2020 El Alma de Jonata
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Tasting notes
Based largely on Cabernet Franc, the 2020 El Alma De Jonata offers some Loire-like greenness and herbal nuances as well as brilliant darker cherry and currant fruits, notes of chocolate and violets, medium to full body, a pure, precise mouthfeel, and ripe tannins. It's a singular, gorgeous expression of this variety that's going to keep for 15+ years. I followed this bottle for multiple days, and it only got better. It's an incredible wine that’s going to flirt with perfection at maturity. The talented winemaking team of Matt Dees and Drew Pickering continue to keep Jonata near the top of the pyramid in Santa Barbara County. Pulling all from their estate vineyard in Ballard Canyon, which is mostly sandy soils, they make a wealth of wines, yet the quality is spectacular across the board. In general, the wines are a touch more polished and approachable today than in the past (which I think is a good thing), and while they’ll still benefit from bottle age, they offer plenty of pleasure in their youth.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2020 El Alma de Jonata, Jonata's Cabernet Franc-based wine, is ridiculously great. The Franc is way up in 2020, and that results in a heady, explosive red that takes command of all the senses as it demands full attention. An exotic mélange of dark red fruit, wild flowers, mocha, spice and new leather build as the 2020 gains volume and resonance with air, with plenty of supporting structure to wrap it all together. It's one of the greatest Bordeaux wines I have ever tasted in Santa Barbara. Wow!!
About the producer
Jonata is amongst a handful of truly exciting wineries from Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara – a unique fine wine region of incredible versatility.