Jonata Winery

Fenix Santa Ynez Valley Merlot Blend

9.255 ratings
9.214 pro ratings
Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast, California, USA
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salami & Prosciutto, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Blue Cheese, Onion
Top Notes For
Patrick Derdeyn

Call it bad country music because it’s Big and Rich. On the first glass I had no clue it was 10 years old. Time in bottle has reduced the tannin to nothingness but the fruit and acidity are still extremely present. It’s drinking great right now, a great match for a big fat ribeye.

Call it bad country music because it’s Big and Rich. On the first glass I had no clue it was 10 years old. Time in bottle has reduced the tannin to nothingness but the fruit and acidity are still extremely present. It’s drinking great right now, a great match for a big fat ribeye.

1 person found it helpfulJun 1st, 2018
Sipping Fine Wine

Jonata’s first Merlot based wine, 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, . Dense Ruby color swirling in the glass. The nose was lush with blue and black fruits, complex, yet subtle spice, with smoky notes. The palate revealed a luxurious wine with plump blueberry and plum flavors, vanilla oak with pepper and herb notes. The wine is well balanced with a great mouthfeel, soft tannins, pleasant acidity and finishes with a lingering ending noting some espresso notes. 227 cases. Tasting Sample.

Jonata’s first Merlot based wine, 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, . Dense Ruby color swirling in the glass. The nose was lush with blue and black fruits, complex, yet subtle spice, with smoky notes. The palate revealed a luxurious wine with plump blueberry and plum flavors, vanilla oak with pepper and herb notes. The wine is well balanced with a great mouthfeel, soft tannins, pleasant acidity and finishes with a lingering ending noting some espresso notes. 227 cases. Tasting Sample.

1 person found it helpfulOct 8th, 2016
Zach Cherry

Account Manager Worldwide Wine & Spirits

9.3

Money. Needs time, but I love it when a Merlot is the star of the show. And Merlot is undoubtedly the showboater here.

Money. Needs time, but I love it when a Merlot is the star of the show. And Merlot is undoubtedly the showboater here.

1 person found it helpfulAug 29th, 2016
Tony Loyola

Opened and taste every 20 minutes after. Lively from the start, fresh dark berries, smooth after one hour. Deep red color. Nice nose. Beautiful blend!

Opened and taste every 20 minutes after. Lively from the start, fresh dark berries, smooth after one hour. Deep red color. Nice nose. Beautiful blend!

Jul 23rd, 2024
Brad Jensen

There’s no way this wine is almost 10 years old! The color shoes no sign of age, neither does the nose, tannin or palate. Deep ruby hues and an exceedingly perfumed nose with prominent black cherry, rose, vanilla and raspberry with grippy tannin, red meat, slight smoke and maybe a little tar on the finish? Wildly complex, and incredibly youthful, this still has another 10 or 20 years before it peaks.

There’s no way this wine is almost 10 years old! The color shoes no sign of age, neither does the nose, tannin or palate. Deep ruby hues and an exceedingly perfumed nose with prominent black cherry, rose, vanilla and raspberry with grippy tannin, red meat, slight smoke and maybe a little tar on the finish? Wildly complex, and incredibly youthful, this still has another 10 or 20 years before it peaks.

Oct 21st, 2023
David B

En Mag

En Mag

Jun 9th, 2023
Paul T HB

👍🏼💪🏻

66% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc

👍🏼💪🏻

66% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc

Oct 27th, 2022
Nathan Renfro

Loads of black and blue fruit. A bit lacking in structure for me to really overwhelmed but it’s pretty good none the less.

Loads of black and blue fruit. A bit lacking in structure for me to really overwhelmed but it’s pretty good none the less.

Aug 20th, 2022
Iwan

Blend of 65% Merlot / 30% Cab Franc / 5% Petit Verdot. Beautiful fruit, excellent mouthfeel. A little green from the Cab Franc Very elegant and delicious

Blend of 65% Merlot / 30% Cab Franc / 5% Petit Verdot. Beautiful fruit, excellent mouthfeel. A little green from the Cab Franc Very elegant and delicious

Jun 18th, 2022
Deborah M

Beautiful! Tannins are gone, but offering up perfect balance. Gave this one a quick decant to allow a bit of funk to blow off. Elegant best describes this one

Beautiful! Tannins are gone, but offering up perfect balance. Gave this one a quick decant to allow a bit of funk to blow off. Elegant best describes this one

Jun 4th, 2022