My first visit to this new winery and tasting room, Daou (pronounced Dow), in Paso’s Adelaida wine region, was impressive on every count. Atop the mountain, the panoramic view of North County is spectacular, as is the beautiful Spanish architecture where everything was handcrafted when brothers/vignerons Daniel and Georges Daou built this stunning estate. The wines are equal in quality. Daniel made the Celestus blend with 59 percent Syrah, 32 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9 percent Petit Verdot, 100 percent free run juice, and it’s excellent. This smooth, irresistible wine is fragrant with notes of ripe blackberries and blueberries, beautifully nuanced with notes of black pepper, spice, and oak. It’s a good choice with lamb chops, steak, or spiced baby back pork ribs (not a sweet sauce). You’re paying for the quality at $46 retail, and this delicious wine is well worth the price and the drive to the tasting room on Adelaida Road.
This article appears in Jan 24-31, 2013.