2009 Paul Lato Syrah Il Padrino Bien Nacido Vineyard

Loads of dark fruits with crushed black pepper, licorice and meat on the nose. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a spicy finish. This is dense and powerful. This is very voluptuous and upfront.

Tasted out of barrel (schedule to be bottled at the end of May) and one of the most profound Syrahs coming out of the Central Coast, the 2009 Paul Lato Syrah Il Padrino Bien Nacido Vineyard, a destemmed blend of 95% Syrah and 5% co-fermented Viognier, sports heavenly aromatics that literally jump from the glass. Stunningly pure black fruits, licorice, flowers, ground pepper, and serious minerality all show up, and this continues to change and evolve in the glass, possessing awesome complexity as well as serious delineation and focus. Just as good on the palate, the wine is full-bodied and perfectly balanced, showing a layered, powerful feel that's wrapped in an overall elegant, silky package. Nothing is out of place, and while approachable on release, this awesome wine should age beautifully for a decade or longer.

right purple. Highly aromatic, wild scents of dark berry liqueur, spicecake, incense and crushed violet. Reminds me of Syrahs that get whole-cluster vinification but all of these grapes were destemmed. Sappy, spicy and precise on the palate, offering an array of dark fruit and spice flavors and notes of candied licorice and violet. Finishes long and spicy, with excellent clarity and lingering florality. (JR)