Last month we offered a 94-point Pinot Noir from Oregon's noteworthy and remarkable 2021 vintage, and that wine sold out in a matter of days. Well, we found another 94-point Pinot Noir from this illustrious vintage, and this one is sure to be received with the same enthusiasm!
"Lingua Franca" is defined as "...a universal language used to connect people of diverse backgrounds," and there could not be a name more fitting than this! The Lingua Franca label represents a fine tradition of bringing people of different backgrounds to common ground; to produce Pinot Noir that will rival those from anywhere else in the world.
Master Sommelier Larry Stone, world-renowned winemaker Dominique Lafond, and winemaking protégé Thomas Savre united their talents upon a property in the Eola-Amity Hills area of Oregon's Willamette Valley, a location diverse in soils that seems to continually produces grapes of uncommon quality. The team is focused on picking optimal fruit for freshness, tension and complexity-based on the varying conditions of the season and the terroir of individual vineyard blocks which are farmed by organic and regenerative farming principals. The land, the way it's farmed and the quality of the light on east-facing slopes in the Willamette Valley are what shape the wines.
The fruit for the "Avni" bottling comes mostly from the Lingua Franca Estate, and is complimented with fruit from their best neighboring vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills; vineyards that elevate the complexity while retaining the round, savory character of this cuvée. The wine was aged for 12 months in just 16% new French oak, as not to overpower the complex yet ethereal characteristics of the Pinot Noir.
This gem has earned not one, but two 94-point scores! Esteemed critic Audrey Frick (of JebDunnuck.com) calls this "charming" and "a terrific value". On top of that, Wine Spectator noted that this wine is "elegant yet dynamic". If these two publications are raving about this wine, then you can rest assured this Pinot Noir will be a hit at your dinner table!
JEB DUNNUCK 94 POINTS - "A ripe ruby hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir Avni has a pure and pristine character, with aromas of red cherry lozenge, fresh wild herbs, and red floral perfume. Medium-bodied and charming, with an elegant structure and gorgeous fresh fruit, it’s delicious out of the gate. Offering ripe tannins and a graceful feel, it’s all about purity and freshness with this wine. A terrific value, it could be a great lens into the style of this estate and is a textbook example of the wines of the Willamette Valley. Drink 2023-2030."
WINE SPECTATOR 94 POINTS - "Elegant yet dynamic, this multilayered red reveals detailed cherry and red plum flavors that are laced with savory forest floor and mineral flavors, which build intensity toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2031."
"Lingua Franca" is defined as "...a universal language used to connect people of diverse backgrounds," and there could not be a name more fitting than this! The Lingua Franca label represents a fine tradition of bringing people of different backgrounds to common ground; to produce Pinot Noir that will rival those from anywhere else in the world.
Master Sommelier Larry Stone, world-renowned winemaker Dominique Lafond, and winemaking protégé Thomas Savre united their talents upon a property in the Eola-Amity Hills area of Oregon's Willamette Valley, a location diverse in soils that seems to continually produces grapes of uncommon quality. The team is focused on picking optimal fruit for freshness, tension and complexity-based on the varying conditions of the season and the terroir of individual vineyard blocks which are farmed by organic and regenerative farming principals. The land, the way it's farmed and the quality of the light on east-facing slopes in the Willamette Valley are what shape the wines.
The fruit for the "Avni" bottling comes mostly from the Lingua Franca Estate, and is complimented with fruit from their best neighboring vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills; vineyards that elevate the complexity while retaining the round, savory character of this cuvée. The wine was aged for 12 months in just 16% new French oak, as not to overpower the complex yet ethereal characteristics of the Pinot Noir.
This gem has earned not one, but two 94-point scores! Esteemed critic Audrey Frick (of JebDunnuck.com) calls this "charming" and "a terrific value". On top of that, Wine Spectator noted that this wine is "elegant yet dynamic". If these two publications are raving about this wine, then you can rest assured this Pinot Noir will be a hit at your dinner table!
JEB DUNNUCK 94 POINTS - "A ripe ruby hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir Avni has a pure and pristine character, with aromas of red cherry lozenge, fresh wild herbs, and red floral perfume. Medium-bodied and charming, with an elegant structure and gorgeous fresh fruit, it’s delicious out of the gate. Offering ripe tannins and a graceful feel, it’s all about purity and freshness with this wine. A terrific value, it could be a great lens into the style of this estate and is a textbook example of the wines of the Willamette Valley. Drink 2023-2030."
WINE SPECTATOR 94 POINTS - "Elegant yet dynamic, this multilayered red reveals detailed cherry and red plum flavors that are laced with savory forest floor and mineral flavors, which build intensity toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2031."
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