Jonata El Alma de Jonata Cabernet franc California Santa Ynez Valley 2007

 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. (JD)