Jonata Fenix Red Wine Santa Ynez Valley 2007
I recently took a trip to CA to visit my daughter to celebrate her birthday and wanted to taste some great wines I cannot readily get back east. We visited Jonata Winery in Santa Barbara. In a word, WOW! The name Jonata pays homage to the 1845 Spanish land grant, Rancho San Carlos de Jonata. At the time the land grant covered a large part of the Santa Ynez Valley. Today’s Jonata is at the heart of the former land grant. The Jonata name was borrowed by the first pioneers from the local Chumash Indian and means “tall oak”.
One of the wines we tasted, recommended and poured by Katie Lynn Root, (see photo above), was Jonata’s 2007 Fenix. The Fenix is a blend of 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, and aged in 75% New French Oak and 25% neutral oak. This was Jonata’s first Merlot based wine. Observing the pour I saw a dense Ruby color swirling in the glass. The nose was lush with blue and black fruits, complex, yet subtle spice, with smoky notes. The palate revealed a luxurious wine with plump blueberry and plum flavors, vanilla oak with pepper and herb notes. The wine is well balanced with a great mouthfeel, soft tannins, pleasant acidity and finishes with a lingering ending noting some espresso notes. Only 227 cases of this outstanding Gem was produced. Tasting Sample.
Cheers!