LINGUA FRANCA AVNI PINOT NOIR 2017

Brooding and youthful, with a compact core of lively acidity and tannins framed by nuanced raspberry, river stone and savory spice accents that persist on the finish. Best from 2020 through 2026. 2,300 cases made.

~ 91 Points, Tim Fish, Wine Spectator, Oct 2019

♦ Official Tasting Note

The 2017 Avni Pinot Noir reflects the greater impact of our own Lingua Franca Estate fruit in the wine. The resulting aromas are beautiful expressions of rose petal, wet stone, black plum, red cherry, and savory elements. It has a remarkably delicate tannin structure, but is also layered with seductive fruit. It is vibrant and fresh.

♦ Food Pairing

It can be enjoyed with sausages, roast chicken, pork loin and other lighter meats, and its freshness allows for pairing with oily fish, like black cod, grilled salmon and with tuna.

♦ Vineyard

The majority of the fruit for this vintage comes from Lingua Franca Estate, from various blocks of Dijon Clones and Pommard. The remainder is comprised of fruit from selected vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills near to us that have similar terroirs and flavors.

♦ Production

This year the Avni Pinot Noir is fermented with around 25% whole cluster fruit. The grapes are fed bin by bin, not pumped, into small format stainless steel fermenting tanks of between 2 to 5 tons capacity. Fermentation begins with gentle pump overs and may include one or two punch downs toward the end of the cuvasion. Pigeage is done traditionally by foot. After fermentation, the wines age in a combination of 22% new and 80% old French oak barriques for 12 months and four in tank prior to bottling."