Jonata Jonata El Alma de Jonata 2012 750ml

While there was no El Almas produced in 2010 due to late rains, the 2011 El Alma de Jonata is beautiful. Most similar to the 2008, with pure, pretty notes of wild herbs, dark chocolate, tobacco, crushed flowers and currants, it flows onto the palate with beautiful freshness and purity, big richness and a great finish. Give it another couple of years and enjoy it through 2026. Drink 2015–2026.

California’s Cheval Blanc (or maybe Le Dome is a better comparison), the Cabernet Franc dominated 2012 El Alma de Jonata incorporates 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot and is brought up in 80% new French oak. It has an incredible bouquet of tobacco leaf, lead pencil shavings, sweet currants, crushed rock and violets that come screaming from the glass. This is followed by a full-bodied red that shows a sensational purity of fruit, a full, layered mid-palate and building structure and tannic grip. While it’s not an outright powerhouse, it certainly doesn’t lack for concentration or depth. Give it 4–5 years and drink it over the following two decades.

The 2012 El Alma de Jonata has gained considerable power and structure since I last tasted it a year ago. An exotic, alluring melange of mocha, espresso, raspberry jam and wild flowers proves to be totally captivating. The Cabernet Franc character really screams out in the 2012. Ideally, readers should give the 2012 a few years in bottle for the tannins to soften, but it is impressive, even today. The 2012 was aged in French oak, 80% new. (Antonio Galloni)

The Cabernet Franc-based El Alma de Jonata is magnificent in 2011. Violets, savory herbs, mint, plum and black cherries burst from the glass in an explosive, deeply varietal wine loaded with class, pedigree and elegance. Cabernet Franc notes take on greater prominence as the Alma opens up in the glass. This is one of the best wines that have come off this property. A second bottle that had been opened 24 hours before this tasting was positively explosive.