2005 Jonata La Tierra de Jonata

Dark red. Peppery red berry and cherry aromas are complicated by dried rose and vanilla, with pungent herbs and roasted coffee coming up with aeration. Fleshy raspberry and cherry flavors are firmed by dusty tannins but offer a suave, sweet personality. Finishes with an elegant, almost restrained bitter cherry and floral pastille qualities. This benefited enormously from being open for a while.

The 2005 La Tierra de Jonata (93% Sangiovese and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon) continues Jonata’s penchant for producing the finest Sangiovese in California. A deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a sumptuously rich nose of strawberries, new saddle leather, licorice, roasted herbs, and spice. Expansive, round, and medium-bodied with terrific fruit purity and intensity, this amazing wine should drink beautifully for 5-6 years.

The 2005 La Tierra de Jonata (93% Sangiovese and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon) continues Jonata’s penchant for producing the finest Sangiovese in California. A deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a sumptuously rich nose of strawberries, new saddle leather, licorice, roasted herbs, and spice. Expansive, round, and medium-bodied with terrific fruit purity and intensity, this amazing wine should drink beautifully for 5-6 years. It appears 2006 has produced slightly lighter, but high-class wines without the weight and power of the 2005s. The Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Franc are especially noteworthy. The only wine that did not excite me was a non-vintage blend of 81% sweet botrytised Semillon and 19% Sauvignon Blanc. A combination of 2004, 2005, and 2006, the La Miel de Jonata was decidedly monolithic and one-dimensional compared to the other brilliant wines from this spectacular new producer in the Santa Ynez Valley. Fasten your seatbelts as these wines will give purchasers a serious ride for their money! Tel. (805) 564-8581