2017 Paul Lato ‘Cinematique’ Syrah Larner Vyd. Ballard Canyon

“A great California success story, Polish immigrant Paul Lato started as a cellar hand in a Santa Maria co-op/custom crush and has worked his way up to being one of the leading producers of artisanal, world class wines in California today. Lato fashions a bevy of wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. These aren’t lightweight wines, yet they never lose their sense of balance and elegance. I always describe the wines as having a slightly Old World style, but with one foot planted firmly in California. Incredible wines across the board.” Jeb Dunnuck

Paul Lato: All the greatest wines possess authenticity, harmony, and elegance. These are the qualities I constantly try to capture in my wines. The ultimate goal is to create wines that are seamless and textural with enough structure and balance to complement fine cuisine. In order to make wines of the highest caliber, I select unique vineyards that are cared for by talented vineyard managers committed to excellence. I strive to locate and source from not only the best vineyards but the best blocks within each of these vineyards. I do believe that true artisanal winemaking is based on intuition, sensitivity and passion. Keeping the lots small allows for gentle handling throughout the winemaking process.

JD97 Leading off the two Syrahs, the 2017 Syrah Cinematique comes from a great vineyard in the Ballard Canyon AVA and was destemmed and aged 20 months in 60% new French oak. Sexy notes of black raspberries, vanilla bean, bay leaf, ground pepper, and hints of crushed violets all emerge from this incredibly seamless, elegant, ethereal Syrah. Medium to full-bodied, deeply colored, and concentrated, it’s no small wine, yet it always has a graceful, elegant style that builds beautifully with time in the glass. It has enough tannins to benefit from a year or three of bottle age and will drink brilliantly over the following decade or more.

WA95 The 2018 Syrah Cinematique Larner Vineyard, co-fermented with 5% to 7% Viognier, has a deep ruby-purple color and pure scents of cassis, coffee beans, lavender, garrigue and bay leaves. The palate is full-bodied, plush, open for business and packed with ripe, chocolaty fruits. It has a firm but ripe frame, well-woven freshness and a long, flavorful finish. It’s gregarious and immediately accessible, although it will age well in bottle.