Daou Soul Of A Lion 2019

DAOU Soul Of A Lion 2019 is a 750ml Bordeaux-style red blend from Paso Robles bottled at 14.8% ABV. Awarded 97+ points by Wine Advocate critic Erin Brooks, this vintage stands among the most critically acclaimed releases from DAOU Family Estates and the broader Adelaida District.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: Adelaida District, Paso Robles, California  |  Vintage: 2019  |  Producer: DAOU Family Estates

Production & Heritage

DAOU Family Estates farms high-density vineyards on the steep limestone slopes of DAOU Mountain in the Adelaida District, an elevated sub-appellation west of Paso Robles known for its calcareous soils and significant diurnal temperature swings. The 2019 Soul of a Lion is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 9% Petit Verdot — composed entirely from free-run juice, with no pressed juice included. Macerations are kept deliberately short, and the wine finishes primary fermentation in barrel before aging 22 months in 100% new French oak. This approach, combined with extraordinarily high phenolic content from the estate's hillside fruit, yields a wine of remarkable density and structural refinement.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with an opaque, dense purple hue giving way to pure crème de cassis and dark currant fruit, layered with graphite, crushed stone, and chocolate. Secondary notes of toasted espresso bean, charred walnut shell, rose petals, and a subtle green pepper lift add aromatic complexity.

Taste: The palate entry is rich and full-bodied, immediately registering dark black fruits — cassis and blackberry — before the mid-palate broadens with chocolate, sweet vanilla from the new French oak, and a marked earthiness. The texture is voluptuous, almost creamy, with a density that reflects the free-run juice concentration. Tannins are abundant but finely integrated, providing structural grip without coarseness.

Finish: Long and resonant, carrying savory tones of seared meat, tobacco leaf, and charcoal alongside lingering dark fruit. The finish resolves with mineral persistence — a signature of the estate's limestone terroir.

How to Drink Soul of a Lion

This wine is best served neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass at 60–65°F, with at least 60 to 90 minutes of decanting to allow its dense structure to open fully. Given its concentration and oak profile, it responds well to extended air exposure. At this level of complexity and tannin, cocktail applications are not recommended — this is a wine designed for focused appreciation.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Cabernet collector seeking top-scoring Paso Robles wines
• Anchoring a tasting flight comparing Paso Robles to Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Pairing with a special occasion steak dinner or holiday prime rib
• Cellaring for long-term aging — the 2019 vintage structure supports a decade or more of development

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Soul of a Lion taste like? Soul of a Lion 2019 delivers dense dark fruit — crème de cassis, blackberry, and currant — woven with chocolate, espresso, crushed stone, and sweet vanilla from 22 months in new French oak. It is full-bodied and voluptuous, with firm but polished tannins and a long, savory finish.

How does Soul of a Lion compare to Caymus Special Selection? Both are rich, full-bodied California Cabernets that appeal to lovers of ripe, concentrated red wine, and Soul of a Lion has been informally described as occupying a similar stylistic space with even greater intensity. The key difference is terroir: Soul of a Lion draws its mineral backbone and phenolic density from high-elevation limestone slopes in Paso Robles rather than Napa Valley alluvial soils, resulting in a more structured, earth-driven character.

Is Soul of a Lion good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this wine is built for focused, contemplative drinking with proper decanting. Its layered aromatics and extended finish reward slow, deliberate tasting.

Where is Soul of a Lion made? Soul of a Lion is produced by DAOU Family Estates on DAOU Mountain in the Adelaida District, a mountainous sub-appellation in the western hills of Paso Robles, California. The estate's vineyards sit at approximately 2,200 feet elevation on steep, limestone-rich slopes.

What foods pair well with Soul of a Lion? Grilled bone-in ribeye benefits from the wine's tannic structure cutting through marbled fat. Braised short ribs echo its dark, savory depth. Aged Comté or Gruyère complement the earthy minerality. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the cocoa and espresso tones. Herb-crusted rack of lamb works well against the Cabernet Franc's herbal aromatics in the blend.

What sizes does Soul of a Lion come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, though select vintages have been available in 1.5L magnum format.

Is Soul of a Lion worth the price? Soul of a Lion positions as a flagship, ultra-premium California red blend. With 97+ points from Wine Advocate, 96 points from Decanter, and consistent scores of 94–96 from Jeb Dunnuck, it competes critically with established Napa Valley Cabernets that often command significantly higher prices, making it a strong value proposition within the collectible California Cabernet tier.

Why Soul of a Lion?

The 2019 vintage represents one of the highest-rated releases of this flagship bottling, anchored by the 97+ score from Wine Advocate's Erin Brooks — a mark that places it in rare company for any Paso Robles red. Its production from free-run juice only, with short maceration and barrel fermentation followed by 22 months in 100% new French oak, creates a wine of uncommon density and textural polish. The Adelaida District's limestone terroir gives Soul of a Lion a mineral signature and phenolic intensity that distinguish it from more fruit-forward California Cabernets. For collectors and enthusiasts tracking the rise of Paso Robles as a world-class Cabernet region, this is one of the district's defining wines.