Based on 100% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Cabernet Franc reveals a dense purple hue to go with a gorgeous, classic Cabernet Franc bouquet of ripe black fruits, chocolate, sappy spring flowers, and iron, with a distinct sense of minerality on both the nose and palate. Pure, focused, and beautifully balanced, with ultra-fine tannins and a thrilling finish, outside of a few wines in Napa and Washington, it's the finest expression of Cabernet Franc from the New World. 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.

Still in barrel, the 2018 Cabernet Franc takes time to open to floral perfume and notes of iron, cigar ash and cedar over a core of red and black cherry fruit. The medium to full-bodied palate is firm and detailed, packed with nuanced, uplifted fruits and finishing long and perfumed. It's always struck me that the real star at Daou is Cabernet Franc. This is expected to age a total of 30 months in 100% new French oak.

Glass-staining ruby. Deep-pitched black and blue fruit and floral qualities on the nose, complemented by suggestions of vanilla, woodsmoke and succulent herbs. Chewy and youthfully taut on the palate, offering intense bitter cherry, black currant, licorice and espresso flavors that steadily become sweeter with aeration. Finishes impressively long and precise, with fine-grained tannins adding framework and final grip. Aged in new French oak barrels for 30 months.