"The Avni Chardonnay, which means stone is loaded with rip-roaring minerality and brilliant acidity to match. Aromatics of struck flint, sea breeze and green mangoes elicit a familiarity with the wine's core of minerality. Mouthfuls of sea salt, crushed granite and salted lemon leave a thirst-slaking impression and beg for someone to shuck some oysters."
— Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter92
"The 2022 Chardonnay Avni boasts a lovely, generous bouquet, with notes of white peach, pithy lemon, white flowers, and wet stone. Medium to full-bodied, it has a rounded feel, with a good deal of elegance and approachability, and a lovely, clean finish. A fantastic entry to the range, this highly consistent wine is outstanding for restaurant programs and offers a wide drinking window over the next 5-6 years."
— Jeb Dunnuck92
"Orange blossom, lemon zest and grapefruit on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with bright acidity, giving notes of Fuji apple, grilled peach and honeysuckle. Mineral and precise. Drink or hold."
— James Suckling
"Soft around the edges and firm in the middle, this red- and black-fruited wine has a creaminess on the palate, delivering a mix of red cherries, blackberries and blueberries wrapped in moderate tannins. Contains small amounts of petit verdot, cabernet franc, malbec and merlot. Drink or hold."
— Jim Gordon, JamesSuckling.com, February 8, 202491
"A polished, fruit-driven style, but with nice focus, as singed alder and savory notes provide a gentle nudge along the edges of the plum and cassis core. Ends with a subtle loam echo on the finish. Drink now through 2032."
— Wine Spectator, November 14, 2024
"Dark and winey, with a smoldering intensity to the flavors of black currant preserves, fig paste and plum reduction. The structure is loamy, rich and driven in feel, while tobacco and warm stone accents play their supporting role. A brick house with a bit of an old-school feel. To be released September, 2021. Best from 2023 through 2036. 3,048 cases made."
— J.M., Wine Spectator, October 31, 2021
"Publisher's Pick" From the most coveted blocks within To Kalon - the treasured vineyard of Robert Mondavi that was the location of his winery home since 1966 - this is the fourth vintage of the To Kalon-designated Reserve. Like a classic rock 'n' roll tune from that era, this wine ranks among the most revered and will continue to be memorable for decades. Among the top five songs of 1966 were "Cherish" by The Association and "Soul Inspiration" by The Righteous Brothers, which are appropriately a good fit for describing the To Kalon vineyard. From its aromas of dark cherry and vanilla spice to its deeply expressive notes of graphite, leather, plum, and earth, the velvet drapes across the palate from start to finish."
— Tasting Panel, December 201795
"Deep ruby/purple-colored, notes of sweet crème de cassis, blackberry, charcoal and toast are present in the subtle but intense aromatics. The wine is full-bodied and classically crafted, building incrementally on the palate and displaying full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, and a potential to age for 25-30+ years. This is a beauty. It goes without saying that probably no one did more for the image, the quality and the prestige of Napa Valley than Robert Mondavi. He was 'the' ambassador for the region, and while he certainly lived to see its rise to glory and fame, I doubt that even he envisioned the remarkable wines that are now emanating in prolific quantities from this Shangri-La for growing grapes."
— Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, December 30, 201695
"This is made from a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon from the famous historic site, with 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It startles in beauty and grace, with plenty of power and concentration. It's a charismatic wine, bright in red currant and black cherry and a soft, supple texture that holds an underlying grip and toasty oak spice."
— V.B., Wine Enthusiast, February 201893
"This shows some valley floor dusty texture with blueberry and currant character. Medium body, fine and silky tanning and a fresh finish. Shows the To Kalon magic."
— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, December 21, 201792
"Supple and heady with the richness of Oakville cabernet, this is a plush, espresso-scented red. Associate Editor Geoff Millar described it as an "oak rocket with dark fruit inside," the oak propelling the fresh raspberry and blackberry flavor. Winemaker Genevieve Janssens selects this wine from the vineyard that surrounds the winery, working with a range of blocks for this Reserve, including vines dating to 1974."
