2012 Jonata La Fuerza de Jonata
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Tasting notes
Another knock-out, the 2012 Fuerza (Petit Verdot) is endowed with magnificent power and density. The flavors are deep and inky throughout, with hints of bittersweet chocolate, licorice, incense, spices and crème de cassis that saturate the palate. Petit Verdot is almost always seen as a blender in Cabernet Sauvignon-based reds, rarely on its own. Readers will want to give the 2012 at least a year more in bottle to allow the formidable tannins to soften a bit. What a gorgeous wine this is. Total production is just 80 cases.
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Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Another wine that hasn't been made since 2008, the 2012 La Fuerza de Jonata is 100% Petit Verdot that saw aging in 75% new French oak. Slightly high-toned aromatically, with lots of violet-tinged plums, smoked earth, blackberry and licorice characteristics, this beauty hits the palate with full-boded richness, an elegant, silky texture and plenty of ripeness and length. Like the other 2012s, it shows the more approachable nature of the vintage, yet I'm sure it will still be going strong at age 20.
Super-ripe black and purple fruit and spice overtones burst from the glass in the 2012 Fuerza. The tannins are remarkably tamed for a young, pure Petit Verdot. It will be interesting to see how the Fuerza develops over the next year. It is already incredibly appealing, with gorgeous layers of explosive fruit that continue to open up in the glass.
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.