2008 Jonata La Tierra de Jonata
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Downright savory and meaty, the 2008 Tierra de Jonata possesses full, rich notes of cedar, chocolate, spice box and currants that flow to a seamless, concentrated Sangiovese that has masses of finely polished tannin framing the finish. As with the 2007, it’s still not at full maturity and has some tannin to integrate; nevertheless, it is certainly enjoyable now. Drink now-2023. This was an incredible tasting with winemaker Matt Dees. This estate continues to produce some of the most impressive, long-lived wines in Santa Barbara. As I’ve learned from past tasting, it’s always best to schedule this appointment at the end of the day as these effort have no shortage of tannin and can wreak havoc on one’s palate. While I’ve routinely tasted the La Sangre de Jonata for a number of years now, it was great to be able to go back through past vintages of this estate’s other wines. In addition to these efforts bottled under the Jonata label, I was also able to taste their The Hilt and The Pairing releases, both of which are also reviewed in this report (and highly recommended). Tel. (805) 564-8581; www.jonata.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
(94% sangiovese and 6% syrah): Saturated ruby. Fresh redcurrant and cherry aromas are complicated by notes of vanilla, dried rose and spicecake. Juicy and focused on entry, then broader in the mid-palate, showing very good clarity to its bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors. The cherry and spice notes repeat on a long, sweet, gently tannic finish. This is consistently one of the most successful takes on this variety from the New World.
The 2008 Tierra is predominantly Sangiovese, with the addition of 6% Syrah, which the estate uses to give the wine a little more mid-palate density, not a bad thing in a cooler year like 2008. Sweet wild cherries, leather, licorice and tobacco are woven together beautifully in this generous, inviting wine. The French oak (40% new) is a little prominent at this stage, but this is nevertheless a lovely effort.
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.