Jonata - El Desafio 2012

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Probably the longest-lived wine in the vintage from Santa Barbara, Jonata's 630-case 2012 El Desafio de Jonata checks in as a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot that saw 80% new French oak. It reveals a masculine, meaty, structured personality as well as rockin' notes of blackcurrants, wood smoke, lead pencil shavings and crushed rock. Full-bodied, balanced and with building tannic grip, it still shows the suppleness of the vintage, but needs 2-3 years to even start to be drinkable. It will have 2-3 decades of longevity."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2012 El Desafio de Jonata is a ripe, more expressive blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot. It offers lots of blackcurrants, black raspberry, toasted spice and dried herbs in an extroverted, sexy, layered style. It's no doubt a beautiful drink today yet has 10-15 years of additional prime drinking. Like a lot of 2012s, it's reminiscent of the 2007, yet I remain convinced the 2007s have another level of concentration and depth. Nevertheless, this is another great wine."