Jonata 2021 "El Desafio" Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley

97 Points Parker                                                  
Limited new release from Jonata, one of Santa Barbara's most excusive producers and winemaker Matt Dees.

Dedicated to expressing a range of red—and a handful of white—wines from its estate in the central coast of California’s Ballard Canyon (Santa Ynez Appellation), Jonata is one of a new breed of producers throughout the world who are thriving with a non-traditional amalgam of varieties and blends. With a commitment in particular to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, and informed by cutting edge viticulture, winemaking, the Jonata wines are on the vanguard of an emerging quality movement in California winegrowing.

97+ Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated 2021 El Desafio De Jonata (96% Cabernet Sauvignon along with splashes of Cabernet Franc and Merlot) is inky hued and boasts awesome notes of blackcurrants, leafy tobacco, sappy flowers, incense, and gravelly earth. With incredible purity, medium to full body, ripe yet substantial tannins, and a great core of beautiful fruit, it will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and evolve for 2-3 decades. It's that good."

97+ Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "“The 2021 El Desafío de Jonata – 96% Cabernet Sauvignon … Dark fruit, tobacco, incense, scorched earth, minerals and dried herbs all race across the palate. Calistoga meets Saint-Estèphe in Ballard Canyon. El Desafío is one of the most impressive wines I tasted this year in Santa Barbara.”