It is my deepest pleasure to share one of the giants of Oregon. Lingua Franca was founded by Larry Stone and David Honig. Earlier this year the winery was sold to Constellation Brands and this will be an exciting development for the future. One of the Pacific Northwest’s finest winemaking talents, Thomas Savre makes wines that are extremely age worthy and well-structured, with beautiful richness and finesse. It has been a pleasure to see how his winemaking has developed over the years.
His wines from 2020 were outstanding despite the obvious challenges at harvest. The 2021 wines are arguably the finest that he has made so far. Do not miss out on the outstanding 2021 Lingua Franca ‘Sisters’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is filled with tension and richness. I adored the stunning 2021 Lingua Franca ‘Inspiras’ Chardonnay (OB, 97) which is one of the greatest Oregon Chardonnays that I have tasted over the past year. This beauty has so much potential. Learn more about Lingua Franca at https://www.linguafranca.wine Here are the beautiful new releases by Lingua Franca.
2021 Lingua Franca ‘Chers Amis’ Chardonnay- The 2021 ‘Chers Amis’ comes from a neighboring vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. It is dense, rich and tension-filled wine with pie crust and rich orchard fruit flavors alongside shades of cardamom dusted starfruit on the palate. Salty and savory, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2023-2031- 94
2021 Lingua Franca ‘Sisters’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2021 Lingua Franca ‘Sisters’ Chardonnay is named after Larry Stone’s mother and her sister, who both grew up on a farm in Romania together. Once on the mouth this takes on an unctuous mouthfeel with serious texture. The flavor range imparted is really outstanding from walnut and suggestions of lime zest to Bartlett pear and stony as well as salty accents. Only 230 cases made of this totally stunning and viscous new Chardonnay. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2023-2035- 95
2021 Lingua Franca ‘Inspiras’ Chardonnay- One of the outstanding wines from the Willamette Valley that I have tasted in the past year, the 2021 ‘Inspiras’ is a barrel select wine that comes from the Eola-Amity Hills. Thomas Savre has crafted a total stunner, as this really needs about an hour of air before consuming. Once aroused this takes on downright sexy layers of cardamom and allspice-laced pastry crust notes on the nose alongside ripe banana and Japanese pear, with flinty accents. The palate is plush and seamless as this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. Tasted twice with similar notes, this is a stunning, world-class Chardonnay bottling that is both tension-filled and hedonistic from this warm vintage. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2023-2038- 97
2021 Lingua Franca ‘Petit Géant’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Petit Géant’ is a limited production Pinot Noir bottling (198 cases) that comes from Clone 943 Pinot Noir vines which are grown in stony soils. Very inky in the glass, this reveals beautiful opulence and concentration on the mouth, with an exceedingly long finish that just won’t quit. Layers of juicy wild blackberry and loganberry fruit flavors collide with wet stone and menthol accents on the palate. Rich and layered, this is a stunning warm vintage Pinot Noir that has some really great aging potential — but is also irresistible to enjoy now in its heady youth. Drink 2023-2037- 95
2021 Lingua Franca ‘Tongue ’N Cheek’ Pinot Noir- The beautiful and vibrant 2021 Lingua Franca ‘Tongue ’N Cheek’ Pinot Noir combines clonal selections 943 and 777. This shows beautiful nuance on the nose with volcanic soil accents that combine with red currants, tobacco leaf, and suggestions of white truffle shavings. The palate is well-structured and tension-filled, with loads of mouth-watering acidity. Juicy and delicious, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2023-2035- 95
2021 Lingua Franca ‘La Belle’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘La Belle’ comes from their estate vineyard and is made in a very elegant style. Citrus blossom water, guava and cranberry fruits combine with shades of salty soils and stony accents on the palate. Fresh and vibrant, with a smooth texture, this is a joy to consume right now. Drink 2023-2035- 94