Jonata : El Desafio de Jonata Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

A balanced and precise Californian red wine by Jonata

The estate

Owned by Stan Kroenke, who also owns the iconic Screaming Eagle estate and Domaine Bonneau du Martray in Burgundy, Jonata is a benchmark among fine Californian wines. The estate is located in the Ballard Canyon AVA (American Viticultural Area) in the Santa Ynez Valley appellation in California's Central Coast region.

The vineyard

Of the 237 hectares of land acquired by Stan Kroenke, approximately 34 hectares are dedicated to vineyards. Jonata stands out due to its unique soils, which are predominantly sandy in the Ballard Canyon AVA and the Careaga area. Jonata's vineyards are planted with grape varieties inspired by the Bordeaux and Rhône Valley blending traditions. Syrah, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot have been successfully planted.

The vintage

2017 began with a rainy winter. Although the warm, dry spring favoured an early budburst, the cool weather during the flowering period had a strong impact on the size of the grapes and the yields, which fell by around 50%. The optimal conditions during June and July gave way to a particularly cool month of August. The alternation between heat and rain in September allowed the refined the ripening of the grapes. The plots harvested before the period of high temperatures stood out for the freshness of their grapes, while those harvested after this period produced dense and powerful grapes. This vintage offers an alluring purity, balance and complexity. This vintage offers an alluring purity, balance and complexity.

The blend

El Desafio de Jonata Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 by the Jonata Estate comprises a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Merlot (7%) and Petit Verdot (6%).

The tasting

Nose

The nose blends fruity fragrances (blackcurrant, blueberry) with notes of mint, burnt earth, toast, porcini mushrooms, bay leaves and ripe tobacco.

Palate

Lively and bright, the palate is seduced by this wine’s intense fruity notes, its concentration and its balance. Throughout the tasting experience, the precise tension and controlled power blend with a silky feel and fine tannins.