Jeb Dunnuck 99 points - The 2016 El Alma de Jonata is the Cabernet Franc-dominated cuvee. (There’s 11% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot in the blend.) This beauty sports an inky color as well as Cheval Blanc-like notes of black cherries, cassis, crushed flowers, graphite and lead pencil. The suppleness and sexiness of the 2016 vintage has worked magic on this wine, which is incredibly opulent, expansive and seamless on the palate, with awesome purity of fruit, present tannins, and a huge finish. It’s a tour de force from Santa Barbara that’s up with the best in the world. (Oct 2018)

The 2016 El Alma de Jonata is soft, supple and remarkably open-knit for a wine that was only recently bottled. Blackberry jam, espresso, menthol and licorice take on dark shades of expression in this somber yet unctuous Cabernet Franc-based blend from Jonata. Soft curves and silky tannins will make the 2016 easy to enjoy upon release.

The 2016 El Alma de Jonata is a blend of 86% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot aged in 70% new French oak. Medium to deep ruby-purple, it has a classic nose of sliced jalapeño, soy sauce, pipe tobacco and old leather with cocoa, blackcurrant bud, cassis, baked black plums and red fruit sparks plus cedar hints. Medium to full-bodied, it offers a nice interplay of savory, spice and fruit character in the mouth, with firm, chewy tannins and good freshness, finishing long. A powerful expression. 225 cases will be released this fall.