Daou Soul of a Lion 2018 750 ml

Daou Soul of a Lion 2018 is a full-bodied Bordeaux-style red blend from Daou Vineyards, grown on the limestone-rich Adelaida District hillsides of Paso Robles, California, and built from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The nose runs blackberry and cassis over dark chocolate, tobacco, and a savory edge of spice. On the palate it's dense but structured, layering blackberry and dark cherry against a current of cassis, framed by well-integrated oak and a long, smooth finish. It's a wine built for patience — the bottle for someone who wants California's ripeness without losing Bordeaux's backbone, best opened with a real meal in mind.

How to drink Daou Soul of a Lion 2018

Decant it for at least thirty minutes before pouring — the tannins are firm enough that a little air opens the fruit fast. Serve just below room temperature in a large-bowled glass, and put it next to something with real fat on the plate: a ribeye, braised short rib, or an aged hard cheese all give the oak somewhere to go.