It’s been a couple years since we last reviewed the DAOU Cabernet for this site, but we’ve tasted several vintages since then as this is just a go-to bottle whenever you see it.
Huge bang for the buck, and that was once again the case with this 2021 vintage at Costco for $20.99. That’s the lowest price we‘ve seen it at Costco, down from $22.99 a few years ago.
Retail price is around $30 and it is online for $25 at a few outlets including Wine.com.
We found quite a few 90+ point ratings on this vintage including rave reviews from Wine Advocate and Wine Enthusiast, and we think they are right in line.
This is actually a bit of a blend as we’ve noted in the past. The make up this year is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.
Our tasting notes remain similar to past years and that’s a good thing, as this wine continues to represent the great quality at a fair price you can still find in Paso Robles.
The wine is a medium ruby in the glass; nice combination of red and dark fruit, blueberry, cherry and plum with some mocha notes; medium to full bodied; spicy oak in the long, lingering finish.
A beautiful wine that will once again land on our Top Picks list. Perfect for summer BBQs.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 90 points (a Costco Wine Blog Top Pick)
Costco item number: 609714
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 14.5%
Ryan
Tuesday 15th of August 2023
I'm not a giant wine connoisseur, but agree that the 2020 was great but the 2021 is not as good. I don't have the palate to tell you why, but agree with the poster above that something is off. Wish I had bought way more bottles of the 2020 b/c you can't find them anymore. 2021 is passable, but probably won't go out of my way to get it.
Jim Heiner
Saturday 5th of August 2023
We have tasted the 2021 Daou twice now, and remain un-impressed. We have a lot of 2018 and 2020 Daou in our cellar, and both are delicious. The 2021 just doesn't "taste right". I would rate the 2018 at 93, the 2020 at 92, and the 2021 at 87. Interesting note. We saw the first 2021 vintage Daou in retail in September of 2022. That caused me to wonder how finished wine could be produced, aged, bottled, shipped to distributors, then shipped to retailers, all in ELEVEN MONTHS.
Matt
Monday 7th of August 2023
@Jim Heiner, Thanks for the added note.