Paul Lato, Grenache 'Ora de Labora' Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara 2018
Overview of the Wine
Passion, quality, and authenticity. These are the guiding principles of our small, artisanal winery dedicated to producing Burgundy and Rhone varietals. Paul Lato is a former sommelier who studied wine extensively and traveled the world before starting his winemaking operation on the Central Coast in 2002. Though their style is inspired by the balance and harmony, they also seek to capture the intensity of flavor that is a hallmark of sun-kissed California vineyards.
Through small-lot boutique production, minimal intervention in the winery, and purity of intention, the team works to achieve elegance in the bottle that showcases the unique qualities of these amazing sites. The ultimate goal is to create wines that are seamless and textural with the structure and balance to complement fine cuisine.
Grape / Blend
Grenache
Origin
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, California
Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Perfumed aromas of rose petal, macerated strawberries, and cacao bean arise from this richly garnet-colored wine. Lovely, fine tannins grace the palate as notes of ground pepper, dark cherry, and flint accumulate towards a long finish. This is my first Grenache from one of my favorite sites, Bien Nacido Vineyard, and it fully displays the power of that property while retaining the supple elegance of the Grenache grape.
93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
All destemmed Grenache aged 22 months in 30% new barrels, the 2018 Ora et Labora Bien Nacido Vineyard offers up a juicy bouquet of Bing cherries, black raspberries, sappy herbs, licorice, and ground pepper. Nicely textured, medium to full-bodied, and silky on the palate, with great tannins, drink bottles over the coming 7-8 years.
Product size: 750ml
