2022 Lingua Franca Estate Chardonnay

$60

$42

(30% off)

Total $42
Total

Floral notes leap out of the glass of the 100% Estate-grown Chardonnay 2022, with notes of jasmine, gardenia and lemon blossom. The contribution of low-yielding CH548 blocks seem to impress their character on the late vintage. The palate is round and fresh, entering with green apple and creamy lemon, which develop into chamomile and sea salt, with a round-textured, long finish of floral and saline notes.

Green Apple
Creamy Lemon
Chamomile
Sea Salt

Floral Notes
Jasmine
Gardenia
Lemon Blossom

ABV 13.0%

Vintage 2022

Appellation Eola Amity Hills

The fruit field sorted, hand-picked, then 80% whole cluster pressed, 20% crushed and pressed, then settled in tank for 24 hours on average, barrel fermented with wild yeast in a combination of 27% new, lightly toasted 500-liter puncheons, and 73% old French oak puncheons and barriques from diverse coopers. Full malolactic fermentation completed spontaneously in each barrel. After 11 months aging on lees, the wines were combined in tank with their lees for five months prior to bottling.

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!

Lingua Franca Estate Chardonnay are sourced 80% from the original blocks planted by Larry Stone in 2012 and now augmented by two additional blocks grafted over to Chardonnay from Pinot Noir in 2018 and 2019. The newer blocks will have more of an influence in coming years as they mature.

A cold and rainy spring led to a late frost that devastated the Chardonnay crop. However, the end of June brought a weeklong heat wave of 95-104 degrees that helped kick-start the period of bloom. July was calm and moderate with little rain. Thankfully, the frost had little effect on Pinot Noir, which has a later start, and less exposure. Bloom came the first week of July, and veraison began on Labor Day weekend, finishing a week later. Picking was expedited due to rain pressure, with Pinot harvest starting at the end of the first week of October and ending on October 20th.

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