2017 Paul Lato Pinot Noir The Prospect Sierra Madre Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Moving to the reds, the 2017 Pinot Noir The Prospect Sierra Madre Vineyard comes from a site in Santa Maria and was all destemmed and spent 15 months in 50% new French oak. Deep ruby/plum-colored with notes of smoked cherries, scorched earth, spice box, and forest floor, it hits the palate with a layered, multi-dimensional texture, seamless integration of its fruit, tannins, and acidity, a stacked mid-palate, and a great, great finish. It's a thrill a minute and can be drunk today or cellared for 7-8 years or more. I continue to be blown away by the wines of Paul Lato, and these are unquestionably some of the most profound and exciting wines coming from the Central Coast today. The lineup has grown substantially over the past decade, and Lato now releases upwards of five Chardonnays, six Pinot Noirs, two Grenaches, three Syrahs, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a Malvasia. Despite the number of wines, quality hasn’t slipped an inch, and the wines show incredible site and varietal typicity always paired with sensational fruit and balance. In short, don’t miss these wines!
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
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The Pinot Noir The Prospect is super-finessed in this vintage, with striking floral top notes, red cherry fruit and spice notes. Delicate and understated, with lovely balance, the 2017 has so much to offer. This is an especially nuanced, gracious style. Silky tannins round out the close.
Grapes for this wine come from 24-year-old vines planted in sandy soils, and it was aged for 15 months in 50% new French oak. Pale to medium ruby in color, the 2017 Pinot Noir The Prospect Sierra Madre Vineyard has a fantastic nose of pure, bright fruits—fresh blueberry, cranberry, red and black cherry and redcurrant—and licorice with perfumed earth, autumn leaves, cinnamon stick, rose petal, orange oil and a wicked spicy undercurrent with hints of dust, peppercorn, prosciutto and nutmeg. Beautifully delineated aromas! The palate is light to medium-bodied and wonderfully silky with oodles of flavor layers. It's framed by very ripe, fine, pixelated tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and spicy. This is absolutely gorgeous. It's so approachable and delicious now, but try and keep your paws off for a bit because this will be stunning in a few years. 150 cases were made.