"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.
JEB DUNNUCK 92 POINTS - "Bright ruby, the 2023 Pinot Noir Avni is an excellent appellation wine out of the gate, boasting ripe cherries, red roses, brambly earth, and delicate gamey undertones. Medium-bodied, with ripe tannins, balanced acidity, and considerable length, this is a highly appealing Pinot to drink now or over the next 8-10 years."
WINE SPECTATOR 92 POINTS - "A red with verve and tension balanced by vibrant cherry, raspberry, green tea and forest floor accents that finish with sleek tannins. Drink now through 2033. 18,000 cases made."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 91 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Avni wafts up with a vibrant mix of crushed cherries, sweet lavender and spice. Juicy and round, it offers soothingly ripe wild berry fruit complicated by a nuance of bitter licorice toward the close. The finish is pleasantly chewy and long, leaving a sour berry resonance and smooth tannins to mingle on the palate."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Avni has inviting scents of wild cherry, cranberry, floral perfume and fine earthy accents. The medium-bodied palate offers understated, earthy flavors. It’s framed by silky tannins and refreshing acidity and has a long, fragrant finish."
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.
JEB DUNNUCK 92 POINTS - "Bright ruby, the 2023 Pinot Noir Avni is an excellent appellation wine out of the gate, boasting ripe cherries, red roses, brambly earth, and delicate gamey undertones. Medium-bodied, with ripe tannins, balanced acidity, and considerable length, this is a highly appealing Pinot to drink now or over the next 8-10 years."
WINE SPECTATOR 92 POINTS - "A red with verve and tension balanced by vibrant cherry, raspberry, green tea and forest floor accents that finish with sleek tannins. Drink now through 2033. 18,000 cases made."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 91 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Avni wafts up with a vibrant mix of crushed cherries, sweet lavender and spice. Juicy and round, it offers soothingly ripe wild berry fruit complicated by a nuance of bitter licorice toward the close. The finish is pleasantly chewy and long, leaving a sour berry resonance and smooth tannins to mingle on the palate."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Avni has inviting scents of wild cherry, cranberry, floral perfume and fine earthy accents. The medium-bodied palate offers understated, earthy flavors. It’s framed by silky tannins and refreshing acidity and has a long, fragrant finish."
