2006 El Desafio de Jonata
Buying options
Tasting notes
More fresh and elegant, the 2006 El Desafio de Jonata reveals classic Bordeaux notes of cassis, lead pencil shavings, leafy herbs and bay leaf. Rich, full-bodied, elegant and seamless, with nicely integrated acidity and fine tannin, it's a beautifully classy wine that has another decade or more of prime drinking. The blend of the 2006 is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot and Merlot, all of which spent 20 months in 80% new French oak. 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
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
(84% cabernet sauvignon, 9% cabernet franc, 6% petit verdot and 1% merlot) Deep ruby color. Musky cherry and cassis scents are complemented by tobacco, cedar and smoky herbs; this really smells like Bordeaux. Supple red berry, cherry and dark chocolate flavors combine intensity and depth, with fine-grained tannins adding structure. A very elegant and understated wine with excellent finishing clarity and persistence.
The 2006 El Desafio de Jonata, a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, and 1% Merlot, may be even better (it was scheduled to be bottled right after my visit). A beautiful black/purple color is accompanied by stunning aromas of creme de cassis, graphite, camphor, and incense. It exhibits tremendous intensity, beautiful sweet fruit, full-bodied power as well as purity, and a finish that lasts 45+ seconds. This amazing effort is the greatest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine ever made in the Santa Ynez appellation.
The 2006 El Desafio de Jonata, a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, and 1% Merlot, may be even better (it was scheduled to be bottled right after my visit). A beautiful black/purple color is accompanied by stunning aromas of creme de cassis, graphite, camphor, and incense. It exhibits tremendous intensity, beautiful sweet fruit, full-bodied power as well as purity, and a finish that lasts 45+ seconds. This amazing effort is the greatest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine ever made in the Santa Ynez appellation. This remarkable Santa Ynez estate is under the same ownership as Napa Valley’s Screaming Eagle winery. While well-known Bordeaux consultant, Michel Rolland, and Screaming Eagle’s winemaker, Andy Erickson, play important roles at Jonata, the people most responsible for the quality of the wines are owners Charles Banks, Stan Kroenke, and winemaker Matt Dees. Jonata’s debut vintage, the 2004s, were somewhat of a work in progress, but the 2005s convincingly established what compelling wines were about to emerge. The 2006s and a handful of 2007 barrel samples I tasted suggest this is one of California’s most exciting new wineries. What they are accomplishing with Bordeaux varietals is mind-boggling. I have included these cuvees since some of the blends include Rhone varietals. Tel. (805) 564-8581
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.