Monthly Archives: February 2013

2003 Harrison Clark Syrah

2003 Harrison Clark Santa Ynez Valley Syrah This has improved a lot since release.  Killer nose with a ton of roasted blackberry, espresso, tar, licorice, cocoa, full bodied but not over the top. Great structure, solid tannins with some slightly elevated acidity. One slightly strange thing going on, there seems to be a very small amount of residual sugar.  Absolutely no secondary fermentation going on in the bottle and the sugar was pretty much imperceptible on day two.  ??  Makes me wonder if they had some problems during production?? N 9 P 8+ C 8 S 8+ B 8- = 91+

2001 Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir

2001 Belle Pente Estate Reserve Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir Lightly colored with deep bricking around the edges.  Very aromatic, pretty and pleasing, sweet red cherries and raspberry, forest floor with pine resins and hints of earthy mushrooms, medium weight, 14.3% ABV, I can remember thinking this was a bit ripe in youth but I pick up no sense of that now, seems very nicely balanced.  Some mild tannins and slightly elevated acidity that makes the fruit seemed fresh and juicy.  Overall a very enjoyable Pinot in a good place but it should still have a few years to go. N 9 P 8+ C 8 B 8+ S 8+ = 92+/100

2010 Paul Lato Santa Barbara Syrah

2010 Paul Lato Matinee Santa Barbara County Syrah Very smoky nose with hints of lees and French oak, tar and smoke throughout, nuttiness as well, fruit shows plum and blackberry, brown spice, moderate intensity, seems like a higher yield than his vineyard designates, not terribly complex but very well balanced.  Needs time, perhaps still a bit backwards, fairly savory.  Moderately structured. Smooth. N 8 P 8 C 8 B 8+ S 8+ = 91/100

2010 Paul Lato Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Chardonnay

2010 Paul Lato Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Belle de jour Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay Very tropical with a ton of pineapple, along with pear and apple, some brown spice, butterscotch and prevalent ginger spice.  Mild to moderate tannins and fairly crisp acidity.  Intensely flavored, nicely balanced and good length. Fruit is fairly forward but not over ripe.  Perhaps just a small bit of residual sugar.  Very nice wine.  N 9 P 8 B 9 S  8+ C 8 = 92+