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White dry
Lingua Franca Bunker Hill Chardonnay 2021 is a refined, minerally expressive wine from the historically important Bunker Hill Estate vineyard, located on the southern side of the Salem Hills, at an altitude of 650-700m. The wine, with its excellent structure and elegance, reflects the unique volcanic soils and the influence of the cold climate.
The complex aroma unfolds in layers: at first, mineral notes are felt, which transition into citrus fruits - especially lemon peel - and white flowers. The aroma is subtly complemented by hints of ginkgo leaves and refreshing fresh herbs.
The wine is balanced, energetic and complex. Nuances of green apple, pear and vanilla blossom stand out. The natural acidity of the Willamette Valley region wines is softened and smoothed through the labor-intensive fermentation and barrel aging process. The aftertaste is long, mineral. The wine was aged for 11 months with yeast (sur lie) - 26% in new and 74% in used French oak barrels.
Serve at a temperature of 8 - 10 °C with crab salad, lobster prepared with butter and herbs, cold smoked fish, halibut with white truffles, salmon with chanterelles.
Apples, cedar and baking spices on the nose follow through to a medium body with fresh acidity. Good volume with texture. Balanced with a creamy finish. Drink now.
The 2021 Chardonnay Bunker Hill is singular and expressive. It has layered aromas of apple compote, lemon meringue, matchstick, toast and beeswax. The light-bodied palate pairs generous, savory flavors with tangy acidity, and its energy and flintiness create a shimmery feel despite its concentration. It's a gorgeous Chardonnay that will be long lived in the cellar.
Lingua Franca is one of the most modern and highly regarded wineries in Oregon, located in the Willamette Valley, a region renowned for its cool-climate ‘Chardonnay’ and ‘Pinot Noir’. Founded in 2012 by legendary Master Sommelier Larry Stone, the estate quickly gained acclaim. After a long career in some of the world’s finest restaurants, Stone decided to realize his dream of creating wines that speak the language of terroir. He is supported in this project by one of Burgundy’s most respected winemakers, Dominique Lafon (Meursault), while the winemaking is overseen by Thomas Savre, who trained in Burgundy and worked with such iconic domaines as DRC and Domaine Dujac. The name “Lingua Franca” symbolically means a “common language” – the language of wine that connects people across the world.
Wine Style
Lingua Franca wines are known for their elegance, purity, minerality, and balance. The style is based on a philosophy of minimal intervention – fermentation is carried out only with native yeasts, aging on the lees (“sur lie”) brings length and texture, while French oak is used with restraint to enhance structure without overpowering the expression of terroir. These are wines that are enjoyable when young, yet also demonstrate excellent aging potential.
Prestigious Vineyards
Lingua Franca’s flagship site is the LSV Estate Vineyard, located on the southern slopes of Eola–Amity Hills. Its terroir is defined by:
Aging and Drinking Window
Lingua Franca wines are aged in high-quality French oak barrels, typically with only a small proportion of new oak, to preserve subtlety and finesse. Thanks to their structure and precision, these wines shine in their youth but also possess the ability to age gracefully for a decade or more, revealing even greater complexity over time.
