2023 PAUL LATO SEABISCUIT ZOTOVICH VINEYARD STA. RITA HILLS PINOT NOIR

2023 PAUL LATO SEABISCUIT, ZOTOVICH VINEYARD, STA. RITA HILLS, PINOT NOIR, CALIFORNIA. 100% Pinot Noir.

95 pts Jeb Dunnuck: "As with all Lato's Pinot Noirs, the 2017 Pinot Noir Seabiscuit Zotovich Vineyard was completely destemmed, and this cuvée was brought up in 60% new French oak, which is on the higher end for Lato. This rich, medium to full-bodied, Burgundian styled effort is another wine that's going to benefit from short-term cellaring yet offers a brilliant bouquet of black raspberries, ground herbs, earth, and underbrush notes, with just a hint of classic Sta. Rita Hills salinity and minerality. Showing more floral nuances with time in the glass, give bottles 2-3 years in the cellar and it will shine through 2032."

94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2017 Pinot Noir Seabiscuit Zotovich Vineyard comes from 17-year-old vines planted in diatomaceous earth and sandy loam, and the wine aged for 17 months in 60% new French oak. It's medium ruby-purple in the glass and gives up wonderfully pure aromas of blueberries, spiced cranberry sauce, rhubarb, red cherry, raspberry and strawberry preserves, black cherries, peppered charcuterie, woodsmoke, dried rose petal and orange peel. Light to medium-bodied, it explodes in the mouth with flavor layers supported by firm, finely grained tannins and juicy freshness and finishes long, spicy and energetic. A powerful but elegant expression."

From the winemaker: "Located in the heart of Sta. Rita Hills off Highway 246 on a very gentle, even slope with northern exposure, this vineyard is capable of making extraordinary wine. Originally established by a different set of owners, this vineyard is going through a revival under the new ownership of the Zotovich family to achieve its intended greatness. My collaboration with Steve Zotovich and his family along with the vineyard manager, Ben Merz, has produced wines of the highest caliber. Using Dijon clones 113 and 115, the Pinot Noir is full-bodied and muscular yet harmonious and graceful. It possesses exuberant aromatics with a blueberry core and underlying mineral and forest floor nuances reminiscent of great red Burgundies."

"From my experience of tasting the finest wines from around the world, I believe in 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 the 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. During the growing season, yields are restricted to achieve maximum concentration of flavor. Harvest is based on physiological ripeness, which changes depending on the vintage characteristics.

Cellar work is based on minimal intervention, cleanliness and purity of intention. Because every vintage is different, I do not believe in recipes. With due respect to science, I do believe that true artisanal winemaking is based on intuition, sensitivity and passion. Keeping lots small allows gentle handling throughout the winemaking process.

I want my wines to give pleasure and keep your palate interested until the last drop from the bottle - I hope you like them at first sip and love them at the last." ~ Winemaker Paul Lato