Truly one of the great overall lineups in Napa, today we share the beautiful wines and inspired tale of Darioush. The Darioush story is an inspired by the American dream. Northern Iran is one of the birthplaces of wine, as records from 5,000 B.C. indicate a nomad culture living there and celebrating wine. Darioush Khaledi was instilled at an early age with the winemaking craft of his father and began collecting fine wine at a young age. He migrated from Iran to the United States and owned what was once the largest family-owned grocery store business in California. His passion for wine met its apex in 1997 when he formed Darioush winery. Darioush Khaledi is an inspired American dream.
Following his business successes, Darioush set out to craft the best overall lineup of wines in Napa. Darioush not only created incredible success with his wines but he built what is one of the most beautiful wineries in the entire west coast. Upon entering the winery you are greeted by Persian inspired pillars that make you feel like you’re entering a royal palace. Imported travertine lines the entire winery and the calming water feature inside the winery really is something special. Outside during our visit we sat in a Provence inspired garden setting that felt a world away.
The new lineup of wines by Darioush was amazing across the board. I loved the new 2019 Darioush Viognier (WWB, 93) which has a great veil of tension and mouthfeel, making this really hard to resist right now. One of the best wines that I have sampled over the past year is their incredible pre-release Darius II, named after the historic Persian leader. The 2018 Darioush ‘Darius II’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 98) is a powerhouse wine that has incredible texture, richness and balance. I am absolutely enamored by this wine that has everything you want in a great Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Learn more about this special winery at darioush.com. Here are the great new wines by Darioush.
2019 Darioush ‘Sage Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- Sourced from this high elevation site, the soft texture of this wine catches you off guard, as rich honeydew melon and green apple flavors mingle with minerals and smoky undertones. The length and richness here is very good, as this is best enjoyed over the next several years. Drink 2020-2024- 91
2019 Darioush Viognier- The 2019 Darioush Viognier is a sensational wine sourced from the Oak Knoll appellation as this was aged in 40% new French oak for six months before bottling. Ripe pineapple, lychee, mango and banana tones give this an exotic edge on the palate. The combination of weight, mouthfeel and viscosity makes this nearly impossible to resist as this beautiful Viognier is best enjoyed over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2027- 93
2018 Darioush Chardonnay- Sourced from the Napa Valley, this opens with toasty brioche woven together with minerals, damp earth and ripe banana and baked apple that all mingle in the glass. The palate is plush, creating a seamless effect. Rich butterscotch and creme brûlée tones combine with minerals, wild mushrooms and Golden Delicious apple on the palate. Rich, yet showing a great mineral backbone, this delicious Chardonnay will cellar well over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2020-2028- 93
2018 Darioush Pinot Noir- Sourced from the Russian River Valley AVA, the 2018 Darioush Pinot Noir shows wonderful cranberry and cola tones that mingle with forest floor and suggestions of wild blackberry that all come together aromatically. The palate is dense, showing a good sense of freshness and a silky mouthfeel. Layers of rich red and dark fruits collide with minerals, underbrush and cola tones. Complex and utterly delicious to savor in its youth, the gorgeous 2018 Darioush Pinot Noir will cellar well over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2033- 94
2016 Darioush Shiraz- Rich, layered and decadent, the 2016 Dariosh Shiraz is a stunning wine by this great winemaking team. On the nose this shows. Bacon fat and rich dark fruits that collide with chocolate, mocha and minerals. The palate is plush, showing a great acid backbone that connects with the core of wild blackberry cobbler, coffee grounds, smoked pork shoulder and milk chocolate flavors. Full-bodied yet well-balanced, this beautiful new effort will enjoy another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 94
2018 Caravan Red Wine- The 2018 Caravan Red Wine is a silky blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec. Once on the nose this takes on layers of dark currants, tobacco leaf and cedar tones. The palate is soft and round, with ripe blackberries and black cherry flavors that meld with minerals, sweet pipe tobacco and anise. Complex and delicious even at the two year mark, this beautiful wine will have another ten years ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 91
2017 Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 Dariohsh Cabernet Sauvignon is a sensational blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, with equal parts Malbec and Petit Verdot from this somewhat challenging vintage in the Napa valley. Rich blackberry cordial and milk chocolate tones, with garrigue tones combine with loamy terroir on the nose. The palate is dense, with a great acid backbone. Layers of rich boysenberry preserves and creme de cassis are woven together with Turkish coffee, and blueberry compote on the palate. With great weight and length, this elegant yet rich Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2020-2035- 94
2016 Darioush ‘Sage Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 ‘Sage Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an utterly sensational new release from this storied Napa house. Sourced from this Mt. Veeder site, the wine shows black cherry cordial, blackberry compote, mocha and tar tones that all dance together in the glass. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a wonderful veil of tension. Light tannins combine with mocha, tar, anise and creme de cassis flavors with loamy terroir tones that all take shape in the glass. Dense and chewy, with a massive sense of structure and viscosity, the gorgeous 2016 ‘Sage Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon will enjoy a long life in the cellar Drink 2021-2040- 95
2018 Darioush ‘Darius II’ Cabernet Sauvignon (pre-release)— Named after the famed Persian ruler, the 2018 ‘Darius II’ is a masterpiece by the Darioush winemaking team. Aged for 20 months in 100% new oak, once on the nose this shows off exotic spices and blueberry compote, woven together with creme de cassis, anise, and earthy terroir tones that sing in unison. The palate is rich and viscous with incredible tension. Firm tannins line the core of dark currants and Turkish coffee tones that deftly combine with creme de cassis, blueberry cordial and suggestions of dried herbs on this exotic palate. The exceptional finish provides the resounding crescendo as this simply glorious wine will enjoy decades of life ahead of it. Drink 2022-2045- 98