2018 Paul Lato Pinot Noir C'est La Vie Drum Canyon Vineyard

Seeing 56% new barrels (which is on the lower side here) and from a Sta. Rita Hills vineyard, the 2018 Pinot Noir C'est La Vie Drum Canyon Vineyard is a medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced effort that does everything right. Lots of salty red and blackberry fruits, violets, flowers, and a touch of marine-influenced minerality all emerge from the glass, and it's flawlessly put together on the palate. As with many of these 2018s, give bottles a year or so. A great California success story, Polish immigrant Paul Lato started as a cellar hand in a Santa Maria co-op/custom crush and has worked his way up to being one of the leading producers of artisanal, world class wines in California today. Lato fashions a bevy of wines (I would normally say too many, yet given the quality he’s able to achieve, the more the merrier) including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. These aren’t lightweight wines, yet they never lose their sense of balance and elegance. I always describe the wines as having a slightly Old World style, but with one foot planted firmly in California. As I hope the reviews show, his 2018s are incredible wines across the board.