2005 Jonata "El Alma de Jonata" Santa Ynez Valley Cabernet Franc

The 2005 El Alma de Jonata is a blend of 95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the greatest Cabernet Francs to emerge from California, it boasts gorgeous notes of bay leaf interwoven with blueberries, black currants, licorice, flowers, and subtle smoke. A wine of exquisite precision, outstanding richness, astonishing elegance as well as finesse, this is a brilliant achievement that must be tasted to be believed. As the wine sits in the glass, a notion of lead pencil shavings (graphite) also emerges. Drink this beauty over the next decade. (RP)