2022 Paul Lato Pinot Noir Suerte, Solomon Hills Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley

San Francisco Wine Panel Score 98 Points

As rich as could be hoped, although slow to fully express itself in the mouth, the 2022 “Suerte” ultimately proves to be yet another great vintage from this vineyard. The aromas are a bright, expressive, focused medley of sweet dark cherry, raspberry, pomegranate syrup and lingonberry scents that rise above others of Campari, cherry pit, red rose, baking spice, mace and sweet dark tobacco. With extended airing it proves both attractively tongue coating and impressively long on the finish, while the deep fruit and spice complexities and expected textural weight, gradually become as impressive as the aromas suggest. When they do, they bring this bottling’s seductive generousity and harmony fully into play. If two to four years from its full expression, this beauty could well prove to be a great Pinot at maturity. 236 cases produced.