Jonata Fenix 2015 | 97 Points of Immediate Pleasure
Winery | Jonata Fenix 2015 delivers intense and brooding aromatics of dark chocolate, mint, blackberry and dried mushrooms. While dense and sweet black fruit on the attack and a classy velvet feel. Plus seamless texture with enticing notes of clove and fig. Savory and herbal notes from cabernet franc lift the blend. Black fruit is buffered by a wall of a muscular, yet fine-grained structure. A Merlot-based wine of unabashed power, yet undeniable finesse.
More Sensational Cellar Selections
There is so much immediate pleasure in the 2015 Sangre, Jonata Fenix 2015 and Todos, though they too will blossom to become so much more complete with some additional time. They offer an earlier window through which to enjoy and understand what a fantastic vintage we experienced in 2015! — Matt Dees Winemaker
More Accolades | Drinks Well to 2032+!
97JD | All the 2015s were bottled just 5 weeks ago. Looking first at the Jonata Fenix 2015, it’s probably the best vintage of this cuvee to date and is made from 47% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Currants, violets, plums, earth and licorice notes all give way to a ripe, sexy, incredibly polished Merlot that has building tannin. It’s tour de force that needs 3-5 years of cellaring and will keep for two decades.
93RP | Blended of 47% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. So, the Jonata Fenix 2015 sports a deep garnet-purple color. While scented of crushed red and black plums, blackberries and black cherries with hints of baking spices, underbrush, and Mediterranean herbs. The taut, generous full-bodied palate offers beautiful red and black fruit layers, framed by firm, velvety tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long. Approachable now, give it another year in bottle to really shine and drink it over the next 15 years+.
Winemaker Matt Dees
Since founding JONATA in 1999, the owners of Screaming Eagle have demonstrated the same commitment to the land in Ballard Canyon as they have in Oakville. From the outset, they spared no expense. Initially evaluating the potential for growing world-class wines, calling in an “A-Team” from France to conduct soil samples. After the report was produced, the proprietor pushed ahead with selecting 80 of the almost 600 acres for the planting of Rhône and Bordeaux varieties. When Matt Dees arrived in 2004 he took one look at the unique potential of JONATA’s sandy soil. Then another look at how much the owners had already poured into their Oakville winery. And of course, he then signed on the dotted line.
