The Golden Vine - Tasting Notes

Jonata

2011 Flor "Flower" Sauvignon Blanc Ballard Canyon AVA

With every new vintage of Flor, I feel that we are reaching new heights of balance, charm, power, and subtlety. The vines gain an extra year of maturity... With every new vintage of Flor, I feel that we are reaching new heights of balance, charm, power, and subtlety. The vines gain an extra year of maturity and grow deeper roots and the wines seem to respond directly and gain a new level of depth of their own. The nose is pure Flor with pungent notes of orange zest, lemon blossom, sweet custard, and dried chamomile. sémillon adds an extra dimension of poignancy on the palate. The dance between the fat of sémillon and the zing of sauvignon blanc is fine tuned in this offering. Higher acidity than the previous offering and one I am anxious to revisit in five and then ten years.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc / Sémillon

Jonata

2013 Flor "Flower" Sauvignon Blanc Ballard Canyon AVA

Classic Flor aromas of chamomile tea, sweet orange candies and lemon custard. Candied grapefruit skins. This 2013 turns everything up a few notches. Massive... Classic Flor aromas of chamomile tea, sweet orange candies and lemon custard. Candied grapefruit skins. This 2013 turns everything up a few notches. Massive on the attack. Goes to 11. Speaks to the sunshine and ripeness of the 2013 vintage. Loud and proud and like nothing else on earth. Such decadence and refinement. Should be full of freshness, tension and vibrancy in ten years. Perfect testament to the “Flor” block at Jonata. The perfect marriage of sand and sauvignon blanc.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc / Sémillon

Jonata

2012 Flor "Flower" Sauvignon Blanc Ballard Canyon AVA

Musky beeswax and lemon custard. Apricot brioche. Pink grapefruit. Waxy notes from the sémillion. An absolutely decadent vintage for Flor with ample fruit... Musky beeswax and lemon custard. Apricot brioche. Pink grapefruit. Waxy notes from the sémillion. An absolutely decadent vintage for Flor with ample fruit weight and richness. Shows the sunny personality of 2012 in its density and mid palate weight. It is also bright and full of saline notes. Oyster shell. A Flor for the ages. Same vein as 2007, 2009. Classic Jonata lime pith and candied grapefruit on the finish.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc / Sémillon

Jonata

2009 Flor "Flower" Sauvignon Blanc Ballard Canyon AVA

Following in the Flor tradition, the 2009 offers up the aromatic profile of a delicate and floral white, but surprises with its vast fruit weight and immense... Following in the Flor tradition, the 2009 offers up the aromatic profile of a delicate and floral white, but surprises with its vast fruit weight and immense density and intensity. Never before has this sensational tightrope act been more pronounced thanks to the combination of a warm September and the beautiful partnership that exists between the vibrant sauvignon blanc and the rich sémillon. The 2009 blend is unforgettable—during a recent tasting, we likened it to the dancing elephants in the movie, Fantasia, as it remains light on its feet even with its considerable weight.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc / Sémillon

Jonata

2007 Flor "Flower" Sauvignon Blanc Ballard Canyon AVA

Pale straw color. Intense nose of citrus peel and lemon curd. Complex notes of wet stone and mineral. Tart grapefruit flavors emerge on the palate along... Pale straw color. Intense nose of citrus peel and lemon curd. Complex notes of wet stone and mineral. Tart grapefruit flavors emerge on the palate along with incredible depth and weight and an almost creamy texture. This leads to a mouthwatering and balanced finish highlighted by bright acidity and lingering notes of fresh pineapple.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc / Sémillon

Jonata

2014 Flor "Flower" Sauvignon Blanc Ballard Canyon AVA

A blend in perfect balance. Fresh and delicate, but also ripe and wild. Essence of white peach. Juicy with sage, citrus oil and mint. Lemon cucumber and... A blend in perfect balance. Fresh and delicate, but also ripe and wild. Essence of white peach. Juicy with sage, citrus oil and mint. Lemon cucumber and dried apricot on the palate. Jasmine lift. Succulent and bright. Light tannins on finish, which give the impression of peach skin.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc / Sémillon

Jonata

2008 Flor "Flower" Sauvignon Blanc Ballard Canyon AVA

Dizzying aromatic lift of dried pineapple, honey, frangipani, lemon blossom, mandarin orange and beeswax. The weighty palate is bursting with citrus and... Dizzying aromatic lift of dried pineapple, honey, frangipani, lemon blossom, mandarin orange and beeswax. The weighty palate is bursting with citrus and mineral notes, which gain momentum through a finish of concentrated fruit combined with mouthwatering acidity—a rollercoaster ride in the mouth.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc / Sémillon / Viognier

Jonata

2010 Flor "Flower" Sauvignon Blanc Ballard Canyon AVA

This is our first vintage using sauvignon blanc clone 1 (9% of the blend); its telltale herbal and grassy notes comingle beautifully with the honey, lime... This is our first vintage using sauvignon blanc clone 1 (9% of the blend); its telltale herbal and grassy notes comingle beautifully with the honey, lime zest, smoke and chamomile elements from the other varieties—all wrapped in a complex leesy note. With remarkable richness and density, our estate-driven white blend is defined by its exotic nose and dense, honeyed mid-palate. Orange marmalade, candied grapefruit and lemon curd form the attack on the palate, underscoring a juicy and full-bodied mouthfeel. This decadent white starts to lean towards an oil-like viscosity, but is kept taut, tantalizingly refreshing and clean by the bright and focused Jonata acidity. Our most dense and complete Flor to date.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Sauvignon Blanc / Sémillon / Viognier

Jonata

2009 El Alma de Jonata "The Soul" Ballard Canyon AVA

The resulting wine shows all of the classic perfumed Alma notes of lavender, cacao, black olive, scorched earth, graphite and dusty herbal nuances. However,... The resulting wine shows all of the classic perfumed Alma notes of lavender, cacao, black olive, scorched earth, graphite and dusty herbal nuances. However, the 2009 also displays the dense and incredibly powerful black fruit that cabernet franc is capable of producing in warmer vintages. The fruit jumps out behind the ethereal and complex initial aromatics and dominates on the full bodied and opulent mid palate. The stout tannins and backing acidity should supply ample support for years of evolution and cellar maturity to come—a heady and perfumed monster of a young wine, in the same footprint as the 2007. Chewy and complete.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Cabernet Franc / Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon / Petit Verdot

Jonata

2006 El Alma de Jonata "The Soul" Cabernet Franc Ballard Canyon AVA

Alluring aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, black raspberry, cedar and a touch of herbal undertones. Elegant and seductive. Perfume of violets and black... Alluring aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, black raspberry, cedar and a touch of herbal undertones. Elegant and seductive. Perfume of violets and black fruit. Constantly evolving in the glass. A wine of balanced black fruit, generous mid palate weight and fine grained tannins. Asian spice and plum. Layers of fruit, flowers and herbs cascade in the mouth. Tough to refrain from popping cork and enjoying today, but time in bottle should provide even more complexity and refinement.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot