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2009 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon | Rated 90

WineSpectator.com, September 2012

"Very dark, rich and tarry, with black licorice, mocha and dried blackberry fruit that's also firmly tannic, ending with a chewy edge. Best from 2013 through 2022. 8,635 cases made.--J.L."

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Napa & Sonoma Cabernet 2009

_{Decanter Magazine, February 2013}

Decanter Recommends 2009 Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

"An almost floral element to the nose. Broad, lush, opulent, full-bodied, with black fruits and hefty tannins that give a chocolatey tone..."

2009 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon | Rated 90

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine - December 2012

"This full-throttle effort keys on ripeness and oak, and it has no sense of what brakes might be for, but it does manage to find its varietal way in spite of its sweetness and heat. Redolent of blackberries as much as of currants...but its richness more than makes up for its sins. Mid-term keeping seems the best course here, and it will surely tickle fans of the style when teamed up with well-seasoned oxtails and braised shanks of lamb." Rated 90

"Limited production and/or limited geographic distribution." "Cellar for future drinking. Wine will improve with bottle aging." "Medium Red. Balanced, good depth, medium tannin. Beef and lamb."

Click here to purchase 2008 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon.

2008 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon | Rated 90

WA#192 (Dec 2010)

"A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2008 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a dark ruby/purple color along with a lovely perfume of black currants, licorice and spice, an attractive texture, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and elegance combined with substance. This is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon to enjoy over the next 12-15 years." - Robert Parker

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2008 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon | Rated 92

Tasting Notes, June 15 2011

"Lots going on in this wine with tobacco, ripe fruit, and chocolate character. Full and velvety, with a point of alcohol at the finish. But it should come together nicely with a year or two of bottle age." -- James Suckling

2008 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon | Rated 91

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine - December 2011

"More often than not, Darioush Cabernets are among those that take ripeness and rich oak to the limit, but the 2008 version seems to be ever so slightly reined in and is principally guided by lots of very well-stated fruit. There is plenty of oak, to be sure, and the wine is not wanting in ripeness, yet it is the balance and equanimity of its parts that makes it so attractive now, just as its solidity and structure and firm, finely fit tannins are the sure guarantors of great longevity." Rated 91

"Generally available in most markets". "Cellar for future drinking. Wine will improve with bottle aging." "Medium Red. Balanced, good depth, medium tannin. Beef and lamb."

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Four Stars for 2007 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon

February 2011

2007 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon receives 4 stars "highly recommended" award in the Decanter panel tasting review of 2007 California Cabernet Sauvignon.

Click here to purchase 2007 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon.

94 Rating for 2007 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon

Vol. 6, No. 52 | Dec 22, 2010

2007 Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon - Rated 94 | $80

"Robust and potent, with ripe, dense blackberry, licorice, lead pencil, cedar and roasted herb flavors that are full-bodied and concentrated, all the while holding onto a tight focus and ending with a long, chewy, persistent finish. Best from 2013 through 2023.—J.L."

Purchase 2007 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon | Rated 93

WA#192 (Dec 2010)

"The beautiful 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is more complex with a more opulent texture, full-bodied richness and plenty of sweet black currant fruit intermixed with cedar, spice box and Asian spice. Drink this opulent 2007 now and over the next 15+ years." - Robert Parker

2007 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon | Rated 94

Wine Enthusiast Magazine - May 2011

"The winery's top bottling, and this vintage recalls the tremendous 2000. Tastes important right off the bat, althought it's obviously young and unintegrated. New, smokky oak dominates, with themes of ripe, concentrated blackberries and cassis, but the tannins are hard as nails. Wants and needs time. Best well after 2013, and should develop for years beyond. Cellar Selection.--S.H."

"Best of the Best" QRW's 27th Annual Blind Tasting

Five-Star California Cabernet Sauvignon

"We say it every year, but Cabernet Sauvignon is truly the prime poobah among all California wines, displaying, at their best, a richness and complexity that clearly set it apart from other Golden State rivals. As proof, we offer the following 24 standouts." Read More.

2007 Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Deep, rich, round, well-concentrated, coffee, plum and roasted nut flavors

Purchase 2007 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon

2007 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon | Rated 92

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine - April 2011

"A highly distinctive wine. Likely to be memorable"

"Here is the kind of wine about which controversy has suddenly sprung, for while it is high in oak and very ripe, it is also a deep and wonderfully well-structured wine. It will have spears hurled its way by those who drink nothing other than high-acid, low-alcohol wines, but, make no mistake, this noteworthy bottling has the complexity, the fruity substance and the layered interest that makes fine Cabernet famously prized, and it is balanced to grow for another decade or more." Rated 92

"Limited Production." "Cellar for future drinking. Wine will improve with bottle aging." "Medium Red. Balanced, good depth, medium tannin. Beef and lamb."

