2016 La Flor de Jonata
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Tasting notes
Readers wanting to see how exotic and perfumed Sauvignon Blanc can be need to check out the 2016 Flor from this terrific Ballard Canyon-based estate. A blend of 88% Sauvignon Blanc and 12% Semillon, this beauty is always crazily perfumed, and the 2016 gives up a huge nose of Meyer lemons, quince, candied orange peels, and exotic flowers. With medium body, vibrant acidity, and ample fruit, it's another juicy, racy, singular wine from this team. There's nothing else out there like it.
Critic scores
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Jonata's 2016 Flor is fabulous today, and also more complete than I have seen it in the past. Beams of salinity and minerality shape this super-expressive Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon blend. Lemon confit, sage, mint and exotic floral notes add complexity, but it is the wine's balance that is most compelling.
The 2016 La Flor de Jonata, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc with 12% Sémillon that was bottled in September 2017 and will be released in the fall, wafts from the glass with notes of peach, gooseberry, spice, spring flowers and passion fruit. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with a textural attack, bright acids and a crunchy core of fruit that boasts considerable intensity and an almost chewy sense of extract.
The 2016 Flor is floral and nicely lifted, with tons of character and plenty of vintage 2016 brightness. Crisp, dry and inviting, this white Graves look-alike has a lot to offer.
About the producer
Jonata is amongst a handful of truly exciting wineries from Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara – a unique fine wine region of incredible versatility.