​I’ve resigned myself to never being invited to another Paso Robles cab event but seriously people the emperor has no clothes here. Despite the constant mantra to the contrary this is not world class cab this is not Napa class cab this isn’t even something I would recommend as Paso class cab. Tarry and meager, no fruit What. So. Ever.  Odd nuances, bland and vapid while simultaneously oppressing and artificially infused. I’m always confused how people drink this and smile. Just say no.

You have to understand–as locals–we get a constant and well-funded diatribe against Napa pounded into our skulls incessantly by this house. But there’s just no there there. The triple-whammy of non-stop confusing and wrongly-comparative promotion, flooding quantities and people being generally tasteless and unfocused and attracted to shiny things make this a best seller in its price-category.

You want REAL Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon?  Get J. Lohr Cuvee Series Pom, Pau, & St.E. Hell, EVEN HILLTOP; Broadside EPHEMERA; Ancient Peaks White Label Cab; Dusty Nabor; Chateau Margene; Clos Selene.  There’s a few others which compel from time to time, but that’s pretty much my list.

2014 DAOU Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Paso Robles 14.5

www.daouvineyards.com