“Soul of a Lion is named for our father Joseph, who exhibited unwavering love, passion and courage throughout our lives together. That pursuit of the extraordinary drove us to discover DAOU Mountain—and to embark on a dream decades in the making.” - Georges J. Daou

The hunt is over. The culmination of a nine year journey of passionate curation, Soul of a Lion is the pride of the family, inspired by and a tribute to the man that made it all possible. The 2019 Soul of a Lion is a blockbuster vintage that showcases how Bordeaux varieties are remarkably suited to the elevated terroir of DAOU Mountain. This is the story of two sons, their beloved father, and a wine named Soul of a Lion…

2019 produced possibly the greatest vintage DAOU Mountain has ever experienced, with heavy rains during dormancy, moderate temperatures and extended hang time yielding a mighty harvest. The ample winter rainfall—close to 40 inches total—gave way to a healthy cover crop that replenished the soil’s micronutrient levels. The climate throughout the growing season was perfect, with temperatures mostly in the 80s and 90s, and not a single day reaching 100 degrees during the entire year. The harvested grapes arrived in exquisite condition, showing no damage, sunburn or shriveling. The resulting wines are marked by elegance and power, with moderate alcohols and great acidity that promise excellent longevity.

“This wine explodes from the glass with a kaleidoscope of aromas and flavors, including blackberry, blueberry, blackcurrant, dark cherry, sweet tobacco and licorice. An added floral dimension imparts an integrated sense of elegance and freshness. While full-bodied with ultra-high phenolic levels, this wine maintains its evenness and poise through an extraordinarily long finish. Structured, balanced and powerful, the 2019 Soul of a Lion will reveal its full magnitude after several years of careful cellaring.” - Daniel J. Daou