Jonata "Todos" Red Blend 2020
(Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley, California) - [JD 93-95] [VM 92] [DM 92]

About the Winery:
The Jonata winery takes its name from the 1845 Spanish land grant, Rancho San Carlos de Jonata, as well as the Chumash word for “live oak” or “tall oak.” The Estate vineyard was planted in 2000 in the Southwest corner of what would become the Ballard Canyon Appellation in 2013. The terroir of Jonata property is unique to this site, comprised of eight hundred feet deep Careaga sands. These sands are extremely calcareous, retain almost no water and are virtually devoid of nutrients. In fact, these soils are so poor and the site so unique that the property was thought to be unfit for grape growing.

In 'desafio' (defiance) of this conception, vineyard manager Ruben Solorzano hedged his bets and planted the eighty acres of vineyards to a potpourri of different grape varietals. The original planting was made with Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Syrah and, more recently, Grenache and Viognier — the Grenache was later ripped out and replaced with Petit Syrah. Today there are only twenty acres of Cabernet Franc and nine acres of Merlot in the entire Ballard Canyon Appellation, so to say that Jonata was bucking the trends would be an understatement to say the least!

About this Wine:

70% Syrah, 15% Petite Sirah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 2% Misc (red & white)
Barrel Regime: 20 months in 35% new French oak, 65% neutral French oak

2545 Cases Produced

Alcohol 14.9%

Tasting Notes:
"Dark, gamey, and inviting. So many layers aromatically from mulberry and black pepper to creosote and black truffle. Supple and soft with a huge dollop of black fruit and a mesmerizing creamy texture. Backbone of spicy and savory flavors with clove, black tea, and prosciutto. Chewy structure that lasts, but eventually gives in to the waves of fruit on the finish. A complete snapshot of Jonata in the 2022 vintage with unmatched fruit intensity and pure expression. Wonderfully expansive push of dark fruit that swirls across the palate. Pushes brambly mulberry notes on and on." - Matt Dees, Winemaker

Ratings & Reviews

93-95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Another wine that's just about to be bottled is the 2020 Todos, which is a final blend of 57% Syrah, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Sirah, 6% Cabernet Franc, and the rest a mix of varieties. Ripe blueberries, fresh plums, chocolate, and peppery notes all define the nose, and it's full-bodied, with a plush, rounded texture, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It should be a no-brainer purchase.” (Aug 2022)

92 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"This wine has a feral edge to it, as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and bit players come together in a 10-variety ‘kitchen sink’ blend. Pungent floral aromas give way to dark chocolate, mint, and wild mountain blueberries. The palate reflects the same fresh mint notes, with baking spices, pepper bacon, espresso bean and ripe huckleberries. There's a real streak of graphite minerality and a finish marked by cocoa powder." – Clive Pursehouse (Jan 2024)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2020 Todos, as the name says, is Jonata's red blend. Although an entry-level offering, Todos punches above its weight. Dark cherry, chocolate, new leather, licorice, spice and scorched earth all run through this Syrah-based blend. I loved it.” – Antonio Galloni (Aug 2022)