2021 Jonata 'La Sangre de Jonata' Syrah Ballard Canyon Santa Ynez Valley

"Lastly, the 2021 La Sangre De Jonata is Syrah-dominated but includes 4% Petite Sirah and a dollop of Viognier. Reminding me of a great Côte Rôtie from the more schist soils in the northern part of the appellation, its deep ruby/plum hue is followed by a masculine, powerful bouquet of ripe black and blue fruits, scorched earth, graphite, and peppered meat, with a kiss of spring flowers coming through on the palate. It's rich and full-bodied, with building yet incredibly polished tannins and a great finish. Easily up with the finest ever made, this tour de force in Syrah needs to be tasted to be believed, and while it offers pleasure today, it will benefit from just 2-4 years of bottle age and evolve for 20+." ~99 Jeb Dunnuck

"The 2021 La Sangre de Jonata is dazzling. Bright, powerful and explosive, the 2021 possesses tremendous intensity from start to finish. The aromatics alone are compelling, but the 2021 also has superb fruit depth and the structure to back it all up. Red purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, mocha, espresso and leather all saturate the palate. The 2021 finishes with tremendous power and substance. Magnificent." ~98 Vinous Media

"A huge, tight and concentrated wine with oodles of black fruit, graphite, wood char and dried blueberry flavors. Firm tannins wrap up cocoa, blackberry and espresso on the palate. Drink or hold." ~97 James Suckling

"One of the most wound-up wines in the range yet also one of the most generous, the 2021 La Sangre de Jonata is one of the more concentrated, decadent wines produced in Santa Barbara County but manages impressive balance and nuance. The nose is opaque and concentrated, but it displays lifted herbal and floral accents that form around a meaty, grilled core. The palate is remarkably plush yet palpably tight, initially only showing a shell of the power contained within. The finish is dramatic in its sturdy, slow-moving nature and admirably doesn't give away the game at the outset, instead continuing to swell in the glass dynamically. The tannin profile is quite chewy yet balanced by ripe, lush fruit flavors that linger with substantial length. It's a blend of 95% Syrah, 4% Petite Sirah and 1% Viognier." ~96 Wine Advocate