Winemaker Notes
Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2009 El Desafio de Jonata comes from a warmer vintage for Jonata where harvest occurred during an intense heat spike. The 2009 offers lots of graphite, blackcurrants, leather, and cedar in a gorgeously textured, full-bodied, beautifully balanced package. With terrific purity of fruit, fine, polished, even sweet tannins, and a great finish, this beauty is going to shine for another 10-15 years, if not longer.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2009 El Desafio de Jonata is in its prime, bursting from the glass with a rich bouquet of cigar, chocolate, cassis and pencil shavings that—believe it or not—reminded me strongly of the 1990 Château Léoville Poyferré. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, rich and powerful, its tannins still concealed by a succulent but ripe core of fruit, and finishing with excellent length. While I'd be inclined to attack this in the near-term, it represents a very complete realization of Jonata's aesthetic.
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Wine Spectator
Pure and juicy, with vivid, snappy blackberry and wild berry notes that are both supple up front and firm on the finish. Maintains focus and flavor, ending with cedar and spice nuances. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2023.
Jonata is the embodiment of land, soul, and people coming together for a common goal; to produce singular wines from a singular place.
Land – Jonata is a stunning 600 acre property, with 80 acres of estate vineyard on golden rolling hills in Ballard Canyon. High concentrations of Careaga sand run through the estate. A challenging landscape for cultivation and a key element to the qualities of Jonata, pushing our vines to drive deep in search of nutrients.
Soul – Timeless and diverse practices are in place to create health and community at Jonata. Polyface farming practices are implemented to create a diverse and sustainable ecosystem, utilizing a blend of sustainable practices that continue to build the health of Jonata.
People – Since 2004, a consistent team remains at the core. Winemaker Matt Dees & Vineyard manager Ruben Solorzano combine their experiences in winemaking, soil science and farming expertise to help Jonata thrive.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Ranging from cool and foggy in the west to warm and dry in the east, the Santa Ynez Valley is a climatically diverse growing area. The most expansive AVA within the larger Santa Barbara County region, Santa Ynez is also home to a wide variety of soil types and geographical features. The appellation is further divided into four distinct sub-AVAs—Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon—each with its own defining characteristics.
A wide selection of grapes is planted here—more than sixty different varieties, and counting. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate in the chilly west, while Zinfandel, Rhône blends, and Bordeaux blends rule the arid east. Syrah is successful at both ends of the valley, with a lean and peppery, Old-World sensibility closer to the coast and lush berry fruit further inland.