Paul Lato 2022 Chardonnay Le Souvenir   

2022 Paul Lato Chardonnay Le Souvenir, Sierra Madre Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley

San Francisco Wine Panel Score 97+ Points

Expressive, yet notably unfinished still, the opening aromas of this notoriously age-worthy Chardonnay center on fresh apple, quince paste, grapefruit pith, white peach, toasted hazelnut nougat and nutmeg that rise above an undercurrent of hard minerality. It is extremely youthful and zesty-minerally in the mouth, and shows but a hint of the harmony to come, while somewhat aggressive flavors that mirror the nose dominate. As the wine airs, the finish is revealed to be extremely long, and it layers in its flavors with some polished elegance. In the finish, lemon cream pie, grapefruit pith, vanilla wafer, honey and flint are all near center stage and the wine’s oaky spice makes a grander contribution. It is impressive now, yet two or three more years of cellaring should bring it, as in the past, toward a more Burgundy-like elegance. 192 cases produced.