ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 94+ POINTS - "If you're fortunate enough to have a tasting with the gregarious and eminently entertaining Paul Lato, be sure to leave yourself plenty of time before your next appointment, as your conversations will likely be numerous and wide-ranging. Lato's evolution is as inspiring as it is impressive, from humble beginnings to subsequent progression from sommelier to winemaker. Given the lavish textures on display throughout his work, one could be forgiven for describing his roster as quite stylistic, but that would be a disservice; Lato accomplishes the rare feat of transparently expressing vineyards yet doing so with an indelible fingerprint, a touch that is, in this case, confidently luxurious and manages to enhance the wines rather than muddle them. Production now occurs at the former Byron facility, where obsessive sorting, destemming, basket pressing and extended time in the finest barrels he can buy contribute to producing the multifaceted, sumptuous and classy offerings on display."
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Festina Lente hails from Morlet's Coure de Vallée Vineyard in Oakville and offers a fascinating look at Paul Lato's lavish yet classy touch as applied to Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The results are unsurprisingly very enjoyable. It rides the line between classic and contemporary Napa Valley, its nose offering dark chocolate, bay laurel, dried flower and pipe tobacco aromas with restrained decadence and prominent yet fitting new oak accents. The palate is rich and gently saturating, retaining a light-footed touch before its finish of sumptuous fruit flavors, lifted herbal energy and dusty, fine-grained tannins. I look forward to revisiting this once its oak has integrated a touch more. This is a beautiful supplement to one of the more impressive rosters in Santa Barbara County."
ANTONIO GALLONI 94 POINTS - "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Festina Lente is sourced from Luc and Jodie Morlet's Coeur du Vallée vineyard in the heart of Oakville. Floral and nicely lifted, the 2021 is all class. Readers will find an understated, gracious valley floor Cabernet build on mid-weight structure and polish. All this needs is more Oakville character. Bright red-toned fruit, cedar, spice and dried herbs linger nicely."
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS - "Only the second vintage of this cuvée I've tasted, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Festina Lente comes from Oakville fruit (the 2019 was Howell Mountain), and there are a tiny 100 cases made. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a tight, inward wine that needs air to show at its best. Ripe darker currants, iron, green tobacco, and cedar pencil notes give it an almost Pauillac-like vibe, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a pure, focused texture, nicely balanced tannins, and a great finish. As with all of Lato's wines, it shines for its purity and balance. It should evolve for 10-12 years."
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Festina Lente hails from Morlet's Coure de Vallée Vineyard in Oakville and offers a fascinating look at Paul Lato's lavish yet classy touch as applied to Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The results are unsurprisingly very enjoyable. It rides the line between classic and contemporary Napa Valley, its nose offering dark chocolate, bay laurel, dried flower and pipe tobacco aromas with restrained decadence and prominent yet fitting new oak accents. The palate is rich and gently saturating, retaining a light-footed touch before its finish of sumptuous fruit flavors, lifted herbal energy and dusty, fine-grained tannins. I look forward to revisiting this once its oak has integrated a touch more. This is a beautiful supplement to one of the more impressive rosters in Santa Barbara County."
ANTONIO GALLONI 94 POINTS - "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Festina Lente is sourced from Luc and Jodie Morlet's Coeur du Vallée vineyard in the heart of Oakville. Floral and nicely lifted, the 2021 is all class. Readers will find an understated, gracious valley floor Cabernet build on mid-weight structure and polish. All this needs is more Oakville character. Bright red-toned fruit, cedar, spice and dried herbs linger nicely."
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS - "Only the second vintage of this cuvée I've tasted, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Festina Lente comes from Oakville fruit (the 2019 was Howell Mountain), and there are a tiny 100 cases made. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a tight, inward wine that needs air to show at its best. Ripe darker currants, iron, green tobacco, and cedar pencil notes give it an almost Pauillac-like vibe, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a pure, focused texture, nicely balanced tannins, and a great finish. As with all of Lato's wines, it shines for its purity and balance. It should evolve for 10-12 years."
