97pts Vinous
The 2019 El Desafio de Jonata is one of the most complete wines I have tasted from Jonata. It is exceptionally harmonious for such a young wine, a big departure from the days when these wines were pretty monolithic at a similar stage. Inky dark red/purplish berry fruit, lavender and spice meld together in a Cabernet-based wine that marries unctuous fruit and freshness, with polished tannins to wrap it all up. The ability to make wine in a new, state of the art facility seems to have really paid off.
96pts James Suckling
Currants and fresh herbs such as thyme and sage. Blackcurrants. Lead pencil. Metal shavings. Medium-bodied with fine velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Hints of walnuts. Very refined. Drink or hold.
96pts Decanter
This dark and concentrated Cabernet shows impressive balance and poise, for all its deceptive tannins. Let this one open up in the glass. The nose plays to sweetness with lovely florals, cassis, blue fruit, and warm spice, then to savoriness with crushed herbs, forest botanicals, anise, and graphite. Layers evolve in the glass, from focused berry and dark cherry fruit to resiny herbs to a vein of earth and minerality against a backbone of supple structure.
95pts Jeb Dunnuck
The Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine in the lineup, the 2019 El Desafio De Jonata has a dense, regal, structured, and full-bodied style to go with matching powerful black fruits as well as notes of crushed stone, lead pencil, and iron nuances. It's another impressive, rich, structured beauty that does everything right, although it's not for the instant gratification crowd. Give it 3-4 years if you can, and it's going to cruise for a solid 15+ from cold cellars.
