2021 JONATA Fenix Bordeaux-style blend

Fenix "Phoenix"

An especially sultry and sleek vintage for our merlot. From day one, this wine has wowed with it elegance and silky black fruit. It is truly the essence of Luxardo cherry and fresh sage. Lovely notes of blackberry, graphite, cedar and blackcurrant. Like all of the Bordeaux varieties produced from JONATA in 2021, there is a hydrated, luscious and tender element to the fruit that shines from beginning to end. Enough scorched earth and herbal nuance to give layers of complexity and depth. New leather and Christmas pudding. A very classy and graceful shift from the silk on the palate to the pure cacao chocolate structure and black plum on the finish. Powdery tannins that embrace and frame the dense texture. A balanced and graceful merlot that wins with unmatched textural decadence. Such a pleasure to drink today.

- Winemaker, Matt Dees

Cases: 1,265

Blend: 77% merlot, 14% cabernet sauvignon, 9% cabernet franc

Alcohol: 14.5%

Appellation: Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley

Barrel Regime: 50% new French oak, 50% twice used French oak (225L)

97 Points Antonio Galloni, Vinous | 96 Points Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com