We've tasted quite a few good, affordably priced wines from Paso Robles lately. The Justin Cabernet is always a favorite. And we really enjoyed the latest vintage of the Daou Cabernet, which made it even more fun to find the Daou Chardonnay show up at Costco for $14.99.
I've heard from quite a few readers looking for good solid summer white wines that can be scored for under $15, and this one fits the bill for me. In that same realm, we just reviewed the 2018 Kirkland Russian River Chardonnay, and enjoyed it, awarding that wine 87 points.
The Kirkland bottle's $12.99 price tag is hard to beat, but after tasting this bottle from Daou, I think it's worth it to spend a couple more bucks for the Paso Robles wine which I'm going to rate a point higher at 88. This is a fun, pure, summertime Chardonnay.
The wine pours a medium gold with strong fruit on the nose; in the mouth pronounced flavors of pear and white peach with apricot and green apple. Very clean fruit, not overwhelming oak or butter, which works good for my tastes; a touch of vanilla and oak at the finish; excellent finish. Well assembled.
I found this wine to be similar to the Kirkland Russian River Chardonnay, but a bit stronger in the finish and better balanced between the elements. There's a lot to like here for fans of Chardonnay but also other white wine fans who often times get turned off by too much butter and oak. I'd give this one a shot on a hot day.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 88 points
Costco item number: 549335
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 14.2%
Joyce Voletti says
I recently bought the Daou Chardonnay 2018 at my Costco in Northridge, CA. Loved it!! Our Costco had a rating tag different than the one you show however. It showed a 92 point rating from James Suckling for the 2018. Also, it only cost $13.99, but I assume that's because we're so much closer to Paso Robles than you are in Atlanta. I enjoyed the wine so much that I bought 7 more bottles of it earlier this week almost cleaning out the entire stock. Thought I'd leave a couple bottles for someone else to enjoy. 🙂
Thanks for your review! I enjoy your blog!
David Peterson says
I have been very disappointed in Daou wines , but I tried this Chardonnay.. it was okay, but not in balance. If you’re looking for a less expensive Chardonnay, there are many to choose from between dying and $15 that are far better than this one.