Jonata Winery

El Desafio de Jonata Ballard Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon

9.516 ratings
9.51 pro ratings
Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

2021 vintage. Light-medium body but with more stuffing than encountered in the previous 6-7 vintages. Unanticipated frontal-palate richness. Expected, back-end, oomph without massive tannins. Pretty without being precious. Would love to throw this ringer in a Napa and/or BDX tasting. Phenomenal without the cloying weight of the usual suspects. Best Cabernet Sauvignon effort I’ve had from this winery. 01.29.25.

2021 vintage. Light-medium body but with more stuffing than encountered in the previous 6-7 vintages. Unanticipated frontal-palate richness. Expected, back-end, oomph without massive tannins. Pretty without being precious. Would love to throw this ringer in a Napa and/or BDX tasting. Phenomenal without the cloying weight of the usual suspects. Best Cabernet Sauvignon effort I’ve had from this winery. 01.29.25.

Jan 29th, 2025
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

2020 vintage. Light-medium body. 10.12.24.

2020 vintage. Light-medium body. 10.12.24.

Oct 13th, 2024
Gene Vincent

Charcuterie night with my lovely wife!

Charcuterie night with my lovely wife!

Apr 3rd, 2022
Deborah M

Yes it was that good. Opened this for friends and it didn’t disappoint. Big Napa Cab like, but from Ballard Canyon. Chocolate notes. Dark fruit. Velvety mouthfeel. Everything you want and then some. Sadly my only bottle.

Yes it was that good. Opened this for friends and it didn’t disappoint. Big Napa Cab like, but from Ballard Canyon. Chocolate notes. Dark fruit. Velvety mouthfeel. Everything you want and then some. Sadly my only bottle.

Mar 20th, 2022
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

2017 vintage. No surprise that this is the best Ballard Canyon/SYV cab I've ever had. What is a surprise is that this is the best newer vintage California cab I've had this year. Throw this into your big gun Napa cab blind tasting and see where it ranks. May hafta reevaluate the California cab hierarchy.

2017 vintage. No surprise that this is the best Ballard Canyon/SYV cab I've ever had. What is a surprise is that this is the best newer vintage California cab I've had this year. Throw this into your big gun Napa cab blind tasting and see where it ranks. May hafta reevaluate the California cab hierarchy.

Nov 18th, 2021
Matthew Hughes

It was good.

It was good.

Jul 15th, 2021
Gunja Gargeshwari

95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc - Feels more like a classy Bordeaux than a Cal Cab. Has the structure to age well over many years.

95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc - Feels more like a classy Bordeaux than a Cal Cab. Has the structure to age well over many years.

Jul 3rd, 2021
Katie

Company becomes a 🦄. Fabulous!

Company becomes a 🦄. Fabulous!

Jun 22nd, 2021
Maggie Harrison

Maggie had this 17 days ago

Maggie had this 17 days ago

Mar 13th, 2025
Chris L

Chris had this 4 months ago

Chris had this 4 months ago

Nov 28th, 2024