Paul Lato "Le Souvenir" Sierra Madre Vineyard Chardonnay 2017

98 points - limited                          Limited new Chardonnay from cult producer Paul Lato.  First time available! 98 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "From a site in the Santa Maria Valley and aged 15 months in 60% new French oak, the 2017 Chardonnay Le Souvenir Sierra Madre Vineyard from Lato offers a vivid gold color as well as a rocking bouquet of lemon curd, crushed rocks, white currants, spice box, and white flowers. Rich, powerful, and layered, yet also vibrant and racy, with beautiful purity and precision on the palate, it's one of the most seamless, flawlessly balanced wines in the lineup. It's brilliant today yet should evolve effortlessly." 97 Points Robert Parker: "Grapes for this wine come from a parcel of 24-year-old vines planted in sandy soils, and the wine was aged 15 months in 60% new French oak. Youthfully coiled, the 2017 Chardonnay le Souvenir Sierra Madre Vineyard has a mineral-driven nose that slowly, slowly opens up to saline, crushed shell, white peach, tiny touches of baking spice and nutmeg coming through from the amazingly integrated 75% new oak, lime skin, dried hay and leaves, elderflower and lemon curd - so, so many layers. Medium to full-bodied, it has a backbone of that signature pixelated texture and juicy acidity with layer upon flavor layer blossoming in the mouth, finishing very, very long and full of energy. Wow! Absolutely world class Chardonnay. That texture is unreal... ...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!"

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