2016 Paul Lato Pinot Noir Duende Gold Coast Vineyard

The 2016 Pinot Noir Duende Gold Coast Vineyard emerges from a parcel of own-rooted Martini clone Pinot. Gracious, aromatic and lifted, the 2016 is absolutely gorgeous. In the past, the Duende has at times been a bit vegetal. In 2016, however, it is the purity of the fruit that shines. Silky contours and impeccable balance round out this striking Pinot from Paul Lato. The 2016 may very well be the best vintage of the Duende yet!

Paul Lato's recently bottled 2016 Pinot Noir Goldcoast Vineyard Duende is lovely, wafting from the glass with aromas of red and black cherries, burnt sage, incipient notes of loamy soil and a lavish framing of creamy new oak. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, with a succulent core of fruit, juicy acids and an elegant chassis of fine, melting tannins. Lato observes that these old vines are all clone 4 and that the gently-sloping site doesn't look propitious, but he's always been surprised by the quality that they routinely produce.