Jonata Winery
Todos Ballard Canyon Red Bordeaux Blend
Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast, California, USA
Another blind I found tiring to drink and impossible to identify in my current state. In hindsight, the latter makes sense given the Todos is always a kitchen sink blend (50% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petite Sirah, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Sangiovese, 2% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Viognier, 1% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Sémillon) - the structure would expectedly be quite misleading. In any case, credit where credit is due, I still did identify the wine to be a new world red blend. The fruit was just too clean and concentrated to be from the old world, which was just plain glaring in a blind line-up of mostly Rioja's. Plus, you can definitely feel the alcohol here. Heaps of black fruits, with some blue fruits thrown in the mix, along with earth, meat and five-spice powder framing the fruit. The tannin structure was all over the place - medium-to-high levels, which started on the front of the palate and ended in the gums. Again, I thought it might have been a Cabernet-dominated blend with that sense of structural hollowness in the mid-palate, but the fruit just kept piling in (definitely a blend!). Unfortunately, I didn't detect any of the floral or peppery notes that I relate to Syrah (which dominates this blend), so I definitely could not have called that. Whether that's to do with my tasting capacity or the fact that the wine has yet to open up when I tasted, that requires further study although I can't say I'd like to. It's just too tiring to drink, despite it's distinct complexity in the line-up. WOTN for a few in the group.
Another blind I found tiring to drink and impossible to identify in my current state. In hindsight, the latter makes sense given the Todos is always a kitchen sink blend (50% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petite Sirah, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Sangiovese, 2% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Viognier, 1% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Sémillon) - the structure would expectedly be quite misleading. In any case, credit where credit is due, I still did identify the wine to be a new world red blend. The fruit was just too clean and concentrated to be from the old world, which was just plain glaring in a blind line-up of mostly Rioja's. Plus, you can definitely feel the alcohol here. Heaps of black fruits, with some blue fruits thrown in the mix, along with earth, meat and five-spice powder framing the fruit. The tannin structure was all over the place - medium-to-high levels, which started on the front of the palate and ended in the gums. Again, I thought it might have been a Cabernet-dominated blend with that sense of structural hollowness in the mid-palate, but the fruit just kept piling in (definitely a blend!). Unfortunately, I didn't detect any of the floral or peppery notes that I relate to Syrah (which dominates this blend), so I definitely could not have called that. Whether that's to do with my tasting capacity or the fact that the wine has yet to open up when I tasted, that requires further study although I can't say I'd like to. It's just too tiring to drink, despite it's distinct complexity in the line-up. WOTN for a few in the group.
Apr 18th, 2022
Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com
#sbcountywines #sbcounty #santabarbaracounty #syrah
Nov 20th, 2021
And so started the afternoon! Wait to see more!
And so started the afternoon! Wait to see more!
Jul 3rd, 2018
Impressive fruit, lots of leather, cigar box and herbs. Bitter tannins on the back end, but a very solid effort.
Impressive fruit, lots of leather, cigar box and herbs. Bitter tannins on the back end, but a very solid effort.
Jun 1st, 2018
Light on its feet for being 78% Syrah. Floral and dark earth notes.
Light on its feet for being 78% Syrah. Floral and dark earth notes.
Oct 25th, 2017
Super dark, meaty, earthy, dark fruity, and very Rhone-y. Yeah, that’s the word.
Super dark, meaty, earthy, dark fruity, and very Rhone-y. Yeah, that’s the word.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 21st, 2023
Reed had this 3 years ago
Reed had this 3 years ago
1 person found it helpfulApr 24th, 2021Graphite, pencil, lead, smoked earth, tobacco and assorted dark fruits emerge from the bottle. Am I a fan or what..😁👍🏽✌🏼🍷
Graphite, pencil, lead, smoked earth, tobacco and assorted dark fruits emerge from the bottle. Am I a fan or what..😁👍🏽✌🏼🍷
1 person found it helpfulJan 23rd, 2021Every bit a SQN..... yes that’s right and you heard it from me first.
Every bit a SQN..... yes that’s right and you heard it from me first.
1 person found it helpfulJul 3rd, 2020
A blend of 47% Syrah, 28% Cab Sauv and adding Cab Franc, Sangiovese, Viognier, Petit Verdot & Metlot. Deep Ruby with complex aromas of dark fruit, spice, almonds and wet earth. On the palate blackberry, currant and raspberry flavors, soft tannins on a long finish ending with leather, pepper and oak tones. Very Nice, a beauty.
A blend of 47% Syrah, 28% Cab Sauv and adding Cab Franc, Sangiovese, Viognier, Petit Verdot & Metlot. Deep Ruby with complex aromas of dark fruit, spice, almonds and wet earth. On the palate blackberry, currant and raspberry flavors, soft tannins on a long finish ending with leather, pepper and oak tones. Very Nice, a beauty.
1 person found it helpfulJan 11th, 2020