2010 Chardonnay “Le Souvenir” Sierra Madre Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Green-tinged yellow. Strikingly complex nose evokes lemon curd, pear, anise, chamomile and smoky minerals. Vibrant citrus and orchard fruit flavors are deep and pure, with zesty minerality adding lift and back-end cut. Becomes spicier and smokier on the impressively persistent finish, which offers sweet pear and peach flavors. Lato told me that this wine got 70% new oak, "which is at the outer limit of what I want to do with chardonnay. But the fruit could take it this year."
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Paul Lato's 2010 Chardonnay Le Souvenir Sierra Madre Vineyard is gorgeous. In this vintage, the Souvenir comes across as quite focused and understated. It boasts striking, crystalline purity in a medium-bodied style that is quite attractive. The 2010 isn't quite as expressive as the 2009, rather it is a model of restrained elegance.
Paul Lato's 2010 Chardonnay Le Souvenir Sierra Madre Vineyard is gorgeous. In this vintage, the Souvenir comes across as focused and understated. It boasts striking, crystalline purity in a medium-bodied, attractive style. The 2010 isn't quite as expressive as the 2009, rather it is a model of restrained elegance. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. 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
Even better than the spectacular ’09, the 2010 Paul Lato Chardonnay Le Souvenir Sierra Madre Vineyard (100% Chardonnay aged for 16 months in 70% new French oak) sports a knockout bouquet of rich, mineral drench apple, citrus, slate, and background spice that bears more than a passing resemblance to a top grand cru white Burgundy! Beautifully fresh and clean, yet with phenomenal richness and depth, this thrilling Chardonnay is medium to full-bodied, perfectly balanced, and shows riveting focus, energy, and delineation on the finish. While brilliant now - and I still recommend drinking over the coming handful of years - I see no reason it won’t age gracefully for at least 5-7 years, possibly longer.