2014 Paul Lato Chardonnay Belle de jour Duvarita Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (6) Avg Score: 93.1 points

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  8/1/2023 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 Points

  Ornellaia Dinner (Stefani Prime - Lincolnwood IL): Popped-and-poured, I found this difficult to fully appreciate. Some tropical fruit with floral elements, this seemed opulent but there was a nearly tart finish with a clear bitter note that seemed out of place.

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  7/10/2023 - Backdoctor wrote: 92 Points

  awesome chard, not over oaked,

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  9/24/2020 - jshufelt wrote: 94 Points

  Pop and pour. In the glass, pale, very slightly cloudy yellow. On the nose, Meyer lemon, oak, and something in the background like fresh mown grass? Hard to identify. On the palate, mouth-filling citrus fruit, a bit of smoky oak, and baked peach - and it's that last note that really elevates this wine to another level. Full disclosure - I seem to get quite happy with any wine that shows a bit of peach, but that's usually a syrah with a bit of viognier in the mix. Wasn't expecting it here, but it really works. Great with spicy shrimp, mango salsa, and coconut rice.

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  2/18/2020 - Backdoctor wrote: 96 Points

  A simply stunning chard from Paul Lato. It wowed everyone.

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  8/24/2017 - msuwine Likes this wine: 96 Points

  This powerful and layered Chardonnay is the best CA white I have tasted that was made outside of Sonoma County; it is simply great. This wine has the intensity and depth that I've come to love with wines by Paul Lato, an amazing talent that - even if he works off the beaten path - produces wines that belong in the conversation with Aubert, Peter Michael, and other CA Chardonnay royalty.
  
  As to the specifics: Light gold in color; medium in body; evocative nose of lemon, peach, ocean air, and vanilla bean. Tastes of grapefruit, orange peel, beeswax, and almond, with a nervy and lingering finish. 14.4% alcohol. This has plenty of time ahead of it, and I imagine it will be better in 2018 or 2019.
  
  For what it's worth, this wine destroyed a Sea Smoke Chardonnay from the same year that I tasted on the same night. Although the wines were from the same area, they belong in different leagues. The Sea Smoke was a traditional malo / oak CA Chardonnay (and I don't think there's anything wrong with that), but the Lato was far more energetic, fresh, and complex. The Lato had the same power, but it had a different level of grace.
  
  To be sure, there is an intensity in Lato's wines that may not be for everyone; it may over-power more subtle dishes. Then again, I try to find producers that provide something no one else does, and Lato's wines have a core that is completely captivating. For example, the center of this wine is tightly coiled fruit, minerality, and energy. I don't mean to wax poetic, but some wines are exciting - and this is one of them.

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