Paul Lato 2023 Pinot Noir Stand By Me   

2023 Paul Lato Pinot Noir “Stand By Me”, Drum Canyon Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills

San Francisco Wine Panel Score 98+ Points

As impressive as its great vintage promises, this lovely Pinot Noir showcases a brilliant vineyard as well as the work of a great winemaker. The aromas are a deep, graceful, focused medley of sour dark cherry, cranberry sauce, hibiscus aqua fresca, black raspberry, lingonberry jam, star anise, mace, baking spice, black tea and sweet tobacco along with gradually emerging suggestions of cinnamon, pink peppercorn and red rose. These elements are as all forthcoming on the palate, where notably bright fruit, polished tannins and pretty oak harmonize to create a memorable flavor profile that soars above a wonderfully supple texture. The finish is lingering and vibrantly youthful, with tannins kept well in the background to make drinking pleasure immediately available. Nevertheless, the wine will be even more seductive after another three years in the cellar.