2017 Jonata Fenix

Checking in as a final blend of 40% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Fenix reveals a saturated purple color as well as sexy notes of black cherries, currants, ground herbs, chocolate, and earth. Ripe, fleshy, full-bodied, and loaded with fruit, it still shows the vintage’s more elegant, classic style. It's a beautiful, sexy wine that does everything right. The 2017s from the team at Jonata are terrific across the board with all the wines showing classic, balanced characters. Unfortunately, the 2018s weren’t ready to be tasted, so I’ll report on those in next year’s Central Coast report. Readers on a budget shouldn’t miss the Todos cuvée, which is always a kitchen sink blend (it’s normally Syrah heavy) of just about every varieties Jonata works with. It’s a year in, year out, stunning wine that sells for half of what the top cuvées go for.