Paul Lato Letters to Europe Red Blend Santa Barbara 2019

What do Sadie Hawkins Day, Halley’s Comet, and vintage port have in common? That’s right, they only occur in remarkable years! Just as absence makes the heart grow fonder, we tend to remember and savor things that happen only once in a Blue Moon. Letters to Europe by Paul Lato is just such a unicorn of the wine world- it is only made in the most ideal and auspicious of vintages. In 2019, the planets aligned and weather conditions in Santa Barbara were simply perfect for winemaking wizard Paul Lato to craft his most elusive of offerings. This rich, juicy, jammy, and unctuous wine is a sure crowd-pleaser. Letters to Europe is a Cab lover’s Rhône blend that makes the long wait entirely worth it. 

Paul Lato’s story is just as unique as the sought-after luxury wines he crafts. Born in Poland, he fell in love with wine at a young age and eventually rose to become an acclaimed sommelier in Toronto. With the vocation of winemaker calling to him, Paul moved to the Central Coast of California to apprentice under the widely acclaimed vintner Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat. After his inaugural vintages won admiration from critics and wine consumers alike, Paul Lato rapidly became one of the most well-respected winemakers in Santa Barbara. Letters to Europe is an homage to the wines of the Southern Rhône valley in France that Paul came to adore during his years as a sommelier. And just as all good things come to those who wait, we are delighted to champion this rare and gorgeous wine.

An even split of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah from the iconic Bien Nacido and Larner Vineyards, the 2019 Letters to Europe opens with a lush, raucous, Grenache-driven bouquet of cranberry and raspberry fruits supported by cracked pepper, savory meats, and gamey nuances. Rich, full-bodied, and velvety on the palate, this blend boasts incredible opulence and power while staying weightless, elegant, and seamless.