2007 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon ~ One of the Year's Most Exciting Wines

“Every year since 1988, Wine Spectator has compiled a list of the most exciting wines we’ve reviewed over the past 12 months. These 100 wines reflect significant trends, recognize outstanding producers and spotlight successful regions and vintages around the world.

In 2011, our list was selected from more than 16,000 new releases our editors rated in our independent blind tastings. More than 5,400 of these wines earned outstanding or classic ratings (90 points or higher on Wine Spectator's 100-point scale). We narrowed the list down based on four criteria: quality (represented by score); value (reflected by release price); availability (measured by cases made or imported); and what we call the “X-factor”–the excitement generated by a rising-star producer, a benchmark wine or a significant milestone for a wine region. But no equation determines the final selections: These choices reflect our editors’ judgment and passion about the wines we tasted." - Wine Spectator

View Wine Spectator's 2011 Top 100 at a Glance

Purchase 2007 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon (available in 1.5L's only)

A 91 Rating for 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine - December 2009

"A highly distinctive wine. Likely to be memorable"

"9% Merlot; 3% Cabernet Franc; 3% Malbec. Taking its usual place near the head of the class as far as sheer opulence and lavish oak are concerned, this year's offering from Darioush is as hedonistic and voluptuous as ever with so much deep fruit that it finds success in a style where success does not always come easy. Some will no doubt find it a bit over the top, but it has the balance and structure to improve with age, and it will never be accused of being wimpy or wan." 91 Points | $80

"Cellar for future drinking. Will improve with bottle aging" "Medium red, balanced, good depth, medium tannin, beef and lamb""Generally available in most markets_^."

Click here to purchase 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon.

Large Formats are available for a limited time.

2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Receives 93 Points

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine - April, 2008

"A highly distinctive wine. Likely to be memorable."

“Once again, Darioush races to the top of the listings with a big, rich, hedonistically overachieving Cabernet, but unlike last year’s 3 star winner, this one is somewhat tighter and age-demanding than its predecessor. It is in the nature of the 2005 vintage that it seems to produce somewhat less lush, plush wines, and there are those who will applaud and those who will miss the genuine juiciness of Darioush’s 2004. Because this wine seems to have a foot in two camps, we see more to like in the 2004, but there is no reason not to like this one as well.” 93 Points | $80

"Limited Production." "Medium red, balanced, good depth, medium tannin, beef and lamb." "Drinkable now. Further bottle aging can improve this wine."

Click here to purchase the 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon; Large Formats are available for a limited time.

Vintrust SOMM Selections Rates Cabernet Sauvignon & Russian River Chardonnay

2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Aroma - Tahitian vanilla, creme de cassis 15
Flavor - layers of plum, espresso, cream 15
Structure - complex, supple, ripe 14
Length - very long, forward finish 15
Balance - extremely well balanced 34

$79 | Drink: 2010-2025 | Score 93

"The cool consistent growing season in 2005 provided extended hang-time and even ripening, resulting in highly developed, concentrated flavors from the fruit on Darioush's three estate vineyards."

2005 Signature Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

Aroma - bright apple, mineral, lemon 15
Flavor - mineral, citrus, allspice 15
Structure - crisp, silky full body 14
Length - very long, lemon curd, oak 15
Balance - beautifully balanced, elegant 35

$48 | Drink: 2008-2016| Score 94

"Darioush's Chardonnay is aged in traditional French oak, retaining its chalky minerality and bright citrus flavors. If you can find this wine, grab it. It always sells out."

Wine Spectator's Tasting Highlights: 2005 Napa Cabernet

Wine Spectator, Tasting Highlights, July 21, 2008

'A dozen excellent Cabernets, but at prices that may very well break the bank' - James Laube

2005 Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - Rated 92 | $80.

'Intense, with firm tannins wrapped around a tight core of dried currant, anise, sage, cedar and mineral flavors. This has excellent structure, depth and focus, and it's so dense and closed now that cellaring is best advised. Best from 2010 through 2017. 9715 cases made. —J.L.' Read the complete article from Wine Spectator.

Click here to purchase the 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon.

Andreas Larsson | The Wine Guide

MY TOP PICKS

NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT AND RED BLENDS

2005 Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon

Young and still quite closed on the nose, hints of dark fruits, cherry and cigar box, the palate is full and structured, elegant dark fruit, well-balanced with a very long finish and refreshing tannins, good potential for development.

