2017 Paul Lato Chardonnay East of Eden Pisoni Vineyard
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2017 Chardonnay East of Eden Pisoni Vineyard comes from 36-year-old vines planted in granite and quartz and was aged for 15 months in 60% new French oak. It has a wonderfully open nose full of personality and layers: baked quince, pie crust, elderflower, warm white peach and apricot, autumn leaves and soft baking spices with honey toast, toasted hazelnut, Meyer lemon curd, crushed stone and red apple skin. Medium to full-bodied, it's stunningly textured with loads of flavor layers blossoming in the mouth, intense but pure and elegant flavors, seamless acidity and a very long, layered, energetic finish. This is one of the best Chardonnays I've ever had from California. Paul Lato calls this his "Corton." Only 90 cases were made.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Always one of my favorites in the lineup, the brilliant 2017 Chardonnay East Of Eden Pisoni Vineyard comes from a Grand Cru site on the southern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands and was barrel fermented and aged 15 months in 60% new French oak. It reveals a medium gold color as well as a liquid rock-like minerality in its crushed citrus, lemon curd, toasted spice, and grilled bread aromas and flavors. Deep, rich, concentrated, medium to full-bodied, and just sensationally textured, it's another magical wine from Paul Lato. I continue to be blown away by the wines of Paul Lato, and these are unquestionably some of the most profound and exciting wines coming from the Central Coast today. The lineup has grown substantially over the past decade, and Lato now releases upwards of five Chardonnays, six Pinot Noirs, two Grenaches, three Syrahs, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a Malvasia. Despite the number of wines, quality hasn’t slipped an inch, and the wines show incredible site and varietal typicity always paired with sensational fruit and balance. In short, don’t miss these wines!
Lato's Chardonnay East of Eden is especially fine in 2017. Tropical overtones, pineapple, orange confit, vanillin and passionfruit give the 2017 a decidedly exotic flavor profile to match its rich, unctuous feel. Plush and inviting, with soft contours and no hard edges, the 2017 is positively stellar. I loved it.