Reviews & Ratings

2022 DAOU Red Blends or Varietals "Pessimist"

Winery: DAOU

Vintage: 2022

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Pessimist"

Wine Category: Red Blends or Varietals

Grape blend: 60% Petite Sirah, 22% Zinfandel, 16% Syrah & 2% Lagrein

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Paso Robles

State or country: CA

Price: $30

Cases produced: unknown

KWG Score: 90.6 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (91)

Review date: December 16, 2024

Wine Review: This opaque purple colored Petite Sirah based blend opens with a fragrant raisin, forest floor, and black licorice bouquet with hints of tobacco leaf and boysenberry. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with integrated medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round, very smooth, and luscious. The flavor profile is a forward blend of blackberry and Good n' Plenty with notes plum pudding and loam. I also detected hints of black pepper, stony minerality, and tobacco. The finish is dry, and its rich flavors and slightly chewy tannins linger nicely. This wine is initially tight and needs a good decant to best express itself. Then we would pair it with a fireplace on a cold winter's night. With food, try it with a steakhouse bacon burger. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: The 2022 vintage delivers yet another bewitching blend with trademark Pessimist flair. An intensely aromatic nose begins with fragrances of blueberry, boysenberry and black plum. Deeper layers reveal lavender, truffle, cocoa and tamarind spice with hints of cherry pipe tobacco, leather, mint and smoked meats. A bright, vibrant palate offers generous flavors of black cherry, cranberry, crème de cassis and pomegranate. Notes of lilac, anise and black olive complement the rich fruit while the mouth is flooded with lush, silky textures. Lingering accents of blueberry and raspberry round out this elegantly balanced wine.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell DAOU 2022 Pessimist.