Mission Codename Why NOTa??
And the die-hard cognoscenti know all about Jonata…
“Winemaker Matt Dees continues to fashion world-class wines at Jonata. 2018 is a great vintage for the estate. The wines show the vintage’s fresher, more elegant and seamless style…” says Jeb Dunnuck
Their status as one of the best Central Coast producers is unrivaled and undisputed.
A recent Forbes article spotlights the remarkable investment in this unique winery: “In the case of Jonata, carte blanche, rather than conventional wisdom, seems a mantra, thanks to owner Stan Kroenke and his wife, Ann (daughter of Walmart co-founder James Walton), whose business empire includes… Napa Valley’s prestigious Screaming Eagle winery.”
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous attests “The 2018s from Jonata are positively stellar. Like pretty much most estates, Jonata benefitted from a long, growing season… Over the last few years, the Jonata wines have become increasingly refined and nuanced. That is especially evident in 2018, a year that naturally favors freshness and vibrancy.”
Jest a few cases sadly… as Jeb Dunnuck said you can’t go wrong at this estate!
97 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
“The 2018 La Sangre de Jonata is another wine in this range that is all finesse. Time in the glass releases a range of dark red cherry, plum fruit, along with wild flowers, herbs, licorice, mint and blood orange. All of the strands are woven together in an absolutely impeccable, flat out delicious Syrah that dazzles from start to finish. This 2018 is a drop-dead gorgeous Sangre. Drink 2022-2033.”
96-98 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2018 La Sangre de Jonata is 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier brought up in 15% new French oak (8% whole clusters). The 2018 will be a gorgeous vintage for this cuvée, offering lots of bloody blue and black fruits, ground pepper, and smoked meat notes as well as a full-bodied, precise, yet still opulent style on the palate. It’s going to need 3-4 years of bottle age, but it will be a gorgeous wine.”
What the Winery Says
2018 'La Sangre de Jonata' Ballard Canyon Red
- Winemaker
- Matt Dees
- Varietals
- 97% Syrah, 3% Viognier
- Vintage
- 2018
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Appellation
- Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County
- Fermentation
- 24-hour cold-soak, 100% stainless steel
- Aging
- 20 months
- Barrels
- 80% new French oak