, our remarkable geology, favorable microclimate, and high elevation were once described by renowned California winemaker André Tchelistcheff as “a jewel of ecological elements.” As stewards of this beautiful terroir, DAOU’s goal is to make unique fine wines that honestly and accurately reflect the potential of the Estate and to craft Bordeaux style wines that combine Old World tradition with New World techniques.