JONATA WINERY
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA
WHY BUY:
Our recent taste-through of Jonata Winery's brilliant portfolio (including this 99-pointer, two 98-pointers, and a 97+-pointer) confirmed what we've come to learn over the years: this estate (owned by the same partners as Screaming Eagle and crafted by rockstar winemaker Matt Dees) is putting out some of the most rewarding, most delicious wines in all of California. The fact that they manage to deliver this level of excellence for a fraction of what the big names command is remarkable, and makes these bottles all that much harder to resist. If you’re not already on board the Jonata train, it’s time to avail yourself of these minimal-intervention, limited-production, gorgeously-finessed wines.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
Jeb Dunnuck awarded 99 points to the Sangre 'Blood' Syrah 2021, comparing it to a Côte Rôtie "from the more schist soils in the northern part of the appellation" and praising it as "rich and full-bodied, with building yet incredibly polished tannins and a great finish." He called it "easily up with the finest ever made, this tour de force in Syrah needs to be tasted to be believed." He was equally impressed with the 98-point Alma 'Soul' Cabernet Franc 2021, likening it to "a great vintage of Château Figeac," with "gorgeously polished, integrated tannins, and an incredible finish." Vinous echoed this enthusiasm in its assessment of the Fenix 'Phoenix' Bordeaux-Style Blend 2020, a nearly-all Merlot bottling that it deemed "one of the finest wines [we] have ever tasted from Jonata. Dark, rich and bursting with pure unbridled energy, the Fenix is shaping up to be tremendous.” As for the Desafio 'Defiance' Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, both Vinous and Dunnuck awarded it 97+ points, with the latter describing it as a wine of "incredible purity, medium to full body, ripe yet substantial tannins, and a great core of beautiful fruit."
OUR TASTING NOTES:
Tasting the Sangre 'Blood' Syrah 2021, we were reminded why we fell in love with wine in the first place. There's an intensity here that builds rather than announces itself, a structural sophistication that makes most California Syrah feel like amateur hour. And the way the tannins are integrated is nothing short of magical. The Alma 'Soul' Cabernet Franc 2021 pulled a similar trick, demonstrating Dees's mastery of what we might call "tannin architecture”: the way he constructs these wines from the ground up with a precision that's almost mathematical, yet the wines never show it; they're utterly soulful. The Desafio 'Defiance' Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 carries itself with an almost startling confidence; it’s concentrated and structured in ways that challenge every preconception about California Cabernet outside of Napa. The Fenix 'Phoenix' Bordeaux-Style Blend 2020 showcases the kind of sophisticated blending that turns good wines into great ones. As for the Todos 'Everyone' Red Wine Vineyard Blend 2020, it proves that accessibility and excellence aren't mutually exclusive.
THE SPECS:
All wines are crafted from estate-grown fruit in the Ballard Canyon AVA of Santa Ynez Valley, where sandy soils and Mediterranean climate create ideal conditions for Bordeaux and Rhône varietals. Dees employs minimal intervention winemaking and uses only sustainable farming practices so that the terroir can express itself through each vintage.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH:
The bolder the flavors, the better for these big, rich wines: grilled lamb with herbs, barbecued ribs,roasted duck, or rich braises and hearty stews.
OUR GUARANTEE:
These limited-production wines come directly from the estate with pristine provenance. Given the critical acclaim and limited availability, we recommend securing your allocation immediately — we don’t expect them to stick around for long.
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2025 (Dec. 21st - March 20th, 2026). With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer is for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, October 26th, 2025.