2017 Paul Lato Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard Lancelot Santa Lucia Highlands

"Sometimes I call it the beast," says Paul Lato of the 2017 Pinot Noir Lancelot Pisoni Vineyard, which comes from 36-year-old vines planted in granite and quartz and aged for 17 months in 60% new French oak. Pale to medium ruby, it has wonderfully evolving layers on the nose: from potpourri, dried bark, orange peel and amaro, to blueberry, raspberry, rhubarb, warm wild blackberries and strawberry preserves, to perfumed dusty earth, nutmeg, mineral hints and black tea leaves. It's medium to full-bodied and silky textured, slowly blossoming in the mouth to savory, broody, spice-laced dark fruits. It's framed by firm, finely grained tannins and great opposing freshness, finishing long, savory, textured and perfumed. So good! 340 cases were made. Review Date: February 2020