2005 Darioush Merlot

Young and elegant nose, wild berries, plum and tobacco, good structure, still young and firm tannins, a fine freshness underlines the fruit, some mineral notes and a long finish, well-balanced, good potential, quite Saint Emilion-like.

2004 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Awarded 95 Points by Connoisseurs' Guide

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine - April, 2007

"A world-class wine, superb by any measure, the top 1% to 2% of all wines tasted."

"Darioush Khaledi has proven to be the master of the rich, fleshy, full-bodied style, and once again, his winery delivers a bottling with a virtually unrivalled combination of intensity, drama and hedonistic pleasure. In its youth, the wine is at once both open and brooding, and its invitingly sensual aromas and flavors, while seeming to ask for early enjoyment, are far from fully developed. One can easily partner this lush wine with juicy filet mignons or a standing rib roast, but putting it in the cellar for half a decade or more seems the better idea." 95 points | $74.

"Limited Production." "Medium red, balanced, good depth, medium tannin, beef and lamb." "Drinkable now. Further bottle aging can improve this wine."

Quarterly Review of Wines ~ 23rd Annual California's Best of The Best

QRW- Summer Issue, 2007

'California Cabernet Sauvignon has never been better. As evidence, we offer the following 25 wines. There is not one among them we wouldn’t feel comfortable serving side by side with the best Bordeaux. They are truly “The Best.”'

2004 Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. Four Stars. 'Lush, ripe, juicy, round, blackberry, chocolate and nutty oak flavors.' $74.

Four Stars: Excellent: Wines of exemplary character and quality – benchmarks of their type.

2007 Japan Wine Challenge

Darioush Awarded Two Gold Medals - Japan Wine Challenge Magazine, Volume 17

The 10th Japan Wine Challenge took place at the Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo from Wednesday 25th to Friday 27th July 2007. With around 1,700 wines from 22 different countries, the Japan Wine Challenge is now firmly established as Asia’s most prestigious wine competition.　

2004 Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon - Gold Medal "Dark ruby colour with good weight and bright glossy appearance. Ripe blackcurrant fruit, fragrant spices, hints of chocolate and a powerful but balanced oak bouquet. The palate shows great balance between the sweet and spicy flavours and the fine-grained, almost dusty tannins."

2004 Darioush Signature Shiraz - Gold Medal
"Deep ruby and crimson. An elegant and restrained nose feauring violets and licorice alongside the ripe berry fruit aromas. A well balanced palate with masses of fruit and complexity without jamminess."

Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley: "A highly distinctive wine"

Connoisseurs' Guide - August 2006

"A highly distinctive wine. Likely to be memorable"

"There is so much rich oak, chocolate and dense, ripe cherry and currant fruit at work in this broad and enveloping Cabernet..." 92 points | $72

"Limited production" "Cellar for future drinking. Will improve with bottle aging" "Medium red, balanced, good depth, medium tannin, beef and lamb"

Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley awarded 90 points

Wine Spectator Insider - September 6, 2006

An exciting 2003, ripe, rich and vibrant, with juicy plum, currant and blackberry fruit that’s supple and harmonious, revealing layers of fruit complexity and finishing with a long, lingering aftertaste. Drink now through 2012. - James Laube. 90 points

From The Robb Cellar ~ Fine Wines and Spirits Worthy of a Place in Your Private Collection

Robb Report - January, 2007

"Winemaker Steve Devitt’s intense, vibrant Darioush Signature cabernet Sauvignon 2003 is pure Napa: big, beautifully structured, and full of fruit. With a spicy nose of sandalwood, cedar, blueberry, and violet, this delectable red fulfills the promise of its aromas with waves of warm boysenberry and cool blueberry fruit infused with sweet rose essences and smoky Lapsang souchong tea. ($68)"

Darioush 2003 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon: "A highly distinctive wine"

Connoisseurs' Guide - August 2006

"A highly distinctive wine. Likely to be memorable"

"There is so much rich oak, chocolate and dense, ripe cherry and currant fruit at work in this broad and enveloping Cabernet..." 92 points | $72

"Limited production" "Cellar for future drinking. Will improve with bottle aging" "Medium red, balanced, good depth, medium tannin, beef and lamb"

Darioush 2003 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon awarded 90 points

From The Robb Cellar ~ Fine Wines and Spirits Worthy of a Place in Your Private Collection

Robb Report - January, 2007

Read Full Article or View Article Online

Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Wine Spectator - November 15, 2005

"Dark and immense, with deeply concentrated currant, plum and black cherry fruit that’s accented by exotic spices…On the finish the fruit is still prominent with rich, chewy tannins and a dash of chocolate. Best from 2007 – 2014." —J.L. 91 points | $68

Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "a beauty"

The Wine Cask Blog Wine Reviews - April 2006

“Huge nose of blackberries and vanilla cream, rich concentrated core with notes of anise, vanilla custard, white chocolate, and oak finish with moderate chewy tannins….It’s a terrific wine; amazingly full-bodied and rich. With a huge nose and concentrated core, it shows a lot of plush and luxurious layers…Everyone at the table was enchanted, and the bottle went dry in a hurry.”

