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The Daou Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc 2022 is a wine listed for $17 and often found for several dollars less. I found it for $15.99 at Trader Joe’s. The Daou winery is one of the premier facilities in Paso Robles (halfway between Las Angeles and San Francisco).
Daou was founded in 2006 by two brothers George and Daniel Daou who quickly started producing exceptional wines. Their beautiful winery is a must-see destination for those visiting Paso Robles. They are pioneers in bringing Cabernet Sauvignon to Paso Robles and many people think Paso Cabernet Sauvignon rivals Napa’s wine.
The Daou Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc 2022 is sourced from contracted vineyards in the Highlands District AVA and the El Pomar District AVA inside Paso Robles. I would imagine that with Daou’s reputation finding top-quality vineyards to source their fruit was relatively simple.
The 2022 vintage in Paso Robles had its difficulties, they were hit with 100-degree temperatures which caused the grapes to ripen quicker than ideal. The 2023 was one of the heavy rains years which caused as many problems as excess heat. In troublesome vintages a top, skilled winemaker is essential.
In years where the weather was perfect the wines almost made themselves, in less-than-perfect vintages the winemaker makes all the difference.
Daou also produces an estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc that is more expensive and is made in the Bordeaux Blanc style with a little bit of Semillon added to the Sauvignon Blanc. This wine should be made in the Loire Valley style.
Daniel Daou is the winemaker and the alcohol content is 15.7%.
The Daou Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Tasting Notes
The color is a muted lemon yellow. The nose is melon, lemons, apple, pear, peach, guava, some tropical fruit, a soft slap of spice, and a floral edge. The Daou Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc 2022 is a balanced wine with interesting flavors.
This Sauvignon Blanc tastes like a stew of melon, lemon, apple, and pear, followed by slightly crunching spice. The mid-palate offers tropical fruit, a little pineapple, stone fruit, orange zest, and blood orange.
The acidity is well-controlled, there is no “bite” and the flavors have plenty of room to unfold.
The Summary
- The Daou Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc 2022 is a singular Sauv Blanc, it doesn’t exactly taste Loire Valley or Marlborough, it does its own thing.
- At a $17 list price, it is not priced that far above brand wines, yet it drinks like a step to two above those wines.
- If you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc, this is a must-try!