— Wine & Spirits, February 201890
"Offers aromas of dusty berry, plum and currant, with crushed rock and graphite notes amid cedary oak and black licorice details and firm tannins."
— J.L., Wine Spectator, March 2018
"Soft around the edges and firm in the middle, this red- and black-fruited wine has a creaminess on the palate, delivering a mix of red cherries, blackberries and blueberries wrapped in moderate tannins. Contains small amounts of petit verdot, cabernet franc, malbec and merlot. Drink or hold."
— Jim Gordon, JamesSuckling.com, February 8, 202491
"A polished, fruit-driven style, but with nice focus, as singed alder and savory notes provide a gentle nudge along the edges of the plum and cassis core. Ends with a subtle loam echo on the finish. Drink now through 2032."
— Wine Spectator, November 14, 2024
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Estate sees 25% new oak, with 25% whole cluster inclusion, and pours a jeweled ruby hue. Super expressive on the nose, with notes of framboise, wild herbs, rosemary, and dusty earth, the palate takes on more iron richness in its texture and profile, with ripe fruit and tannins and an even spine of acidity. It will do well over the next 8-10 years. It retains wonderful purity but has the stuffing to last. 1500 cases produced."
— Jeb Dunnuck95
"A compelling, multilayered red, with lilting raspberry and cherry flavors that expand to reveal fresh violet and earthy mineral accents, which build tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032. 1,698 cases made."
— Wine Spectator95
"Deeply perfumed and showing off its rich hue in the glass, the 2021 Lingua Franca 'Lingua Franca Estate' Pinot Noir is a total knockout wine from this hotter vintage. The nose is filled with beautiful black florals with shades of black truffle, gunpowder, flint and kumquat rind notes that all take shape in the glass. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture. This shows good elegance but also a great concentration of red and dark fruit flavors, with stony and herbal accents. Considering the stuffing and underlying finesse I can see this easily being a 20 year wine. Drink 2023-2043."
— Dr. Owen Bargreen93
"Another beautifully put-together Pinot Noir from the Lingua Franca estate vineyard. A riper vintage shows robust and rich aromatics that are balanced by elegance across the palate. Notes of violet, dusty black cherry and gravelly minerality mark the aromatics. The palate is lushly fruited, with dark red and blue fruits, but is framed by a graceful structure and with a long stony mineral finish."
— Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter90
"Boysenberries and savory roasted meat aromas are quite a one-two punch. Touches of worn leather and orange peel are mere bonuses. The tannins of this wine are grippy, providing a bit of chewiness to the texture. Red raspberries and cherries meld with flavors of strong black tea and a trace of wet slate."
— Wine Enthusiast
"The Chers Amis from Lingua Franca is from a non-estate vineyard in the Eola Amity Hills, and it shows brilliant minerality and juicy citrus pulp. Aromas of sea breeze, salted lemon rind and dried white flowers. The palate shows concentrated notes of lemon balm, nectarine skin and brilliant saline minerality that carries the finish."
— Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter94
"The 2022 Chardonnay Chers Amis opens in the glass to reveal a floral bouquet with aromas of quince, jasmine, and salted lime, spiced with vanilla bean. The palate reveals a more richly textured wine that has a bit more immediacy, with a lovely, rounded feel, although it remains weightless, with a long finish. It is another fantastic wine in the range from Lingua Franca, with a suggestion of decadence that should cast a wide net for enjoyment. 152 cases were produced, and the wine is reserved exclusively for the winery's club membership. Drink 2025-2035."
