2007 El Desafio de Jonata
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Tasting notes
One of the gems in the lineup (Matt commented that this fruit was the best he’d ever tasted coming into the winery), as well as one of the benchmark Cabernet Sauvignons to come out of Santa Barbara County, the 2007 El Desafio de Jonata is incredible sexy and exuberant, with awesome notes of black currants, baking spices, dried herbs and graphite. Full-bodied, upfront, and concentrated on the palate, yet at the same time weightless and elegant, it's a sensational Cabernet Sauvignon from winemaker Matt Dees. The 2007 is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance 2% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. Based out of Ballard Canyon and run by superstar winemaker Matt Dees (Michel Rolland also consults here), Jonata makes a bevy of brilliant wines from Rhône, Bordeaux, and Burgundian varieties. The El Desafio de Jonata release is the Cabernet Sauvignon-based release, and it normally includes upwards of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The elevage is in plenty of new oak, yet I rarely find any noticeable oak in the cuvee. The 2005 is just now entering its prime drink window, and this is unquestionably one of the longest-lived cuvees coming out of Santa Barbara today.
Critic scores
Average Score
Josh Raynolds, Vinous
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2007 El Desafio de Jonata remains a youthful powerhouse at age ten, soaring from the glass with an extravagant bouquet of cassis, black truffle, cocoa, asphalt, smoke and cigar. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, rich and very ripe, with an expansive core of juicy fruit that has lost none of its youthful vitality and conceals the wine's tannins almost completely. The finish is long and intense. This will delight lovers of powerful, sun-kissed California Cabernet Sauvignon, and now's a great time to start pulling corks.
(95% cabernet sauvignon, with cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot) Inky ruby. Pungent dark fruit preserves, cherry-cola and vanillin oak on the nose, with hints of woodsmoke and violet adding complexity. Lush cassis and cherry compate flavors stain the palate, with exotic candied flower and Indian spice qualities gaining strength in the glass. Dusty tannins add grip to a long, sweet, and penetrating finish. For such a rich wine there's very impressive energy and delineation as well.
(95% cabernet sauvignon, with cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot) Inky ruby. Pungent dark fruit preserves, cherry-cola and vanillin oak on the nose, with hints of woodsmoke and violet adding complexity. Lush cassis and cherry compote flavors stain the palate, with exotic candied flower and Indian spice qualities gaining strength in the glass. Dusty tannins add grip to a long, sweet, and penetrating finish. For such a rich wine there's very impressive energy and delineation as well.
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.