Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc French white wine

Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2024 French white wine

Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2024 is a French white wine that doesn’t need to be decanted but is best enjoyed if opened half an hour before serving. Established in 1979 by Lucien and Marie-Jose Michel, Le Vieux Donjon has over 15 hectares of vineyards located in Chateauneuf du Pape. The vineyards are cultivated sustainably, with some vines up to 80 years old.

Along with their renowned red wines, the estate also produces small quantities of white wine made from a blend of Roussanne and Clairette grapes from old vineyards on Saxon soils. The low yields result in grapes of exceptional quality and concentration. After fermentation in steel at a controlled temperature, the wine is aged in steel to maintain its natural freshness and aroma.

Le Vieux Donjon’s Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc has a bright color with golden reflections and a complex aroma of citrus, flowers, spice, and minerals. The palate is juicy and fresh with a medium body and a pleasant acidity, leading to a long finish with floral notes. This wine pairs well with scallops, white fish, and poultry.

Lewis Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 California red wine

Lewis Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 is a red wine from California that is best enjoyed after decanting for at least an hour. Founded in 1992 by Debbie and Randy Lewis in Napa Valley, the family winery produces around 9,000 cases annually of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc sourced from selected vineyards in Napa Valley and Sonoma. While their Cabernet Sauvignon wines are the most popular, their Chardonnay range, especially the Barcaglia Lane cuvee from the Russian River Valley, is also well-loved.

The grapes are sourced from various regions in Napa Valley and Sonoma known for low vigor rootstocks and specific clones to ensure concentrated flavors. The Lewis Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep purple color with dark shades and a complex bouquet of wild cherries, cassis, dark chocolate, spices, licorice, and blackberry jam. On the palate, it is bold and creamy with firm tannins and a fresh character, showing great aging potential.

The finish is long and complex with hints of berries, minerals, and coffee. This wine pairs perfectly with red meat and game stews.

Lingua Franca Avni Chardonnay 2022 Oregon white wine

Lingua Franca Avni Chardonnay 2022 is a white wine from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. It is recommended to open the bottle half an hour before serving, with no need for decanting. Lingua Franca is a prestigious winery founded in 2012 by Master Sommelier Larry Stone on the 150-acre Janzen Farm, now part of the Constellation group.

The winery focuses on producing organic and biodynamic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. The Chardonnay grapes for Avni are sourced from various vineyards with shallow volcanic soils in different regions, including the Eola-Amity Hills and Chehalem Mountains. The wine undergoes spontaneous fermentation in barrel and ages on its lees for 6 months.

Led by winemaker Thomas Savre and Burgundian consultant Dominique Lafon, Avni Chardonnay offers a balanced and elegant profile with fruit notes of green apple, pear, and citrus. This wine highlights the potential of Chardonnay in Oregon with its complex and broad aromatic profile.

Lingua Franca Avni Pinot Noir 2022 Oregon red wine

Lingua Franca Avni Pinot Noir 2022 is a red wine from Oregon that is best enjoyed after being decanted for half an hour. The winery is located in the Eola-Amity Hills region of Oregon’s Willamette Valley and is now owned by Constellation Brands. Lingua Franca is known for producing top-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines using organic and biodynamic farming methods.

The grapes for their Pinot Noir come from both their own estate and neighboring vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills area. The wine is made by a team of experts including Larry Stone, Dominique Lafon, and Thomas Savre.