2014 Jonata La Fuerza de Jonata
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2014 Fuerza, a sort of accidental addition to the range, is fabulous and also one of the more expressive wines in the range. Complex, precise and nuanced, the 2014 possesses terrific presence from the very first taste. The 100% whole clusters add aromatic nuance without dominating the wine's balance.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 La Fuerza de Jonata (made from 100% Petit Verdot) gives up notions of cassis and mulberries with an undercurrent of earth, bay leaves and black pepper. The light to medium-bodied palate is a bit firm and chewy, and while it has appealing freshness, it is just a little hollow and short.
The 2014 Fuerza is a unique 100% Petit Verdot, which is something you don't see very often, which was fermented with no destemming! Its deep purple color is followed by lots of black (and some blue) fruits, violets, mint and aromas and flavors. This beauty is medium to full-bodied, and like all the 2014s from Matt, show the more elegant, fresh, moderately concentrated style. I'm sure this beauty will keep for 15+ years. It’s always a fun tasting with winemaker Matt Dees and his team, and they continue to keep this estate at the top of the hierarchy in Santa Barbara County. Located in Ballard Canyon AVA, they pull only from their estate vineyard (planted on incredibly sandy soils) and make a wide range of cuvées, from a red and white Bordeaux blends, to a 100% Petit Verdot, Sangiovese and a number of terrific Rhône blends. The common thread is incredible quality.
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.