2017 Jonata ‘El Alma De Jonata’ Cabernet Franc Santa Barbara County

WSI96 VIN96 The 2017 El Alma de Jonata, the estate’s Cabernet Franc-based wine, is bright, aromatically explosive and just striking in its beauty. Bright red fruit, blood orange, menthol and plum race out of the glass in a wine endowed with tremendous energy, tension and pure class. Medium in body, with tremendous aromatic intensity and drive, the Alma is positively striking. The 2017 is one of the very finest editions I can remember tasting. In a word: dazzling.
JD95 The 300 case 2017 El Alma De Jonata is the Cabernet Franc-dominated cuvée, a blend of 86% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright cherry, blackberry, ground herbs, lead pencil, and crushed violet notes all emerge from the glass, and this beauty is incredibly seamless, pure, and polished on the palate. With ultra-fine tannins, a great mid-palate, and plenty of structure, it’s a more fresh, focused, classic example of this cuvée. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades.
Winemaker Notes: Sophisticated and lifted nose of fresh herbs, dried roses and ripe fig. Tart raspberry, bay leaf, dark Gaviota strawberry and red currants lead the attack. Freshly turned soil, chalk dust and cacao nibs lend a textural counterpoint to the suave fruit. Beetroot, blood orange, pencil shavings and cedar. A cooling, vibrant and immensely soulful Alma. Finishes with big push of dark fruit, cacao, green mint and grilled meat. An ethereal and poignant cabernet franc blend. One can sense the maturity of the vines in the added layer of refinement and subtlety. 300 cases.