2008 El Desafio de Jonata

A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest an assortment of varieties, the 2008 El Desafio de Jonata shows more gamey, herb and spice as well as bright acidity, full-bodied power and a superb texture. Not quite at the level of the 2007, it’s nevertheless a brilliant Cabernet that will have 15+ years of longevity. Drink now-2023+. This was an incredible tasting with winemaker Matt Dees. This estate continues to produce some of the most impressive, long-lived wines in Santa Barbara. As I’ve learned from past tasting, it’s always best to schedule this appointment at the end of the day as these effort have no shortage of tannin and can wreak havoc on one’s palate. While I’ve routinely tasted the La Sangre de Jonata for a number of years now, it was great to be able to go back through past vintages of this estate’s other wines. In addition to these efforts bottled under the Jonata label, I was also able to taste their The Hilt and The Pairing releases, both of which are also reviewed in this report (and highly recommended).