2012 El Desafio de Jonata
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Tasting notes
The 2012 El Desafio de Jonata is a ripe, more expressive blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot. It offers lots of blackcurrants, black raspberry, toasted spice and dried herbs in an extroverted, sexy, layered style. It's no doubt a beautiful drink today yet has 10-15 years of additional prime drinking. Like a lot of 2012s, it's reminiscent of the 2007, yet I remain convinced the 2007s have another level of concentration and depth. Nevertheless, this is another great wine. Based out of Ballard Canyon and run by superstar winemaker Matt Dees (Michel Rolland also consults here), Jonata makes a bevy of brilliant wines from Rhône, Bordeaux, and Burgundian varieties. The El Desafio de Jonata release is the Cabernet Sauvignon-based release, and it normally includes upwards of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The elevage is in plenty of new oak, yet I rarely find any noticeable oak in the cuvee. The 2005 is just now entering its prime drink window, and this is unquestionably one of the longest-lived cuvees coming out of Santa Barbara today.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Probably the longest-lived wine in the vintage from Santa Barbara, Jonata's 630-case 2012 El Desafio de Jonata checks in as a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot that saw 80% new French oak. It reveals a masculine, meaty, structured personality as well as rockin' notes of blackcurrants, wood smoke, lead pencil shavings and crushed rock. Full-bodied, balanced and with building tannic grip, it still shows the suppleness of the vintage, but needs 2-3 years to even start to be drinkable. It will have 2-3 decades of longevity.
The Cabernet Sauvignon-based 2012 El Desafio de Jonata graces the palate with its sensual personality. Raspberry jam, pomegranate, leather, smoke, spice and tobacco all blossom in the glass. Big, rich and inviting, the 2012 boasts superb intensity and resonance, although it doesn't quite have the visceral thrill of the very best wines in this range. Shades of rose petal and mint add the closing shades of nuance. The 2012 was aged in French oak, 80% new.
Jonata's 2012 El Desafio de Jonata captures the best qualities of the year in its sophisticated, impeccably polished personality. A totally symmetrical and seamless wine, the 2012 graces the palate with generous dark fruit supported by silky tannins that convey an impression of suppleness. There is plenty to look forward to in the 2012, a wine that should drink well with minimal cellaring.
About the producer
Jonata is amongst a handful of truly exciting wineries from Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara – a unique fine wine region of incredible versatility.