Lingua Franca AVNI Chardonnay 2022

Lingua Franca AVNI Chardonnay 2022 is a brilliant, precise, and finely structured cool-climate white wine that showcases a distinctly Old World-inspired approach to Oregon viticulture. Born from a late, dramatic growing season, this expressive Chardonnay reveals a bright yellow-gold hue in the glass. The nose is wonderfully complex and energetic, opening with a refined bouquet of orange blossom, lemon zest, and crisp grapefruit, layered gracefully with undertones of white flowers, sweet baking spices, and a strong strike of river-stone minerality. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, vibrant, and beautifully balanced, countering a juicy core of Fuji apple, fresh pear, and grilled peach with a sharp, chiseled vein of natural acidity. Barrel-fermented with wild yeasts and aged sur lie, it presents a subtly rounded texture and a faint touch of salinity that carries seamlessly into a clean, precise, and refreshing finish accented by nuances of lemon peel and honeysuckle.

Food Pairing: Pairs perfectly with pan-seared sea scallops, Dungeness crab cakes, grilled salmon fillets, or a rich wild mushroom risotto.

92 Points - James Suckling

90 Points - Wine Spectator