Wine Advisor
Jonata, El Desafio de Jonata 2021
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Matthew Luczy
As deep and rich as it is graceful and elegant, the 2021 El Desafio de Jonata is a yardstick for Bordeaux varieties in Santa Barbara County. As with much of the lineup, the nose is modern and glossy yet retains vibrancy and fantastic nuance, combining aromas of chocolate cake, gravel dust, oiled leather, dried herbs and dark spices. On the palate, it is immensely rich and supple with great concentration yet always buoyed by a high-toned, focused lift that is rare in wines of this style. The palate is lumbering in its richness yet incisive in its attack, effortlessly delivering layer after layer of decadence tempered with chalky, linear focus. This is produced with 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot.
About the Producer
Jonata Wines is located in the Santa Barbara wine region of California, USA. Jonata Wines owns 600 acres of land in the Golden Hills of the Santa Ynez Valley. Eighty of these acres are planted with grapes due to the unique microclimate and good soil conditions. These 80 acres are divided into more than 50 plots, each planted with a different grape variety. Matt Dees, the winemaker, studied soil science at the University of Vermont and has extensive winemaking experience, having also worked as a winemaker at Staglin Wines in Napa, California and at Craggy range in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. He has a very keen sense of wine. Since its inception, it has released wines such as 2010 El Desafio de Jonata Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 El Alma El Desafio de Jonata Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, El Alma de Jonata Cabernet Franc 2009, La Sangre de Jonata Syrah 2007 and Todos Vineyard Blend 2007, among others.
