2018 Lingua Franca Chers Amis Chardonnay

$95

$80

(16% off)

Total $80
Total

Post-Opening Care: Re-cork, store chilled, and consume within 2 weeks of opening per winemaking recommendations.

The 2018 Lingua Franca "Chers Amis" Chardonnay is an exceptionally rare, micro-production white wine crafted in the Eola-Amity Hills of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Originally produced in a tiny run of just 152 cases as an exclusive allocation for their Wine Club, this expression leans heavily into a tense, Chablis-style mineral framework. It showcases the master partnership between winemaker Thomas Savre and consulting Burgundian legend Dominique Lafon.

"The ‘Chers Amis’ is sourced from two sites in the Willamette Valley that are set on volcanic soils. The smoky and Chablisesque, saline-driven aromatics really entice, bringing you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The freshness and elegance of the wine is truly awesome, as the wine moves with wet stone tones that combine with ripe pear, honeydew melon and Challah bread flavors that meld together on the palate. Finishing strong with minerals and lemon cream, the ‘Chers Amis’ is a beautiful, Burgundian bottling that has a long life ahead of it." - Owen Bargreen

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.

95 Pts. "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

94 Pts. "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

94 Pts. "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

93 Pts. "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