2020 La Flor de Jonata
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Tasting notes
Aged 11 months 30% in new French oak, 30% in neutral French oak and 30% in stainless-steel tank. Super-inviting nose with the right balance of exotic and elegant. Lots going on: guava and a tropical array of flavours. However, the fruit feels dry and refined. This wine is exciting and fun, with more layers of grapefruit and a spicy hint. It is persistent and, despite its 14.5% alcohol, it is fully integrated.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Flor is mostly Sauvignon yet includes 15% Semillon. This light gold-hued effort offers a classic, elegant style in its ripe lemon, white grapefruit, honeyed flower, and chalky mineral nuances. It's balanced, vibrant, and clean, with a great finish. This cuvée was much more exotic and floral in the past, but today is more classic Bordeaux Blanc in style. It's a beautiful white. The talented winemaking team of Matt Dees and Drew Pickering continue to keep Jonata near the top of the pyramid in Santa Barbara County. Pulling all from their estate vineyard in Ballard Canyon, which is mostly sandy soils, they make a wealth of wines, yet the quality is spectacular across the board. In general, the wines are a touch more polished and approachable today than in the past (which I think is a good thing), and while they’ll still benefit from bottle age, they offer plenty of pleasure in their youth.
The 2020 Flor is one of the best vintages of this wine I have tasted. All the elements are so well balanced that nothing sticks out. Aromatic, layered and remarkably pure, the 2020 simply has it all. Lemon confit, spice, dried flowers, and chamomile, all framed by a gentle touch of French oak, open nicely, but it is ultimately balance and total sense of harmony that carry the day. The 2020 is vivid, exceptionally beautiful and impossible to resist.
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.