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
Graphite, 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
Drank the ‘14 and ‘15 side by side last night. 2 very different blends and as such 2 very different wines. Both good! The ‘15 nose fragrant and pleasing. The higher blend of Sangiovese softens the edges of the ‘15 vs. the ‘14. The ‘14 has very little Sangiovese and more Cab sauv. The ‘14 nose is a bit chemical. The ‘14 has more depth and nuance. The Syrah base sings through on both.
Drank the ‘14 and ‘15 side by side last night. 2 very different blends and as such 2 very different wines. Both good! The ‘15 nose fragrant and pleasing. The higher blend of Sangiovese softens the edges of the ‘15 vs. the ‘14. The ‘14 has very little Sangiovese and more Cab sauv. The ‘14 nose is a bit chemical. The ‘14 has more depth and nuance. The Syrah base sings through on both.
Jan 14th, 2021
This wine is really delicious! Notes forthcoming possibly!
Last post for a few months! Putting the wine glass down and lacing up my Saucony running shoes. Sometimes our passions do not blend! Daughter's wedding beginning of August..working on weight loss! Cheers to all and be safe!
This wine is really delicious! Notes forthcoming possibly!
Last post for a few months! Putting the wine glass down and lacing up my Saucony running shoes. Sometimes our passions do not blend! Daughter's wedding beginning of August..working on weight loss! Cheers to all and be safe!
Love this mild, soft fruity flavored Syrah!
Love this mild, soft fruity flavored Syrah!
Jan 14th, 2020
Starts fine then drives off a cliff
Starts fine then drives off a cliff
Dec 31st, 2017
Full rich dark fruits red bloody color. Nice
Full rich dark fruits red bloody color. Nice
Nov 23rd, 2017