Jonata "Todos" Ballard Canyon Proprietary Red Blend 2019

I truly love Santa Barbara and its many wines, and the winery Jonata and its winemaker, Matt Dees, is one of the best. A charming man who knows both the technical side of wine and its romantic side, Matt makes beautiful wines full of pleasure and intellectual interest. This pick, “Everyone,” is a reflection of all the red grapes grown at the winery in an effort to display the terroir of this unique agricultural region.  

Recently I have started throwing ribs on the grill whenever I am grilling something else - i.e., it's like a  bonus round of meat for the meal. And ribs and this wine go amazingly together, especially if you give them a bit of  soy sauce flair. But better still, is in the grill, under the slow-roasting ribs, I put cut heads of radicchio with a “tray” of tin foil holding them away from the coals. The radicchio slowly caramelizes with the rib juices turning into something quite amazing, which also is great with this wine. Then, just to add complexity, I wrap red beets in foil, place on the grill, and roast them until tender. The sweet beets get chopped into the radicchio, the ribs make a sauce for the “salad,” and it all is so easy, it's a super-duper bonus to the meal (or free prep for tomorrow’s meal!).

"Winemaker Matt Dees is considered one of the best winemakers anywhere, and this blend [Todos] is ample reason to believe the hype. Intense, focused and dry but rich aromas of dark fruit, roasted wood, crushed rocks and wild herb enliven the nose, while the palate is weighty yet expertly tense. Flavors of dried red fruit, peppery spice and milk chocolate float into the finish. 97 points." —Wine Enthusiast