Yes it is, read on …
DAOU Winery ‘Sequentis’ Reserve Merlot 2019
Daou is by far one of the picturesque Wineries in California occupying one of the highest peaks in all of the state with spectacularly 360-degree views. I visited 10am Sunday morning in October 2019 and had an extraordinary experience and can personally recommend this as a must visit winery.
This is a new project for winemaker Daniel Daou and this initial release stands up to the high level of anticipation this wine received. Intoxicating notes of black cherries, dark chocolate, expresso coffee and sweet herbs are openly flaunted on the nose. One sip and you can tell it’s Paso Robles but there is a relaxed attitude and finesse which caught me off guard. Tannins are evident but not intrusive. Mouthfeel is smooth and desirable with impressive layers of dark cherries, plum, raspberries, chocolate, expresso coffee notes with cranberries and spices rounding things out. Exceptional length with beautiful balance.
Exceptional length with beautiful balance. Give this wine an hour or two decanting to bring out the best and will definitely cellar out to 2035 without a problem. Buy a case and drink one a year until they are gone. Pair with tomato based Italian dishes- chicken, red meat dishes with a rich sauce, Chinese Duck and anything with mushrooms or a mushroom sauce. BTW, this is the 95pt wine.
K Vintners Grenache ‘Powerline Vineyards’ 2019
Charles Smith is the owner and winemaker and there are several names and phrases used to describe his winery- ‘wines of substance’, House of Smith and K Vintners. Whatever you decide on, Charles Smith has produced some of the best, and highest scoring wines to come out of Walla Walla, Washington and his 2019 ‘The Boy’ Grenache is another shining example scoring an impressive 99 pt from James Suckling. His 2018 vintage Syrah received 98 pt- JS and his 2019 Charlotte Red Blend received 97 pt- JS
He started his dream of growing vines and making wine back in 1999 with a $5,000 loan and a truck load of determination to support his dream producing 330 cases of Syrah which he sold out of the back of his 1987 Chevy Astro Van. The wine showcased the underlying potential of both Charles Smith as a winemaker and Walla Walla as a wine region and from these
humble beginnings sprang 7 separate brands and dozens of impressive wines.
This 100% Grenache is sourced from his Powerline Vineyard, one of his first vineyards. The nose is full of promise with cherries, herbs with an interesting earthy, mushroom note whilst leaving you with an impression of sweetness. Not the potpourri of red fruits you would expect but there are bright red cherries and raspberries evident inter twinned with plum, dry herbs and ripe orange peel. Impressive depth and complexity with wonderful balance and restraint- what you would expect from high elevation fruit- 1,200’. Everything is where it should be with excellent length on the finish. A total package that promises rewards with extended cellaring- 2035. This will pair with so much great food- stews, pork, lamb, rabbit, Moroccan Chicken, Indian goat dishes, British Pub food and of course Mediterranean style vegetable pizza. This got the 99pt rating.
Vine to Table 