Eye of the Falcon: Passion and Precision
The many falcons that soar over DAOU Mountain are nothing short of aerial marvels. They glide through the air with amazing grace, and nothing seems to escape their eye. And once they lock onto their target, there is nothing stopping them.
Our DAOU Reserve Eye of the Falcon is an ode to these magnificent birds of prey—and how they remind us of the skills of Winemaker Daniel Daou.
The story of Eye of the Falcon began when the DAOU hospitality team expressed a desire for Daniel to create a wine specifically for DAOU members and visitors, one that would exhibit a special expression of Cabernet Sauvignon.
“This wine has been a huge hit. It has resonated in so many ways, earning high critical acclaim and becoming a favorite of our members.”
When the time came to name the wine, DAOU Senior VP Maeve Pesquera suggested “Eye of the Falcon,” and the rest is history. “The name was inspired by Daniel’s keen eye for determining the best vineyard sites, the best blocks, and the best practices,” Maeve says. “This wine has been a huge hit. It has resonated in so many ways, earning high critical acclaim and becoming a favorite of our members.”
True to its creative origins, Eye of the Falcon is a unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%) and Petit Verdot (25%). The 2018 DAOU Reserve Eye of the Falcon offers complex aromas of black currant, cassis, sweet cherry and blackberry, with underlying layers of graphite, tobacco leaf, leather and wet gravel. Stunningly bright fruit flavors cascade across the palate, with impressions of juicy boysenberry, fresh blueberries and black currant accented by cedar, black plum and dried herbs.
“This wine is an all-time favorite in the tasting room,” Daniel says. “It is a different profile than the rest of our Cabernets because it comes from the valley floor, so it is a touch more round and floral.”
Daniel adds that Eye of the Falcon is aged in 80 percent new French oak barrels and is made exclusively from free-run juice. “There is no pressed juice, therefore the tannins are silky and integrated, allowing you to enjoy the wine upon release,” he says. “But make no mistake, this wine can also age for a very long time.”
