2022 Lingua Franca Chers Amis Chardonnay

$80

$56

(30% off)

Total $56
Total

Chers Amis is a special Wine Club offering that is produced in very limited quantities.

This is a wine of great finesse from a site close to Lingua Franca Estate that expresses a distinctive mineral characteristic in the wine. The aroma has scents of white and yellow flowers, like jasmine and hawthorn blossom, and wet stone. On the palate it reveals pear, lemon zest and lemon custard notes with a bright green apple edge, with a silky texture and very long finish. It has weight but it is vibrant, filled with energy. Only 152 cases produced.

This wine marries well with a wide range of fish dishes, such as simply poached or sautéed fish dishes with herbed butter, garlic butter, or Beurre Blanc. Beacause of its creaminess it would work with richer shellfish dishes with sauces as well, even a sauce Nantua or Armoricaine. Roast chicken with butter, thyme and lemon or a breaded veal scallopini dish with a squeeze of lemon.

Pear
Lemon Zest
Lemon Custard
Bright Green Apple

Jasmine
Hawthorn Blossom
Wet Stone

ABV 13.0%

Vintage 2022

Appellation Willamette Valley

This wine marries well with a wide range of fish dishes, such as simply poached or sautéed fish dishes with herbed butter, garlic butter, or a classic Beurre Blanc sauce or nage. Beacause of its creaminess it would work with richer shellfish dishes with sauces as well, even a sauce Nantua or Armoricain. Roast chicken with butter, thyme and lemon or a breaded veal scallopini dish with a squeeze of lemon. It also would be excellent with a variety of more powerful sashimi or sushi, such as Unagi, Anago, Shirako, Sake, Otoro, Chutoro or Maguro. Western smoked salmon or gravlax, or grilled salmon with a dill mayonnaise. Experimentation is welcome!

Winter was extremely cold, with a historic ice-storm that left the region without power for over two weeks. It remained cool and wet throughout early spring but warmed up, in time to have a major heat dome event at the end of June with a record-breaking 116 F temperature scorching trees and killing vegetation all over the region. The resiliency of the non-irrigated soils in our vineyards, having fractured basalt as an insulating influence as well as the source of stored rainwater, meant that our vines almost had no negative effect and were verdant all the way through and after the experience. The heat event had the positive effect on our vineyard that helped to reduce the mildew pressure we normally experience after a wet spring.

Pts. Decanter "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, Decanter
Pts. Jeb Dunnuck "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 Dunnuck
Pts. Owen Bargreen "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 Bargreen
Pts. James Suckling "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