Great NEWS, the much-anticipated wines from my friend and winemaker Paul Lato have arrived! The 2021 vintage is probably THE best he produced to date, with astonishing quality, but the smallest quantity ever. If you liked the 2020 vintage, you are going to want to JUMP on the 2021s as they are insanely good (great)!
As always, the Paul’s wines are first-come, first-served, and sell out quickly.
A little bit about the winemaker: Paul Lato was born in Poland. He worked as a certified Sommelier in one of Toronto’s most exclusive restaurants and visited California for the first time in the early 1990s. Jim Clendenen (owner of ABC winery & Clendenen wines) told Paul to just pack up and move here, and he would show him the ropes – a decade later he did make the move and took a job at Bien Nacido vineyards for just $10.00 per hour, he did get free “lodging” at the bunkhouse in the vineyard. The Bien Nacido owner pushed Paul to make his own wine. With some tutoring (he observed the best in the business for some years, asked a lot of questions, and experimented a lot) he made his first wines and by chance met Robert Parker. Parker asked him if “he” was the Polish Sommelier that makes wine and said that he wanted to taste it. Parker told him that he would tell him immediately if the wine was the real McCoy or…. (slang for excrement) Parker was blown away and gave Paul Lato a rave review. From then on, Paul’s new career was born.I met Paul in 2002 and have been a big fan since day one, and could say that we have become good friends along the way. Paul is also the winemaker for my Melis Family wines.
WE OFFER FREE SHIPPING ON ANY 12 BOTTLES OR MORE, USE CODE PAULLATO DURING CHECKOUT
Here is “the amazing” 2021 vintage list:
Paul Lato 2021 “Lancelot” Pinot Noir, Pisoni Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands Retail 115.00 – GGWC 109.99
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Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points (2019): ”The 2019 Pinot Noir Lancelot Pisoni Vineyard is the more mineral-driven wine of the lineup and has a brilliant, lifted nose of wild strawberries, white flowers, orange blossom, and crushed stone. Beautiful on the palate, this medium to full-bodied 2019 has a solid spine of acidity, notable tannins, and flawless balance. It offers incredible pleasure today yet will be at its best in 6-12 months and have a decade of longevity.”
Paul Lato Notes: “Aromas of cherry and boysenberry, along with hints of crushed stone and lavender jump out of the glass. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep, and concentrated, with a viscous core of dark fruit, youthful yet polished tannins, and a long sapid finish. Enjoy the robust fruit now, or watch it age gracefully for many years to come.”
Paul Lato 2021 “Suerte” Pinot Noir, Solomon Hills Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley Retail 100.00 – GGWC 94.99
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Jeb Dunnuck 95+ Points (2020): “The 2020 Pinot Noir Suerte Solomon Hills Vineyard comes from a great, tiny site outside of Santa Maria and was destemmed and spent 17 months in 52% new French oak. It has some classic Santa Maria minerality and marine-like iodine nuances as well as darker cherry and berry fruits, notes of baking spices, chocolate, and loamy earth, medium to full body, a round, concentrated mouthfeel, and a great finish. This rich, serious effort will benefit from just a year or two of bottle age and should have a decade of prime drinking.”
Paul Lato Notes: “The nose is intense, with notes of blueberry, potpourri, and forest floor. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with flavors of dark fruit, red velvet, and baking spices. The tannins are fine-grained, and the finish is long and satisfying. “
Paul Lato 2021 “Stand by Me” Pinot Noir, Drum Canyon Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills Retail 100.00 – GGWC 94.99
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Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points (2020): “More exotic notes of candied strawberries, red plums, violets, new leather, and exotic flowers all define the bouquet of the 2020 Pinot Noir Stand By Me Drum Canyon Vineyard, another rich, medium to full-bodied, concentrated, floral, nicely structured Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir. I like its tannins, and like many of Lato's 2020s, it has good structure and a more focused, chiseled style that should reward a year or two of bottle age.”
Paul Lato Notes: “The most fragrant and exuberant wine in the lineup, the 2021 "Stand by Me" opens with complex aromas of blueberry compote, black cherry, and jasmine. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and silky, with bright acidity and gentle tannins. The finish is long and complex, with a hint of minerality that adds depth and dimension. Reminiscent of Vosne-Romanée, Stand by Me has a perfect balance of weight, structure, elegance, and longevity. “
Paul Lato 2021 “Seabiscuit” Pinot Noir, Zotovich Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills Retail 90.00 – GGWC 84.99
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Jeb Dunnuck 96+ Points (2020): “Looking at the Sta. Rita Hills releases, the 2020 Pinot Noir Seabiscuit Zotovich Vineyard has a complex bouquet of spiced red berry fruits as well as forest floor, loamy earth, baking spices, and some sea-like brine and iron nuances. Beautiful on the palate, it's tight, structured, and focused, with medium to full-bodied richness, present tannins, and a great finish. It needs a year or two, but this is brilliant juice.”
Paul Lato Notes: “The 2021 Zotovich Pinot Noir is a delightful wine, showing bright red fruit flavors of cranberry and raspberry, with subtle notes of sandalwood. The palate is refined and zesty, with a lovely balance of fruit and acidity. The finish is long and complex, revealing additional layers of elegance and nuance. “
Paul Lato 2021 “Victor Francis” Pinot Noir, Peake Ranch Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills Retail 90.00 – GGWC 84.99
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Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points (2020): “The 2020 Pinot Noir Victor Francis Peake Ranch Vineyard comes from the eastern, warmer side of the appellation and was destemmed and brought up in 75% new French oak. It has plenty of ripe cherry and framboise-like fruit as well as medium to full body, notes of dried herbs, flowers, and loamy earth, silky tannins, terrific overall balance, and one heck of a great finish. An incredibly complete, balanced, seamless Pinot Noir, it's going to drink spectacularly well for a solid 10-12 years.”
