LINGUA FRANCA AVNI PINOT NOIR 2021

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"The 2021 Avni Pinot Noir is subtle and mouth filling, immediately pleasing and rich. The large proportion of complexly flavoured fruit from shallow Gelderman soils combines seamlessly with the richer fruit flavours of Pommard and 115 clone Pinot Noir on Jory and Nekia soils. The wine has many layers that unfold with both red and black cherry fruit, tea, rose petal, savoury and mineral nuances, finishing with a round, plummy texture. 2021 Avni will count among the best we have ever made.

Over 70% of the fruit this vintage comes from the Lingua Franca Estate (30% upper blocks, 40% lower). The remaining 30% is sourced from our best neighboring vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills, including Hope Well, elevating the complexity while retaining the round, savoury character of this cuvée.

Hand-harvested, the grapes were fed by bin into medium sized stainless steel and cement tanks and fermented spontaneously with 18% whole cluster fruit. The wines aged 16% new and 84% old French oak barriques for 12 months and 4 in tank prior to bottling. 9% of the total, Ponzi Heritage Pommard clone from LSV Block 23 was fermented using 100% whole cluster carbonic fermentation."

94/100 WineSpectator.com (2021 Vintage)
"Elegant yet dynamic, this multilayered red reveals detailed cherry and red plum flavours that are laced with savoury forest floor and mineral flavours, which build intensity toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2031."

91/100 Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast (2021 Vintage)
"Strawberries drizzled in dark chocolate share the aromatic spotlight with violets, saline and earthy oregano. A balanced wine, with velvety tannins, chipper acidity and flavours of raspberries, rosemary and hazelnuts. A smooth, round and enjoyable mouthfeel seals the deal."