A vintage I’ll always remember for the endless summer conditions; warm and dry day after day. In a dry vintage that was often defined by large yields, Jonata was an exception. Taking a cue from the drought conditions, we entered the vineyard blocks early and often to drop fruit from the thirsty vines. After dropping the initial yields 50% from 2 clusters/shoot to 1 cluster/shoot, we made another pass cutting the remaining cluster in half. With a mere 25% of our original yield hanging, the vines were able to ripen to a concentrated and supremely intense level without added water stress. The wines show this intensity in spades. Expansive and focused, savory and chewy. These blends represent the perfect lens through which to view the confluence of the Santa Barbara sun and the Jonata sandy soils. A perfect match.
Still tight and closed, which is a great sign for a young Sangre with such a long life ahead. Scents of black plum, black pepper and soy sauce. Savory notes combine with lifted black fruit. Shows its power on the attack with superbly sweet mulberry fruit. Dense and chewy like all of the 2013 reds. Tightly wound with ultra fine tannin wrapped around a savory core. Dried mushroom, clove and black true. Exceptionally well-endowed Sangre. A wild animal of a wine. Built in a similar mold to the epic 2005 and 2009 Sangre bottlings.
30% new French oak, 70% neutral French oak. 542 Cases Produced.
Ratings:
96 Points - The Wine Advocate
97 Points - Vinous