- SIZE:
- 75cl
- ABV:
- 13.5%
This wine is full of intense blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry, focussing on the rounder qualities of Pinot Noir. Structure and complexity are not sacrificed- graphite and earth combine with velvety tannin and the finish is elegant and long. In their own words, this might be the finest expression of Pinot Noir Lingua Franca have made yet.
This wine was the result of a conversation between founder Larry and Dominique Lafon over whole bunch in production of Pinot Noir. What we see here is entirely destemmed fruit, fermented in steel and concrete before aging in barrel with a touch of new oak. It shows the suppleness and beauty that can be found without any whole bunch.
The story of Lingua Franca began at 4pm on December 31st, 2012. This was the moment that Larry Stone, Master of Wine, got his hands on one of the most sought-after plots of land in Oregon. The Janzen Farm, with its easterly exposure and unique combination of soils, was coveted by so many for forty years or so before this moment and now it was Larry's.
The Janzen Farm is key in these wines; the Willamette Valley is known for its similarities to Burgundy when it comes to temperature, daylight and rainfall. Larry selected Dijon clones of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with great precision, planting them in this perfect plot. But while these vines have a lot in common with those in Burgundy, the wine is unmistakably from Oregon. The personality of Oregon is coaxed out of the soils and nurtured in the fruit, which is then handed to Dominique Lafon and Thomas Savre to guide its transition into wine.
These are wines that capture a place. They celebrate the flavour and tension nurtured in the fruit, carefully layering further flavour and texture through deft winemaking and the use of whole bunches, lees, malolactic fermentation and oak.
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