— Jeb Dunnuck94
"The 2022 'Chers Amis' comes from a site near their estate vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. This is wonderfully flinty and mineral-laden on the mouth, reveling in its lemon oil, oyster shell and bright melon fruit flavors. Medium to full-bodied with pastry crust accents, enjoy this outstanding wine now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034"
— Dr. Owen Bargreen93
"The nose is bright and lifted, offering aromas of orange blossom, lime curd and mineral river stones. The palate is medium-bodied with energetic acidity, giving notes of nectarine, grapefruit pith and lemon balm. Tight and focused with underlying power. Drink or hold."
— James Suckling
"The 2023 Lingua Franca Anvi Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, matured for 11 months in 25% new French oak, beautifully captures the refinement of a balanced vintage. The wine opens with a bouquet of ripe red plum, blood orange peel, crushed pomegranate, and wild rose, accented by soft traces of cinnamon bark and bergamot tea. On the palate, it moves with polished ease - supple tannins and brisk acidity give lift to notes of black cherry, iron shavings, steeped Darjeeling, and forest spice. There's a subtle undercurrent of earth and crushed stone, grounding the wine's fruit-forward energy with savory dimension. As it evolves, the texture deepens, with hints of clove and dried herb unfolding into a long, silky finish that lingers with clarity and poise."
— International Wine Report94
"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."
— Jeb Dunnuck92
"The 2023 'Avni' Pinot Noir comes from roughly 20 different sites throughout the Willamette Valley. This saw a small amount of whole cluster fermentation. Orange zest combines with salted cranberry and shades of volcanic soils on the nose. The palate is round and big on the mouth with serious texture and reminded tannins. Generous and round, enjoy this outstanding bottling over the next eight to ten years."
— Owen Bargreen
"Rich and seductive in feel, with a lovely swath of loamy-edged steeped plum and blackberry compote flavors, backed with flashes of anise and sweet bay leaf. A loamy edge extends nicely in lockstep with the fruit on the finish. Textbook Oakville Cabernet. Best from 2022 through 2034. 9,791 cases made."
— J.M., Wine Spectator, October 31, 2021
"The Chers Amis from Lingua Franca is from a non-estate vineyard in the Eola Amity Hills, and it shows brilliant minerality and juicy citrus pulp. Aromas of sea breeze, salted lemon rind and dried white flowers. The palate shows concentrated notes of lemon balm, nectarine skin and brilliant saline minerality that carries the finish."
— Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter94
"The 2022 Chardonnay Chers Amis opens in the glass to reveal a floral bouquet with aromas of quince, jasmine, and salted lime, spiced with vanilla bean. The palate reveals a more richly textured wine that has a bit more immediacy, with a lovely, rounded feel, although it remains weightless, with a long finish. It is another fantastic wine in the range from Lingua Franca, with a suggestion of decadence that should cast a wide net for enjoyment. 152 cases were produced, and the wine is reserved exclusively for the winery's club membership. Drink 2025-2035."
— Jeb Dunnuck94
"The 2022 'Chers Amis' comes from a site near their estate vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. This is wonderfully flinty and mineral-laden on the mouth, reveling in its lemon oil, oyster shell and bright melon fruit flavors. Medium to full-bodied with pastry crust accents, enjoy this outstanding wine now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034"
— Dr. Owen Bargreen93
"The nose is bright and lifted, offering aromas of orange blossom, lime curd and mineral river stones. The palate is medium-bodied with energetic acidity, giving notes of nectarine, grapefruit pith and lemon balm. Tight and focused with underlying power. Drink or hold."
— James Suckling
"Wonderful aromas of fresh herbs, such as sage and mint. Currants. Extremely aromatic. Full body. Fantastic tension and focus. Reminds me of the 1974. Really exceptional. Gorgeous. Cool and sleek."
— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 14, 202092
"Very solid, with a direct beam of steeped black currant and plum fruit, carried by hits of loam and black licorice. A loamy note mingles with the fruit through the broad finish, while light herb and singed alder hints check in. Best from 2021 through 2031."
— J.M., Wine Spectator, November 15, 2020
