Reviews & Ratings

2020 DAOU Red Blends or Varietals "Pessimist"

Winery: DAOU

Vintage: 2020

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Pessimist"

Wine Category: Red Blends or Varietals

Grape blend: 62% Petite Sirah, 18% Zinfandel, 17% Syrah & 3% Lagrein

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Paso Robles

State or country: CA

Price: $30

Cases produced: unknown

KWG Score: 93 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (92)

Review date: February 21, 2022

Wine Review: This midnight purple colored Petite Sirah based blend from DAOU is very good. It opens with a blueberry and blackberry jam bouquet with a hint of pipe tobacco. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with medium acidity. The mouthfeel is velvety and balanced. The flavor profile is a stewed plum and stony mineral blend with notes of gentle blackberry jam and black licorice. I also detected hints of black olive, black currant, chocolate, and black tea. The finish is dry, and its moderate refined dusty tannins linger slightly while is flavors drift away. This Red Blend is a crowd pleasing quaffer and would pair nicely with a marinated grilled hanger steak in the near term. Enjoy - KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: The 2020 Pessimist presents intense aromas of blueberry, cherry, plum and strawberry with undercurrents of lavender. The nose evolves with layers of warm leather, truffle, pipe tobacco, black pepper and allspice. Rich and weighty on the palate, this wine delivers a no-holds-barred generosity of bold fruit flavors—boysenberry, blackberry, cassis and plum, underlain by notes of rhubarb, pomegranate, and damp forest floor. Subtle hints of black olives, mushroom and tamarind spice concisely complement the balanced and well-rounded flavor profile. A persistent, elegant finish lingers with red cherry and cranberry tones highlighted by hints of dark chocolate.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell DAOU 2020 Pessimist.