Paul Lato
"Il Padrino" Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah
Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California, USA
Paul makes some of the best Syrah in the region, but I wish this one gave a little more. Maybe it was the vintage with a little late rain, this wine is very one dimensional - all about oak. Struggled to get much aromatics out of it, black olive, burnt toast, black cherry, and some pepper. Flavor is very rich with vanilla and oak barrel spiced.
Paul makes some of the best Syrah in the region, but I wish this one gave a little more. Maybe it was the vintage with a little late rain, this wine is very one dimensional - all about oak. Struggled to get much aromatics out of it, black olive, burnt toast, black cherry, and some pepper. Flavor is very rich with vanilla and oak barrel spiced.
Dec 16th, 2014
We had this right after the 2018 Strawberry Hills grenache. It was very good, but we thought the grenache was much better. Not sure if our palates were saturated, if the wine is in a bit of a dumb phase, or if it’s on the downslope, but this didn’t have the depth that I was expecting from this one. Still a terrific wine, though, so the streak continues of me never having a wine from Paul Lato that I have not enjoyed!
We had this right after the 2018 Strawberry Hills grenache. It was very good, but we thought the grenache was much better. Not sure if our palates were saturated, if the wine is in a bit of a dumb phase, or if it’s on the downslope, but this didn’t have the depth that I was expecting from this one. Still a terrific wine, though, so the streak continues of me never having a wine from Paul Lato that I have not enjoyed!
Oct 25th, 2020
Tasting blind, this fooled me, a lighter style Syrah, thought it was from Napa and maybe a merlot? Light color and great nose at first a short finish but started to open up.
Tasting blind, this fooled me, a lighter style Syrah, thought it was from Napa and maybe a merlot? Light color and great nose at first a short finish but started to open up.
Aug 21st, 2015
The lean 2011 from z block in bien naciedo is awesome and shows the micro climate well. Blueberries hide a restrained power of cocoa cola scorched earth. Just amazing what Paul created.
The lean 2011 from z block in bien naciedo is awesome and shows the micro climate well. Blueberries hide a restrained power of cocoa cola scorched earth. Just amazing what Paul created.
Jun 7th, 2015
Wow...it's incredible how elegant this wine is for being so young...and for being syrah...one of the most important winemakers of our generation.
Wow...it's incredible how elegant this wine is for being so young...and for being syrah...one of the most important winemakers of our generation.
Nov 24th, 2013