Daou Vineyards Chardonnay 2017

THE WINE 

The 2017 Chardonnay is floral and fragrant with a beautiful nose offering an abundance of pear and white peach aromas, fresh vanilla bean crème brulee, and star jasmine. Secondary layers reveal pineapple, papaya and crushed filberts, with nutmeg and lemon zest accents. Vibrant and zesty on the palate while maintaining its lush silkiness and voluptuous, mouthfilling texture. Bright tropical fruit flavors of mango, pineapple and kiwi, laced with hazelnut and honeysuckle, as well as subtle hints of banana cream pie. Clean and persistent on the finish, creamy and rich with Asian pear, citrus and vanilla, this delightful wine becomes a truly memorable experience.

THE VINTAGE 

The 2017 growing season was preceded by one of the wettest winters in recent memory, with nearly 35 inches of rain recorded on DAOU Mountain. The vines were energized by the much-needed moisture, setting one of our best crops yet. The weather remained steady from spring through mid-summer. However, a heat wave descended upon California during the third week of August. Many vintners chose to harvest immediately, but we made the brave decision to allow the fruit to hang. As we suspected, a cooling trend snapped the heat wave ensuring that the fruit achieved optimal ripeness. The result was our latest harvest ever on the mountain, reaching all the way into the third week of October. The long hang time yielded the deepest color and concentration we have seen from our estate. The tannins are silky and beautifully integrated. We feel that the 2017 wines will rival the best ever from DAOU Mountain. DAOU

VINEYARDS & WINERY

Family owned and operated, DAOU Vineyards 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.

ALCOHOL

14.2% BARREL

AGING

7 months in 30% new French oak