2010 Paul Lato Syrah Il Padrino Bien Nacido Vineyard
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That was certainly the case here. As they so often are, Paul Lato's 2010 Syrah Il Padrino Bien Nacido Vineyard was pure sophistication, elegance and class. A dash of Viognier and partial use of whole clusters came through in the wine's striking inner perfume. The audience loved it, and so did I. (AG)
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James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
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(aged in 100% new oak "because it could handle it; that's the only reason"): Opaque ruby. Sexy aromas of dark berry preserves, cherry-cola, Indian spices and potpourri. Intensely spicy raspberry and boysenberry flavors gain sweetness, smokiness and depth with air, picking up silky tannins and a note of allspice. The floral quality comes back strong on the finish, which is sappy, focused and impressively persistent.
One of the Lato flagship wines, the 2010 Syrah Il Padrino Bien Nacido Vineyard is simply stunning in this vintage. Layers of rich, dark fruit burst from the glass in this expressive, nuanced wine. Hints of bacon fat, crushed rocks, spices and tapenade emerge over time, but readers will have to wait at least another year or two before the wine's full personality emerges. Lato made the Padrino with the addition of 5% Viognier and used 20% whole clusters, the first time he has used stems in Syrah. The 100% new oak barrels are beautifully integrated. This is another utterly majestic wine from Paul Lato. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. Paul Lato's wines are imbued with passion and personality. This is another superb set of wines from one of California's hottest under-the-radar producers. This year, Lato has two new wines; a Chardonnay from Hilliard Bruce (for whom he also consults) and a Grenache from the Larner Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. All of these wines are made in tiny amounts, but they are well worth the effort of searching out. Tel. (805) 260-3210
Much more firm and structured than the Cinematique, the 2010 Paul Lato Syrah Il Padrino Bien Nacido Vineyard will need cellar time to fully flesh out and show all that it has. Checking in at 13.7% Alcohol, made with 15% whole-cluster, and aged in 100% new oak, this serious Syrah boasts top-flight aromas of smoked game, black pepper, meat juice, and slate like minerality that are all wrapped around a vibrant core of dark styled fruit. Full-bodied, dense, and seriously structured on the palate, with brilliant concentration, juicy acidity, masses of tannin, and an overall powerful, yet elegant profile, this superb Syrah should be forgotten for 3-5 years, and then consumed over the following 2 decades. 96+