Jonata Winery
Fenix Ballard Canyon Merlot Blend
Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast, California, USA
This is a serious wine. Heady and complex.
This is a serious wine. Heady and complex.
May 30th, 2022
2019 vintage. 51% Merlot right off the bat. Fantastic. 7.19.23.
2019 vintage. 51% Merlot right off the bat. Fantastic. 7.19.23.
Aug 19th, 2023
very vegetal nose. chalky and mineral. smooth.
very vegetal nose. chalky and mineral. smooth.
Jul 8th, 2023
Medium plus acid, medium plus body, medium tannin, black currant cedar tobacco, pencil shavings, subtle herbaceous - wish fruit matches tannins and acid
Medium plus acid, medium plus body, medium tannin, black currant cedar tobacco, pencil shavings, subtle herbaceous - wish fruit matches tannins and acid
Nov 14th, 2022
I really love this producer. It’s a shame that Merlot gets such a bad rap. A really nice Merlot gives you that plush dark fruit, velvety mouthfeel, and chocolate notes. Seriously, who doesn’t want velvety and chocolate notes?? My layman’s description is that Merlot is like a Cab without the tannins (sorta but not really).
Details: @jonataestate Fenix - 2016 - 58% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 615 Cases Produced. The winemaker, Matt Dees, describes the 2016 best as a “massive wine that somehow manages to remain delicately focused. Impenetrable and dense. Grounded by delicious and fine, chalky tannins. The joy here undoubtedly lies in the unctuous layers of black and red fruit that form a cascade in the middle of this wine.”
Rule #57 - Don’t be a Miles (Sideways movie), enjoy Merlot without shame.
I really love this producer. It’s a shame that Merlot gets such a bad rap. A really nice Merlot gives you that plush dark fruit, velvety mouthfeel, and chocolate notes. Seriously, who doesn’t want velvety and chocolate notes?? My layman’s description is that Merlot is like a Cab without the tannins (sorta but not really).
Details: @jonataestate Fenix - 2016 - 58% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 615 Cases Produced. The winemaker, Matt Dees, describes the 2016 best as a “massive wine that somehow manages to remain delicately focused. Impenetrable and dense. Grounded by delicious and fine, chalky tannins. The joy here undoubtedly lies in the unctuous layers of black and red fruit that form a cascade in the middle of this wine.”
Rule #57 - Don’t be a Miles (Sideways movie), enjoy Merlot without shame.
Big, beautiful fruit forward Merlot blend that showcased some of the best terroir and winemaking talent Santa Barbara has to offer oenophiles. Notes of sumptuous blackberry and cassis in full effect.
Big, beautiful fruit forward Merlot blend that showcased some of the best terroir and winemaking talent Santa Barbara has to offer oenophiles. Notes of sumptuous blackberry and cassis in full effect.
Sep 27th, 2022
Same notes as before. It’s only been a couple weeks since my last bottle! 😂
Same notes as before. It’s only been a couple weeks since my last bottle! 😂
Dec 14th, 2021Dark ruby. Herbal, cherry, oak on the nose. Nice light mouthfeel. Modest fruit (mostly red), sage earthiness, nice long dark chocolate finish. Lightly tannic but well structured and hides the higher abv very well. This was after 45 min decant.
Dark ruby. Herbal, cherry, oak on the nose. Nice light mouthfeel. Modest fruit (mostly red), sage earthiness, nice long dark chocolate finish. Lightly tannic but well structured and hides the higher abv very well. This was after 45 min decant.
Nov 26th, 2021
Not worth the money average flavor with overwhelming notes of anise
Not worth the money average flavor with overwhelming notes of anise
Apr 1st, 2018