Darioush 2002 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Darioush 2002 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, Recommended

Decanter - January 2006

* * * "Recommended. Decanter panel tasting California Cabernet Sauvignon 2002. A surprise success for California's big-alcohol, big-fruit Cabernets from the underrated 2002 vintage : full marks to Napa...all the better - buy them now."

"Perfumed lavender over spiced fruit aromas. Bright, clean fruit, raspberry over a good firm structure, well balanced. 2-10 years." Janice Fuhrman.

Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Wine Spectator - November 2004

"Intense, with ripe, rich, vibrant fruit built around a core of currant, raspberry and blackberry along with a touch herb and cedary notes. Finishes with a sense of complexity and concentration. Drink now. 4,000 cases made."-J.L. $64 - 4000 cases made

Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon

Toronton Life, Drink: by David Lawrason - November 2004

* * * ½ "A modern classic with rich cassis-cherry fruit sewn into cedar and chocolate. The result is seamless, with very fine tannin."

A 2001 Vintage Retrospective Tasting

Wine Advocate, Aug 2011

2001 Darius II Cabernet Sauvignon 94+

2001 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 90+

"The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature (84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec) reveals a youthful dense, opaque ruby/purple color as well as classic notes of crème de cassis, melted licorice, espresso roast, spice box and a subtle touch of new oak. The tannins are still present, the wine possesses outstanding density and is clearly built for the long haul. It requires 2-4 more years of bottle age and is capable of lasting two decades."

"Even more impressive is the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Darius II, a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Still an infant, this opaque purple-colored wine offers up beautifully sweet loamy soil notes intermixed with crème de cassis, blueberry liqueur and brioche characteristics. There is more minerality in this impressively full-bodied effort along with stunning purity, depth and overall equilibrium. Give it another 4-5 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25-30 years. - Robert Parker

The 2001 vintages are sold out, but click to learn more about the current releases of Signature Cabernet Sauvignon and Darius II.

Both wines can be acquired with a First Offering Reservation, or sampled in the private tasting experience, By Invitation Only.

Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon awarded 94 points

June 2003

"Really smooth textured. Quite elegant as well, with sleek, complex layers of black currant, blackberry plum, black cherry, herb, chocolate, coffee, spice, toast and a beguiling hint of tar. The wine is incredibly complex and inviting, framed beautifully in velvety tannins. Long and lush on the finish, it's blended from grapes grown on Mt. Veeder, Atlas Peak and Napa Valley Floor. -J.M." 94 points
From "The Contenders; New Faces Alter Napa Valley's Cult Wine Landscape"

Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon awarded 2 stars

Volume 27 Issue 10: August 2003
Awarded 2 Stars

"Well-focused curranty fruit sits at the heart of the toasty, lightly loamy aromas of this young Cabernet, and the wine follows with similarly concentrated and attractive flavors of cassis, oak and dark soil spice. Built with a backbone of integrated tannins and balanced from front to back, it displays good polish even in its youth, and it strikes us as an outstanding candidate for drinking up in the next five to seven years rather than squirreling it away for a decade or more."

Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon awarded 94 points. The Top 100, the Most Exciting Wines of 2002

December 31, 2002

From "The Top 100: Our Editors Select the Most Exciting Wines of 2002",
Ranked Number 28 in 100
"Wonderfully rich intense and concentrated Cabernet, with neat layers of tightly focused currant, black cherry, anise, sage and cedary oak. Given all its flavor and richness, there's a sense of elegance and finesse. Well-integrated tannins provide an excellent balance to the rich flavors. Best from 2003 to 2012. 2,443 cases made. -J.L." 94 points

1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Rated 92 in Retrospective Tasting

Wine Spectator - November, 2009

1999 Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - Rated 92

"Complex and distinctive, this big, ripe and balanced red shows a mix of dried currant, blackberry, black cherry, lead pencil and mineral. Gets more interesting on the finish, where the earthy, leathery scents are more prominent. 1999 California Cabernet blind retrospective (2009). Drink now through 2014. 2,443 cases made. –JL"

Click here to see other top wines rated in 1999 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon retrospective.



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