From the folks who brought you Screaming Eagle…
Situated in an old-world, 12’ by 18’ stone building on a rocky Oakville hillside, Screaming Eagle is one of Napa’s smallest wineries. Since its first release of 200 or so cases in 1992 Screaming Eagle has soaked adulation like The Beatles on Ed Sullivan. One of California’s most sought after wines, its high quality, rave reviews and insanely small production numbers translate to a product that fetches quite lofty prices; in 2001 a collector paid $650,000 for eight extremely rare 3.0L bottles spanning from 1992 to 1999.
Aged in 65% new French oak in a small cave for nearly two years, Screaming Eagle’s still-diminutive production figures hover around 500 cases per annum with the preponderance shipped directly to eager mailing list members. The winery’s website is dark and bare. Reminiscent of the curt gatekeeper of Oz, it consists merely of contact info and a brief FAQ page that informs eager wine hunters that they, like the shivering hopefuls in search of season tickets to Lambeau Field, have virtually no chance at serendipity unless someone goes toes up. “Production cannot nearly accommodate the demand evidenced by the existing waiting list…” the site reads. “With a waiting list of this length it is unlikely that you will be able to purchase wine directly from the winery, and therefore we have stopped adding names…” Bummer. What do we drink while we wait? Read on…there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
A stone’s throw from the mystical Hans Christian Anderson Park just off the western edge of Los Padres National Forest lies Jonata [pronounced “Ho-nah-ta”], the exciting offshoot project from the heralded artisans at Screaming Eagle. Named for an 1845 land grant inked by California’s last Mexican governor, Pio Pico, the vineyards occupy the old Rancho San Carlos de Jonata of Santa Ynez Valley, a prosperous family-owned horse and cattle ranch that fell from grace after the drought of 1876-1877.
The goal of Jonata is to produce captivating Bordeaux blends, the current success of which Robert Parker stresses is “mind-boggling.” Upon tasting Jonata’s 2006 and 2007 barrel samples, Parker averred that “this is one of California’s most exciting new wineries.”
For the first time ever, we are proud to offer the dynamic wines of Jonata. A few bottles remain of both the 05 La Tierra and the 05 Corazon.
2005 Jonata La Tierra $64.99
The 2005 La Tierra de Jonata (93% Sangiovese and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon) continues Jonata’s penchant for producing the finest Sangiovese in California. A deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a sumptuously rich nose of strawberries, new saddle leather, licorice, roasted herbs, and spice. Expansive, round, and medium-bodied with terrific fruit purity and intensity, this amazing wine should drink beautifully for 5-6 years. 93 points, The Wine Advocate
2005 Jonata Corazon $69.99
The 2005 El Corazon de Jonata (41% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Sauvignon Blanc) is denser, richer, and more perfumed than its 2004 counterpart. The overall impression is one of a sensual/seductive wine boasting an inky/blue/purple color as well as copious amounts of blue, red, and black fruits interwoven with truffle, charcoal, and graphite scents. This full-bodied, powerful 2005 offers both significant flavor authority and elegance. It will last for 15 or more years. 94 points, The Wine Advocate
~Shawn Reynolds, B-21
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