2011 El Alma de Jonata

(80% new French oak): Glass-staining ruby. Heady scents of black and blue fruit preserves, potpourri and candied licorice, with sexy Asian spice and mint nuances in the background.  Sweet, high-pitched and sharply delineated, showing excellent depth and clarity to the blackcurrant, mineral and floral pastille flavors.  Finishes long and smoky, with supple tannins and an echoing floral pastille note.

The Cabernet Franc-based El Alma de Jonata is magnificent in 2011. Violets, savory herbs, mint, plum and black cherries burst from the glass in an explosive, deeply varietal wine loaded with class, pedigree and elegance. Cabernet Franc notes take on greater prominence as the Alma opens up in the glass. This is one of the best wines that have come off this property. A second bottle that had been opened 24 hours before this tasting was positively explosive.

While there was no El Almas produced in 2010 due to late rains, the 2011 El Alma de Jonata is beautiful. Most similar to the 2008, with pure, pretty notes of wild herbs, dark chocolate, tobacco, crushed flowers and currants, it flows onto the palate with beautiful freshness and purity, big richness and a great finish. Give it another couple of years and enjoy it through 2026. Drink 2015-2026. This was an incredible tasting with winemaker Matt Dees. This estate continues to produce some of the most impressive, long-lived wines in Santa Barbara. As I’ve learned from past tasting, it’s always best to schedule this appointment at the end of the day as these effort have no shortage of tannin and can wreak havoc on one’s palate. While I’ve routinely tasted the La Sangre de Jonata for a number of years now, it was great to be able to go back through past vintages of this estate’s other wines. In addition to these efforts bottled under the Jonata label, I was also able to taste their The Hilt and The Pairing releases, both of which are also reviewed in this report (and highly recommended). Tel. (805) 564-8581; www.jonata.com