2007 Jonata "El Alma de Jonata" Santa Ynez Valley Red Wine

97 Points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Moving to their Bordeaux blends, the El Alma de Jonata is the estate’s Cabernet Franc- dominated blend and normally incorporates 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and smaller components of Merlot and Petit Verdot. The 2007 El Alma de Jonata got a big “Wow” in my notes and is an incredible Cabernet Franc from California. Deep, rich and layered, with full-bodied richness, massive structure and ripe tannin, it offers up complex notes of chocolate, black currants, lead pencil shavings and toast as well as no hard edges and blockbuster length. It should continue to evolve gracefully, but there’s no harm in drinking it now either."

96 Points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine: "Based on Cabernet Franc, with splashes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, this complex wine is rich and softly tannic. It shows the fat, fleshy appeal of Cabernet Franc from the great 2007 vintage, and it has developed a mellowness from bottle age. It still offers oak-infused blackberry, cherry and dark chocolate flavors, plus emerging notes of herbs." (4/1/2013)

93 Points Vinous: (89% cabernet franc, 7% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot and 1% petit verdot) Glass-staining ruby. Pungent dark fruits and flowers on the nose, with complicating notes of licorice, pipe tobacco and minerals. Spicy, palate-staining blackcurrant and bitter cherry flavors are enlivened by juicy acidity and pick up exotic floral and fruitcake qualities in the mid-palate. Large-scaled but structured, with excellent finishing clarity and sweet, sappy persistence. Shows the potential for this variety in a warm climate and from a hot vintage." (11/2010)

90 Points from Wine Spectator: "Floral cherry, strawberry and raspberry aromas are vivid and focused, intense and vibrant, leading to a full body. This is tight and sleek, with fine-grained tannins and detailed mineral, sage and black licorice. Ends with pretty oak shadings. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2017. 510 cases made." (11/15/2010)