2020 Patrimony
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Tasting notes
Minty herbs come together with hints of mocha, then dried violets, stone dust and finally wild blueberries as the kaleidoscopic 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Patrimony reaches up from the glass. Cool and collected, this is a lesson in patience. The 2020 displays fantastic depth and elegance with textures of weighted velvet, yet it quickly firms up through an early onset of fine tannins. A flourish of sweet spice resonates, yet the experience remains clenched with youthful poise. This finishes long, airy and fresh yet still embryonic. Cellaring will be required, but I expect many great things to come.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Patrimony Cabernet Sauvignon was matured for 30 months in 100% new French oak. It takes time in the glass to give way from tar and graphite to reveal notes of licorice, violet, juniper and spearmint. The full-bodied palate is opulent with its concentrated core of dark fruit. It has powdery tannins and just enough acidity. It's somewhat coiled and less expressive due to the challenges of the vintage, and I would be inclined to drink it on the earlier side.
NHB. Deep ruby with purple hue. Blackberry, blueberry density, chew. Mouth-coating and HUGE – OTT. Needs so much time. Vanilla. Cedar. Texture is grippy and mouth-filling. I can't begin to score this properly – do I think it will be a beautiful wine in 2030? Absolutely I do. Can you drink it now? I'd bring a knife. I've estimated conservatively. (SCJ)
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is cut from the same cloth as the 2019, yet is perhaps richer and more expansive, with slightly less elegance. Currants, chocolate, toasted spices, and tobacco all define this beauty, and it has full-bodied richness, flawlessly integrated oak, good acidity, and a great finish. Anyone doubting the quality that can be achieved in Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles owes it to themselves to try one of these wines. What can be thought of as the flagship label from the Daou brothers, Patrimony includes four releases – varietal releases of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, and their Caves des Lions, which is a blend from a vineyard around the home of one of the brothers. These are the real deal and consistently rank with the finest Bordeaux varieties coming out of California today.