2017 Paul Lato Pinot Noir Zotovich Vineyard Santa Rita Hills

(95 Points) 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. Jeb Dunnuck