DARIOUSH DISTINCTION

The Crown Jewel of the Darioush estate, Darius II captures the diverse and

exquisite beauty within each vintage. With an uncompromising commitment to

crafting a wine with complexity, composure and refinement, Darius II is the

hallmark of the Darioush style.

ABOUT THE VINTAGE

Fortitude and resilience best describe the 2018 vintage of Darius II. Following the

devastating 2017 wildfires, we decided to forgo bottling our estate’s crown jewel for

the first time ever. Perhaps it is Mother Nature’s need for redemption that the 2018

growing season was idyllic, a textbook season, for producing exceptional Cabernet

Sauvignon. Abundant winter rains naturally invigorated the vines, and budbreak

occurred during pristine spring weather, resulting in a generous and beautifully even

crop from the start. Mild temperatures and a lack of climactic drama well into

autumn enabled the slow, complete, and even maturities necessary to cultivate wines

with great composure, grace, and complexity. With dozens of beautiful vineyard and

barrel lots to choose from, the challenge was deciding which to exclude from the

final blend. Ultimately, a small contribution of Sage Vineyard Cabernet Franc was

selected to complement the gorgeous expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from our

winery estate’s Apadana Block.

TASTING NOTES

Demonstrating extraordinary composure, energy, and depth, 2018 Darius II is

teeming with dense, vibrant flavors of cassis, black fruits, minerals, and a savory sage

and wild thyme component. The captivating aromatics consist of crushed

blueberries, bay leaf, medium-roast coee, and candied violets. Expressive in its

youth, with refined, succulent tannins, 2018 Darius II will undoubtedly reveal

further detail and elegance for the patient collector over a decade or two.

THE LABEL ART

London-born John Henry Dearle rose to Chief Designer of the legendary firm,

Morris & Co, under the tutelage of William Morris himself. Known as the father of

progressive pattern in the Victorian era, Morris revived practices lost to the passage

of time— emphasizing the use of quality raw materials and hand processing in

textiles. Observing the natural world first-hand and influenced by a study of ancient

patterns of Persia, Dearle’s motifs convey strong symmetry with flourishes of color,

aptly suited to the technique of weaving. His 1890s masterpiece, Apple, now resides

in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.