La Sangre de Jonata Syrah 2009 Jonata

Classification
Type	Rouge
Marque	Jonata
Millésime	2009
Pays	États Unis
Région	Central Coast
Raisin	Syrah/Shiraz
Volume
État	Parfait
Étiquette	Parfait
Consommable	-2035
Stock	21

Avis professionnels

Robert Parker (94)

The 2009 La Sangre de Jonata is very awkward at first, but gradually opens up to reveal huge fruit backed up by equally imposing, masculine tannin. If opened today, the wine will require quite a bit of air. Ideally, it is best left alone for several years. At this stage, the aromas and flavors are very much primary. It is the wine's textural elegance and layered personality that impress above all else. With air, the wine truly begins to blossom. In 2009, there is just a touch (1%) of Viognier in the blend. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021.

Jonata truly stands out in the Central Coast as a producer of exceptionally refined wines. This year I tasted with Winemaker Matt Dees and General Manager Armand de Maigret. According to Dees, macerations were quite long in 2009 because the grapes had very high levels of phenolic ripeness. Vintage 2010 was trickier, especially with regards to rain that claimed at least one victim, the Cabernet Franc-based El Alma de Jonata, which was not produced that year. The 2009 reds were all in bottle, while the 2010 reds were in barrel. I also tasted the new releases from The Hilt, a new Pinot/Chardonnay project that is reviewed separately in these pages.

Winespectator (99)

Jeb Dunnck: Meaning the blood of Syrah, the 2009 Jonata Winery La Sangre de Jonata is aptly named and represents the sheer essence of Syrah. A blend of 98% Syrah and 2% co-fermented Viognier, it’s thrillingly dense and rich, with spectacularly deep, classy aromas of blackberry, charcoal, blood, lavender, and violets that literally soar from the glass. Incredibly concentrated and rich, this hits the palate with a full-bodied, dense, layered texture that partially conceals the massive underlying structure and tannin of the wine. Similarly styled to the ’07, yet possibly even more firm and structured, this is fun to taste at the moment, but not much fun to drink. It desperately needs 5-7 years of bottle age, and given how the ’04 is showing now, will have 2+ decades or more of longevity.

BOW (8.50)