« Fenix 2019 » est un vin produit par le domaine Jonata Estate, situé à Ballard Canyon, dans la région de Santa Ynez. Cette région est réputée pour les sols sableux de Careaga, qui rendent la culture du raisin particulièrement difficile. Le millésime 2019 est un assemblage à base de cabernet sauvignon, accompagné de merlot, de cabernet franc et de petit verdot, un assemblage bordelais traditionnel composé de quatre cépages cultivés sous le soleil de la Côte Centrale. Le vigneron Matt Dees a réussi à faire ressortir tout le corps et la structure de ce vin malgré ce sol sablonneux exigeant. James Suckling, Vinous et Jeb Dunnuck ont tous publié des critiques sur ce millésime. De plus, ce vin présente les notes de fruits noirs et la touche épicée caractéristiques de Jonata, qui ont fait la renommée de la marque.
James Suckling (94)
Aromas of graphite, currant, and lead pencil. Black olives. Full-bodied with velvety tannins and hints of green olives, sage and other herbs.
Vinous (95)
The 2019 Fenix is painfully young. Then again, it was just bottled a few weeks before this tasting. It is unusually tight for a Merlot-based red. That's probably a very good thing for the future. In this tasting, the 2019 is a bundle of energy. I can't wait to taste it in another 6-12 months. There is plenty of verve here, not to mention tons of class.
Jeb Dunnuck (94)
I always love this cuvée, and the 2019 Fenix checks in as 51% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Lots of mulberries, redcurrants, black cherries, tobacco, leafy herbs, and tapenade are just some of the nuances here, and this fleshy, full-bodied, textured beauty has ripe, integrated tannins, a solid spine of freshness and acidity, and a great finish. Give it a few years and drink over the following decade or more.
Decanter (94)
This is what happens when the supple structure and generous fruit of a Merlot-driven Bordeaux-style blend freshness and natural minerality. Crushed rock and graphite open on the nose, with beautiful purple florals emerging around the edges, joined by anise, resinous herbs, and cocoa powder. Juicy black and blueberry, along with dark cherry, spiced exotically, layer on a complex palate—full-bodied, with substantial structure—lingering with great balance on the finish.
