Jonata 2017 El Desafio Cabernet, Ballard Canyon Santa Ynez – 98 Points

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points: “The Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated cuvée is the 2017 El Desafio De Jonata, which includes 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. It’s another inky colored wine from this team and offers a brilliant bouquet of crème de cassis, tobacco leaf, cedar, bay leaf, and crushed rocks. Beautifully concentrated and balanced, with a Bordeaux-like structure and regal style, it’s a magical Cabernet Sauvignon that’s going to benefit from 7-8 years of bottle age yet keep for 20-30 years.”

Vinous 97 Points: “The 2017 El Desafio de Jonata is another positively stellar wine in this range. Two thousand seventeen is one of the few years in which Cabernet is so dominant. Rich and explosive, with tremendous vertical thrust, the 2017 oozes with class and intensity. Crème de cassis, new leather, licorice, sweet spice and menthol are some of the many notes that build as this statuesque, alluring wine shows off its pedigree. In 2017, the blend is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Wow…!”

Matt Dees, Winemaker: “Absolute essence of cassis and mint. Scorched earth, grilled bread, porcini and bay leaf. Blueberry and ripe tobacco. Explodes on the palate with tremendous quantities of black, dense fruit. Layer after layer. Stays focused and poised with good tension and acid backbone. Gently coating silky tannins. Perfect balance and pedigree and a heightened level of elegance and clarity. Shows the huge potential of cabernet sauvignon from the 17-year old vines on our sandy soils. A Desafio of exceptional precision and understated power.”

FYI: Jonata is owned by Stan Kroenke, owner of Screaming Eagle