Jonata Winery
El Desafio de Jonata Santa Ynez Valley Red Blend
Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast, California, USA
Steakhouse blend. Years (decades) left. Smokey fruit woven throughout.
Steakhouse blend. Years (decades) left. Smokey fruit woven throughout.
Apr 26th, 2022
Full. Balanced. Really enjoyed this.
Full. Balanced. Really enjoyed this.
Jan 22nd, 2021
Don’t get old but if you have to as your annual birthday dictates try to celebrate with good wine - I love Jonata and this is ready to be popped and enjoyed
Don’t get old but if you have to as your annual birthday dictates try to celebrate with good wine - I love Jonata and this is ready to be popped and enjoyed
Aug 1st, 2020
Bam 💥. I’ve had this lone bottle of Jonata resting in my cellar for the past six years. We had some friends over who had just returned from Santa Ynez and couldn’t make the time to visit Jonata; they weren’t sure what the fuss was all about. Well, now they do. This was absolutely killer right from the pop and pour. So much power yet there was an undeniable charm that just had us all smitten. And, at 14 years young, this was still so alive and downright youthful. There are decades of enjoyment left in these 2005 Desafio’s. Simply outstanding.
Bam 💥. I’ve had this lone bottle of Jonata resting in my cellar for the past six years. We had some friends over who had just returned from Santa Ynez and couldn’t make the time to visit Jonata; they weren’t sure what the fuss was all about. Well, now they do. This was absolutely killer right from the pop and pour. So much power yet there was an undeniable charm that just had us all smitten. And, at 14 years young, this was still so alive and downright youthful. There are decades of enjoyment left in these 2005 Desafio’s. Simply outstanding.
Apr 11th, 2019
Thank you Dave for your stellar gift!
My 1st Time enjoying this producer but it most certainly will not be my last. It’s definitely a bad ass Cabernet blend! Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc being predominate which are to varietals that I adore. Deep dark bold in luscious to say the least! Love it, love it, love it! Thanks bud! @David L
Thank you Dave for your stellar gift!
My 1st Time enjoying this producer but it most certainly will not be my last. It’s definitely a bad ass Cabernet blend! Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc being predominate which are to varietals that I adore. Deep dark bold in luscious to say the least! Love it, love it, love it! Thanks bud! @David L
Bright blue fruit on the nose. Expecting some really tight vibes; However soft beautiful elegant and red fruit perfectly balanced and yes very approachable! Drinking with Master Matt Dees makes the wines that much better
Bright blue fruit on the nose. Expecting some really tight vibes; However soft beautiful elegant and red fruit perfectly balanced and yes very approachable! Drinking with Master Matt Dees makes the wines that much better
Apr 24th, 2018Yummy in my tummy = smiling all night long
Yummy in my tummy = smiling all night long
Feb 19th, 2018
Pronounced Ho-notta (but Ho-latta is also acceptable). The name pays homage to the 1845 Spanish land grant, Rancho San Carlos de Jonata. At the time the land grant covered a large part of the Santa Ynez Valley. Today’s Jonata is at the heart of the former land grant. The Jonata name was borrowed by the first pioneers from the local Chumash Indian and means “tall oak”. Prior to planting the vineyards, Jonata had the viticultural team from Château Latour do a survey of the 600 acre property to determine which sites would support which types of grapes. Latour returned with a preliminary verdict: plant asparagus. El Desafio! This wine represents Jonata’s defiance and uprising to that challenge. 3 hours open and it’s absolutely stunning... cassis for days... so much mint... and savoriness... and chocolate... so classic Cali Cabernet, but still terroir-driven.
Pronounced Ho-notta (but Ho-latta is also acceptable). The name pays homage to the 1845 Spanish land grant, Rancho San Carlos de Jonata. At the time the land grant covered a large part of the Santa Ynez Valley. Today’s Jonata is at the heart of the former land grant. The Jonata name was borrowed by the first pioneers from the local Chumash Indian and means “tall oak”. Prior to planting the vineyards, Jonata had the viticultural team from Château Latour do a survey of the 600 acre property to determine which sites would support which types of grapes. Latour returned with a preliminary verdict: plant asparagus. El Desafio! This wine represents Jonata’s defiance and uprising to that challenge. 3 hours open and it’s absolutely stunning... cassis for days... so much mint... and savoriness... and chocolate... so classic Cali Cabernet, but still terroir-driven.
1 person found it helpfulDec 15th, 2017
@David L what an awesome bottle, thanks for gifting this to us. Hour decant and hang on. Blended so well, the Cab Franc is not overwhelming. On the nose it reminiscent of a Bordeaux tarry and applewood. So pretty. Hefty and grippy on the front of the palate with the tannins showing no sign of bottle age, yet the acidity balances it out well. Fig, blackberry pie and dates fill the mouth. Finish is soft and refined-I get a note of chalk and iron. Thanks again @David L !
@David L what an awesome bottle, thanks for gifting this to us. Hour decant and hang on. Blended so well, the Cab Franc is not overwhelming. On the nose it reminiscent of a Bordeaux tarry and applewood. So pretty. Hefty and grippy on the front of the palate with the tannins showing no sign of bottle age, yet the acidity balances it out well. Fig, blackberry pie and dates fill the mouth. Finish is soft and refined-I get a note of chalk and iron. Thanks again @David L !
Jun 10th, 2017