It has a scent of blackcurrant and mint. It has the aroma of hot asphalt, grilled bread, porcini, laurel, blueberries, and tobacco leaves. When you put it in your mouth, the concentrated black fruits spread in layers, but the focus remains firmly fixed, and the tension and acidity create a structure. Silky tannins give the wine an elegant and clear taste. This is a masterpiece that shows the potential of 17-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted in sandy soil. Precision and hidden power are typical of Desafio. The winter of 2017 ended the drought that had lasted for several years, and the soil moisture was sufficient and the water quality improved. The weather during the bud break in early spring was mild and the temperature was warm, but the temperature dropped, the flowering was prolonged, the clusters were small and the amount was small, and the fruit set was about 50% of the usual year. As a result, the yield was small, and the earliest harvest took place in mid-August, making it a very early vintage. The weather in June and July was great, but the temperature dropped suddenly in August. After that, the weather changed again, with a heat wave from late August to September, and rain from the first week to the 10th of September. As a result, the first half of September was unusually humid, but surprisingly, there was no rain in the vineyards. We were able to harvest some of the fruit before the temperature rose again, so we were able to maintain the freshness and structure of this blend. We harvested more after the heat wave, which gave the wine concentration and power. These opposing characters give the wine purity, balance, and complexity. The owner of Screaming Eagle, a representative of California cult wine, showed an interest in Santa Barbara in 2000. He planted Bordeaux varieties on land that he was told would be better suited to growing asparagus. This gamble, which he said was "a big gamble," has led to the creation of California's leading super premium wines, thanks to the efforts of Michel Rolland and Matt Deese, who was the winemaker at Staglin. Robert Parker commented, "It's mind-blowing how they managed to succeed with Bordeaux varieties on that land." Honata is 600 acres of gorgeous, golden hills. 80 acres of that land were carefully selected for their unique microclimates and soils. The land is divided into over 50 blocks and sub-blocks, each with a different combination of rootstocks, clones, and planting densities. The result is the diverse flavors that winemaker Matt needs for Honata. Matt majored in plant and soil science at the University of Vermont, and after college he moved to Napa Valley to work with Andy Erickson at Staglin Family Vineyards and learn about Bordeaux varieties. During his three years at Staglin, Matt also worked with Doug Weiser in Craggy Range, New Zealand, for three vintages, adding Syrah and Pinot Noir to his resume. Through his work with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Pinot Noir in both hemispheres, Matt learned the importance of expressing the flavors of the vineyard. Dees strongly believes that the world's greatest wines are made in the vineyard. With his extensive and well-rounded background and passion for the high quality grapes of this vineyard, he joined Honata in 2004. The winery is owned by Stan Kroenke, owner of the famous California cult wine "Screaming Eagle". He is also the owner of the Denver Nuggets of the NBA and the St. Louis Rams of the NFL, and is the majority shareholder of Arsenal of the Premier League.