Syrah is taking center stage in Santa Barbara’s Ballard Canyon, and Jonata has set the high bar for all other producers. The 2017 La Sangre de Jonata (the blood of the live oak) is a blend of 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier with soaring aromatics of crushed violets, cassis, blueberries, and ground pepper. The wine is generous and expansive with notes of plum, black cherry, lavender, and sage on the palate. Full-bodied, dense, and lush, framed by elegant tannins and a superb compact finish that lingers effortlessly. This is hitting on all cylinders now should you, like me, be unable to control yourself and cellar it. However, I expect this will unfold with layers upon layers in the years to come.
Jonata, Ballard Cannon, Santa Ynez Valley (Santa Barbara County, California) Syrah 2017
By Miranda Franco