The Sololmon Hills vineyard is the most westerly—and thus the coolest—vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley AVA. Vines are 17 years old, planted in ocean floor sandy loam, and the wine was aged for 17 months in 65% new French oak. Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2017 Pinot Noir Solomon Hills Vineyard Suerte features pure aromas of redcurrant, red licorice, shaved nutmeg and warm cinnamon on the nose with spiced cranberry sauce, black cherry, rose petal, pink peppercorn and autumn leaves. The medium-bodied palate is silky with layer after layer of spice, earth and fruit, wonderfully pixelated, grainy tannins and seamless acidity, finishing very long and very spicy. Paul Lato says, "If Santa Maria were Musigny, this would be Bonnes Mares." 240 cases produced. - EB

I've always been a fan of the Pinot Noir from this site. The 2017 Pinot Noir Suerte Solomon Hills Vineyard from Lato was all destemmed and spent 15 months in 65% new French oak. Lots of Bing cherries, passion fruits, black raspberries, candied violets, and earthy forest floor notes emerge from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, it has good acidity and a tight, backward style on the palate that's going to benefit from another year in bottle.