Paul Lato Notes: “Aromas of red and black cherries, violets, and rose petals leap from the glass. The palate is layered and plush, with a long, lingering finish. The 2021 “Victor Francis” is a gorgeous wine that showcases the beauty and complexity of the Sta. Rita Hills, and will only improve with age. “
Paul Lato 2021 “Duende” Pinot Noir, Gold Coast Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley Retail 90.00 – GGWC 84.99
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Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points (2020): "Leading off the Pinot Noirs, the 2020 Pinot Noir Duende Gold Coast Vineyard comes from Santa Maria and was destemmed and spent 12 months in 50% new barrels. Its medium ruby hue is followed by a big, boisterous bouquet of ripe strawberries, framboise, spring flowers, and sappy herbs. This fruit-loaded, sexy, forward, seamless effort is one of the more approachable and ready-to-go in the lineup, yet it still has good acidity as well as tannins.”
Paul Lato Notes: “Our 20th vintage of “Duende” opens with the classic fragrant perfume of Santa Maria. Wild strawberry, Bing cherry, and a touch of spice engage the senses for this soft and supple wine. On the palate, the wine displays a silky texture and vibrant acidity, leading to a long and velvety finish."
Paul Lato 2021 “East of Eden” Chardonnay, Pisoni Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands Retail 105.00 – GGWC 99.99
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Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points (20202): “Coming from the Santa Lucia Highlands and brought up in 60% new French oak, the 2020 Chardonnay East of Eden Pisoni Vineyard is another stunner, offering a mineral-laced bouquet of stone fruits, chalky minerality, white flowers, and toasted bread. With incredible purity, medium to full body, and perfectly integrated acidity, it brings remarkable intensity and richness while staying vibrant, balanced, and light on its feet, with flawless balance. It picks up a liqueur of rocks-like sensation aromatically and on the palate with time in the glass (I followed this bottle for multiple days) and will drink brilliantly over the coming 7-8 years, although there's no need to delay gratification.
Paul Lato Notes: “Complex, beautiful, refined, perfumed. Vibrant flavors harmonize seamlessly with floral notes of linden and jasmine, and fruit aromas of lemon drop and apricot, held together by crushed stone minerality. An abundance of flavor condensed into a refined, yet powerful package, this wine will inspire you from beginning to end.”
Paul Lato 2021 “Le Souvenir” Chardonnay, Sierra Madre Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley Retail 90.00 – GGWC 84.99
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Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points (2020): “From a great site outside of Santa Maria, the 2020 Chardonnay Le Souvenir Sierra Madre Vineyard is another ripe, powerful Chardonnay revealing musky notes of melon, honeyed lemon, toasted bread, and hints of almond paste and chalky minerality. Full-bodied, concentrated, and layered on the palate, it stays remarkably light on its feet, has good acidity, and a great finish that picks up some classic Santa Maria salinity and minerality. It's not for those looking for Chablis, but it’s beautifully done and a gorgeous California Chardonnay to drink over the coming 4-6 years.”
Paul Lato Notes: “This wine possesses a powerful and exuberant nose of brioche and lemon zest, with hints of vanilla and spice. It is dry, yet plenty rich in its taste, with a medium plus body, voluptuous and round texture, and nuances of minerals. The seamless integration of new French oak provides plenty of structure, and leads into a gracefully dry finish, inviting you to take another sip.”
Paul Lato 2021 “Done and Done” Chardonnay, Rincon Vineyard, Arroyo Grande ValleyRetail 80.00 – GGWC 74.99
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Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points (2020): “The lightly hued 2020 Chardonnay Done & Done Rincon Vineyard comes from the Arroyo Grande and was brought up in 50% new barrels. It has a beautiful, exotic array of acacia flowers, honeyed orange blossom, crushed citrus, and white flowers, with just a kiss of background toasty oak and chalky minerality. Ripe, opulent, and beautifully textured, it stays lively and fresh on the palate, with good acidity and a great finish.”
Paul Lato Notes: “This vintage of Done & Done offers intriguing aromas of honeysuckle, apricot, and river rock. It will entice you with flavors of bright peach, honey, pear, and creamy marshmallow. This medium-bodied wine is balanced with good acidity—making it lovely on its own or perfect with food. The rich and delicious finish provides the perfect end to this delightful wine.”
Paul Lato 2021 “It's All Good” Chardonnay, Oliver's Vineyard, Edna ValleyRetail 80.00 – GGWC 84.99
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Vinous 94 Points (2020): “The 2020 Chardonnay Talley Oliver’s Vineyard It’s All Good is a powerful, dense wine. Orange confit, tropical fruit, spice, marzipan, and a kiss of French oak are front and center. This is an especially dense, tropical Chardonnay endowed with serious concentration, but it all works so well.”
Paul Lato Notes: “Growing in sandy clay loam in the Edna Valley, these 30-year-old vines produce Chardonnay of great balance and complexity. Opening with youthful aromas of white peach, river rock, and almond flowers on the nose. It's lively, caressing palate is a seamless balance of crisp Fuji apple and salted caramel. It is a wine of allurement, with a gentle silky texture, sustained by a powerful structure. Finishes with a diamond-like acidity with a hint of spice and hazelnut.”
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Call 415-337-4083 (landline, please do not text here – we will not receive
it)
email frank@ggwc.com for availability and priority allocation