James' Staff Pick - Lingua Franca Estate Pinot Noir

Lingua Franca Estate Pinot Noir 2019
Region:Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
GRAPE(S): Pinot Noir
DRINKS BEST: Now – 10 Years

Lingua Franca – a premier small-production, artisanal winery out of the Willamette – was unfortunately forced to sell to a conglomerate in 2022 following the twin pressures of COVID and Oregon wildfires. The 2019’s are the last remaining gems, suitable for drinking now or cellaring, and once they’re gone the wine won’t be available for some time. It’s classic Willamette – beautifully aromatic, loads of raspberry and cherry notes, and evolving in your glass over the course of your entire meal. Get ‘em while you can!

What's Cooking?

It’s wild salmon season, so treat yourself to a wild caught fillet and an al fresco dinner

What do I like to drink? 

While I fell in love with wine in California, I’m a Francophile at heart – Burgundy, Champagne, Rhone, and Loire account for the majority of my personal drinking. I love balanced wines with layers of flavor, and wines that pair with a wide variety of food. I probably have the most traditional palate on the team, and I’m okay with that.