From Sparrow’s red wine by the bottle list, the Lingua Franca Pinot Noir is one of the most special Oregon pours we pour here in Kirkland, an Eola-Amity Hills bottling that is $175 by the bottle.
About Lingua Franca Pinot Noir
Lingua Franca was founded by Larry Stone, one of the most respected Master Sommeliers in the country, who spent years guiding wine lists at restaurants like Charlie Trotter’s before turning his attention to growing Pinot Noir in Oregon. He bought the estate in the Eola-Amity Hills of the Willamette Valley and planted on the east-facing slopes there, joined over the years by Burgundy talent including Dominique Lafon. As the menu notes, this sought-after Pinot is sourced from specific blocks on their estate and grown in the volcanic Jory soil that gives the region its signature character. It is a wine made with a sommelier’s eye for balance, which is exactly why we are proud to have it on the list. For our guests on the Eastside who want to explore serious Oregon Pinot without leaving Kirkland, this is one of the most rewarding bottles we carry.
Tasting Notes
Complex and elegant, with lively acidity and fine-grained tannins. Look for notes of ripe cherry and rose lifted by a mushroomy, herbal earthiness that is classic cool-climate Willamette Valley. It is the kind of Pinot that keeps unfolding in the glass, generous but never heavy, with a long, savory finish that makes it a natural choice for a relaxed dinner with people you like.
What to Pair It With
Pinot Noir loves a wide range of food. From the Sparrow dinner menu, it shines next to the Braised Duck, the Pacific Black Cod, or the Scallops and Prosciutto. The earthy, savory side of this wine also makes it a lovely match for the Sparrow-Smoked Rack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lingua Franca Pinot Noir from?
It is an estate-grown Pinot Noir from the Eola-Amity Hills of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, founded by Master Sommelier Larry Stone and grown in volcanic Jory soil.
How much is Lingua Franca Pinot Noir at Sparrow in Kirkland?
It is $175 by the bottle on Sparrow’s red wine list. You can enjoy it in our Juanita neighborhood dining room or lounge on the Eastside.
What does Lingua Franca Pinot Noir taste like?
Complex and elegant, with ripe cherry, rose, and an earthy, herbal, mushroomy note, balanced by lively acidity and fine-grained tannins.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the Rex Hill Pinot Noir, another beautiful Willamette Valley red. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come taste it.