2008 La Flor de Jonata
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Tasting notes
Beautifully pure and fresh, the 2008 La Flor de Jonata offers up notions of candied lemon peel, mineral and tinges of apricot as well as a laser- focused, beautifully pure feel in the mouth. As with the 2007, it is delicious now, yet will continue to have an interesting evolution over the coming 4-5 years. Drink now-2018. This was an incredible tasting with winemaker Matt Dees. This estate continues to produce some of the most impressive, long-lived wines in Santa Barbara. As I’ve learned from past tasting, it’s always best to schedule this appointment at the end of the day as these effort have no shortage of tannin and can wreak havoc on one’s palate. While I’ve routinely tasted the La Sangre de Jonata for a number of years now, it was great to be able to go back through past vintages of this estate’s other wines. In addition to these efforts bottled under the Jonata label, I was also able to taste their The Hilt and The Pairing releases, both of which are also reviewed in this report (and highly recommended). Tel. (805) 564-8581; www.jonata.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Honeysuckle, mint and flowers are some of the aromas and flavors that emerge from the 2008 Flor. The wine sits on a gorgeous core of minerality that supports the fruit beautifully all the way through to the chiseled finish. In 2008 the blend is 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 23% Viognier and 17% Semillon that was harvested in 13 separate passes. The wine was aged in 1/3rd new oak, 1/3rd neutral oak and 1/3rd stainless steel.
(a blend of 60% sauvignon blanc musque, 23% viognier and 17% semillon) Light gold. Explosively perfumed, expansive aromas of fresh pineapple, mango, pear skin and singed orange, with a hint of smoky herbs. Fleshy and smooth in texture, with deep orchard fruit and orange marmalade flavors brightened by a hint of white pepper. An exotic vanillin oak note peeks through on a long, smooth, sappy finish. This wild wine will be very flexible with strongly seasoned food.
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.