This hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind gift features our estate's crown jewel, Darius II Cabernet Sauvignon alongside a set of two hand-painted crystal tumblers by Vienna-based craftsmen, Lobmeyr. These delicate works were commissioned to highlight and complement the artwork adorning our 2021 vintage release, in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum of London.
A study in power and poise, 2021 Darius II embodies all the remarkable traits of a textbook Napa Valley vintage. Captivating aromas of dark berry fruit, espresso crema, and Belgian chocolate set the stage for a seamless, beautifully textured wine experience highlighting delineated flavors of blackberry purée and cassis commingling with savory notes of thyme and bay leaf.
The Crown Jewel of the Darioush Estate, Darius II is a refined, age-worthy collectible that captures the singular and exceptional qualities of each vintage from our Napa Valley vineyards. The time-honored artworks selected for each label span thousands of years of creativity and reflect the craftsmanship and integrity of Darius II.
THE LABEL ART
The intricate pattern featured on the 2021 Darius II label was sourced from an 1860 watercolor British architect-designer, Owen Jones (1809-74). With a respect for the cultural significance behind every design element, Jones works meticulously documented patterns and motifs spanning centuries and civilizations—often honoring the refined beauty of ancient Persian artistry. He asserted that design, at its core, is a language that transcends boundaries, connecting us to the rich tapestry of human culture—a metaphor that is embraced in winemaking.
Our 22-acre Sage Vineyard estate, perched atop Mount Veeder, is comprised of 30 distinct vineyard blocks of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, each with unique soil, water, and sun aspects. Modeled to compete with the finest blends from France, Tuscany, and beyond and produced only in certain vintages, these wines are powerful, polished, and uniquely site- and vintage-expressive, displaying the complex aromas and flavors of their varietals and hillside origins.