2012 Jonata La Flor de Jonata
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Starting out with the Bordeaux white blend, the 2012 La Flor de Jonata is made from 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon that was vinified one-third each of new French, neutral French oak and stainless steel barrels. Aged 11 months in barrel, it’s a knockout white that offers exotic lychee, mint, white peach and lime to go with a medium-bodied, beautifully focused and pure palate feel. More racy and focused than decadent and rich, it will be versatile on the dinner table and drink nicely for 3-4 years. This was another stacked lineup by the team at Jonata, and this is always one of my favorite tastings. However, due to the mouth-damaging levels of tannin and structure these wines show in their youth, this is one tasting I have to schedule at the end of day! Tel. (805) 564-8581; www.jonata.com
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Maybe I have been spending too much time in Bordeaux, but the 2013 Flor could be easily mistaken for a top-flight Graves. Lime, gunflint, smoke and oyster shells are some of the notes that emerge from the Flor, a pliant, resonant white built on pure texture. What a gorgeous wine this is.
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.