Decanted 30 minutes before service - three hours might have been better. In the glass, medium ruby-red with the faintest shading of auburn at the rim, dark ruby-red at the core. On the nose, crushed cherries. On the palate, black cherries, plums, nutmeg with hints of lemon thyme, and traces of potpourri, with tannins asserting themselves on a long finish. I don't recall a Paul Lato pinot with this much tannic structure at this age - wish I had more bottles to see where this one is headed. As it is, this is a very nice pinot right now.
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This candied and sweet Pinot is drinkable enough, but I expected a lot more at the six-year mark. Light red in color; medium in body; nose of sour cherry, raspberry, and cough syrup. Flavors of fresh strawberry, candied walnuts, cola, and spice cake, with a pleasant and lingering finish. 14.2% alcohol. Decant at least an hour.
Paul Lato makes a tremendous number of wines, many of which I've purchased over the years. I prefer the Chardonnays, and - as for the Pinots - I think that the Pisoni is solid (cough, vineyard) and who knows as to the rest. I drank this on the same night as a 2014 Bergstrom, which showed the lack of sweetness that you expect from Oregon Pinot - but far more complexity and nuance. In contrast, the Lato wine seemed sugary and loud. I'm generally a defender of California Pinot, but sometimes the critics are right...
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Darker fruited pinot that is tasty but not as energetic as I would hope. Wife really liked but I'd only put it into my good not great category. Didn't finish the bottle - bit better 2nd day.
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Have been fortunate to have many Lato Pinots over the years and the 2011 and 2013 Solomon Hills offerings were stupendous. The 2012 and this 2014, not so much. We liked it for sure, but our Lato expectations have been raised considerably over the years so that may have held down this score. It was good to go on opening and was enjoyable if not memorable. Not a ton of complexity but nice red fruit flavors, short finish, good classic Ca Pinot just not stellar especially for the price.
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I continue to like all of the Paul Lato pinots. This was a hair thinner and more acidic than some of the others, so not scored quite as highly. But drank stand alone over a couple hours and it opens up nicely. Good drinking.
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5/16/2022 - jshufelt wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 30 minutes before service - three hours might have been better. In the glass, medium ruby-red with the faintest shading of auburn at the rim, dark ruby-red at the core. On the nose, crushed cherries. On the palate, black cherries, plums, nutmeg with hints of lemon thyme, and traces of potpourri, with tannins asserting themselves on a long finish. I don't recall a Paul Lato pinot with this much tannic structure at this age - wish I had more bottles to see where this one is headed. As it is, this is a very nice pinot right now.
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12/24/2021 - levinml wrote: 93 Points
Drank over two nights. Could be my everyday nice pinot at this P/Q ratio. Everything good and in balance. Drinking well and for a while yet..
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3/25/2021 - CRUSHER Likes this wine: 95 Points
dark cherry and strawberry
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2/24/2021 - msuwine wrote: 90 Points
This candied and sweet Pinot is drinkable enough, but I expected a lot more at the six-year mark. Light red in color; medium in body; nose of sour cherry, raspberry, and cough syrup. Flavors of fresh strawberry, candied walnuts, cola, and spice cake, with a pleasant and lingering finish. 14.2% alcohol. Decant at least an hour.
Paul Lato makes a tremendous number of wines, many of which I've purchased over the years. I prefer the Chardonnays, and - as for the Pinots - I think that the Pisoni is solid (cough, vineyard) and who knows as to the rest. I drank this on the same night as a 2014 Bergstrom, which showed the lack of sweetness that you expect from Oregon Pinot - but far more complexity and nuance. In contrast, the Lato wine seemed sugary and loud. I'm generally a defender of California Pinot, but sometimes the critics are right...
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5/24/2020 - yeti575rider wrote: 90 Points
Darker fruited pinot that is tasty but not as energetic as I would hope. Wife really liked but I'd only put it into my good not great category. Didn't finish the bottle - bit better 2nd day.
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3/9/2020 - ozziewine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Have been fortunate to have many Lato Pinots over the years and the 2011 and 2013 Solomon Hills offerings were stupendous. The 2012 and this 2014, not so much.
We liked it for sure, but our Lato expectations have been raised considerably over the years so that may have held down this score.
It was good to go on opening and was enjoyable if not memorable.
Not a ton of complexity but nice red fruit flavors, short finish, good classic Ca Pinot just not stellar especially for the price.
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12/31/2019 - Beezc Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very aromatic and drinking beautifully.
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9/28/2019 - levinml wrote: 92 Points
I continue to like all of the Paul Lato pinots. This was a hair thinner and more acidic than some of the others, so not scored quite as highly. But drank stand alone over a couple hours and it opens up nicely. Good drinking.
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6/5/2019 - zinnut wrote: 93 Points
A great example of Central Coast Pinot. It's not Burgundy and it was never intended to be. If you want Burgundy you should go elsewhere.
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10/15/2018 - Dr Root Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Too young.
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3/9/2018 - fournet wrote: 92 Points
I consistently enjoy Paul Lato pinots. This one is more tart than typical for his wines.
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