2010 Jonata La Sangre de Jonata

(96% syrah and 4% viognier; 50% new oak): Saturated ruby. Oak-spiced cherry and blackberry liqueur aromas are complicated by notes of violet, olive tapenade and pipe tobacco. Lush and expansive, offering vibrant, deeply concentrated dark fruit and floral pastille flavors that pick up smoke and spice with air. Smooth and sweet on the long finish, which features supple tannins and an echo of candied flowers.

Looking at Matt’s Syrah blend, the La Sangre de Jonata is normally co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier and is aged all in larger format barrels. Showing just as good from bottle as from barrel, the 2010 La Sangre de Jonata is a brilliant Syrah. Co-fermented with 3% Viognier, its inky purple color is followed by a massive, concentrated and structured wine that tastes like the essence of Syrah. Cassis, spice, ink, chocolate, flowers and roasted meat-like aromas and flavors all emerge from the glass and this is formidably structured and tannic on the palate. In need of another 3-4 years of bottle age, it will have 15-20 years of longevity. Drink 2016-2025. 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). Tel. (805) 564-8581; www.jonata.com

The 2010 La Sangre de Jonata is striking in its beauty. An exotic tapestry of smoke, grilled herbs, tar, asphalt, black fruit and a host of varietal notes unfolds gradually. A brooding, explosive wine, the 2010 impresses for its exceptional overall balance and sheer purity. The 2010 is 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier, aged in French oak barrels, 50% new. Winemaker Matt Dees has moved to slightly larger barrels (350L, 500L and 600L), a decision that has paid off handsomely so far.