AVNI Pinot Noir 2023 Lingua Franca

Tasting Note AVNI Pinot Noir 2023

Vibrant aromas of red cherry and raspberry are complemented by nuances of red rose and a slightly bitter, earthy finish. Beneath the fruity aromas lies a subtle hint of power. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with ripe tannins that are already soft, and acidity that balances the fruit flavors without weighing them down. The length of the finish is surprising, given the wine's richness, it lingers longer than expected. It is rich, round, and ready to enjoy now.

Grape Varieties

Pinot Noir , 100%. 

Cellaring Potential

Since this wine is supported by supple tannins and refreshing acidity rather than heaviness, it does not require long-term aging. It is best enjoyed by 2032. Decanting it for about an hour will allow the floral aromas to open up. Serve at 16-18 °C, and until then, store the bottle in a cool, dark place.

About Lingua Franca

Larry Stone named his Oregon winery based on the idea that wine is a common language through which even people with almost nothing else in common can communicate. Lingua Franca is located in the heart of Eola-Amity Hills, on the site of the former Janzen Farm, and approximately 27 hectares of its roughly 61-hectare estate are planted with the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties. Stone, also known as a Master Sommelier, raised the funds for the purchase by auctioning off his personal wine collection and selling his small Napa winery; the transaction was finalized at 4:00 p.m. on 31 December 2012. He was 60 years old at the time.

The planting of the vines was by no means uniform. Depending on the three soil types, Nekia, Gelderman, and Jory, different combinations of rootstocks, grafting scions, and clones were used for each plot. Dominique Lafon serves as an advisor, Thomas Savre manages the winery, and Mimi Casteel has spearheaded organic, biodynamic, and regenerative farming practices from the very beginning. Then, in April 2022, Constellation Brands took over ownership, while Stone remains as an advisor.

Terroir & Climate

The soils of Nekia, Gelderman, Jory are all located within the same vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills. For this reason, rather than treating the slope as a single block, Lingua Franca planted grapes block by block, selecting clones and rootstocks to suit each specific soil type. The east-facing exposure is also important, as it receives morning sunlight while avoiding the intense heat of the day. The air from Cool Pacific that passes through Van Duzer Corridor preserves the acidity, which ensures that the wine from Pinot Noir has a fresh finish rather than a cooked-out flavor.

Winemaking

At Savre, intervention during the aging process is kept to a minimum, and whole-bunch fermentation (including the stems) is limited to a very small amount. The stems are present in just enough quantity to give the wine a crisp, slightly firm nuance and a certain freshness of aroma, but not so much as to detract from the red fruit flavors. AVNI is made from grapes harvested from approximately 20 plots throughout the Willamette Valley region.

Food Pairing

With its delicate tannins and vibrant acidity, AVNI pairs better with chicken and mushrooms than with large cuts of beef. Be sure to try:

• Roast duck breast, the fat tempers the acidity
• Porcini ragù or truffle risotto, it harmonizes with the earthy aromas
• Herb-seasoned chicken paired with Roast
• Brie or Camembert, their creamy, mellow mouthfeel won't overpower the fruit's aromas