Wines with the ‘wow’ factor, the new releases from Domaine Serene were even more stunning than their hillside property. Domaine Serene has earned a national reputation for incredible Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. Their new release red and white wines were every bit as good as their absolutely scintillating prior releases. The winery, founded in 1989 by Grace and Ken Evanstad, is located at the top of the Dundee Hills, neighboring White Rose and Domaine Drouhin. A visit to this gorgeous setting is sure to impress. It is no surprise that Domaine Serene made first wine in 1990 and immediately achieved a 90 point rating from Robert Parker. In April 2015, the Evenstads expanded upon their original vision of producing world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay by purchasing Château de la Crée, a Burgundy wine estate in the Côte d’Or. The tasting room is truly one of the finest in the Northwest and their new lineup is clearly one of the best in Oregon.
Look for their absolutely incredible 2014 ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Chardonnay (WWB, 95) which is one of the best Chardonnay wines from Oregon that I have sampled in the past year. Even more incredible is their 2013 ‘Recolte’ Chardonnay (WWB, 96) which shows incredible fruit weight, poise and range. It is clear that head winemaker Erik Kramer has a stunning ability with Chardonnay. Learn more about Domaine Serene at http://domaineserene.com/ Here are the incredible new wines from Domaine Serene.
2014 Domaine Serene 'Evenstad Reserve' Chardonnay- A follow up to the incredible 2013 ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Chardonnay, it is hard to believe that this wine is showing even better. Aged for 13 months in 31% French oak, this stunning Chardonnay wine has lively aromatics with nutmeg, vanilla cream, lemon curd and suggestions of Mandarin orange blossom. The palate has lovely texture and viscosity, displaying lively flavors of poached pear, creme brulee, Meyer lemon, buttered popcorn, New York apple and baking spices. This all leads to an exceedingly long, 45 second plus finish. A wine with a seamless quality and the 'wow' favor, this displays lovely structure considering the heat of the vintage. Drink 2016-2028- 95
2013 Domaine Serene 'Recolte' Chardonnay- This highly impressive wine weighs in at 13.3% alcohol and was aged 17 months in 75% new French oak prior to bottling in May 2015. Having a deep, golden hue, this gorgeous Chardonnay wine begins with an aromatic profile of vanilla, Meyer lemon zest, butterscotch and mushroom. There are flavors reminiscent of creme brulee, vanilla cream, lemon oil, white truffle, Gravenstein apple and suggestions of nutmeg. This has gorgeous weight on the mid-palate and, like the Evenstad Reserve Chardonnay, a 45 plus second finish. I think this will be an exceedingly long lived Chardonnay. Congrats to superstar winemaker Erik Kramer and his team on this compelling new release Chardonnay that is up there with the best in Oregon. This will be an exceedingly long-lived wine as it should cellar beautifully for more than another decade. Drink 2016-2030- 96
2014 Domaine Serene 'Clos de Lune' Chardonnay- The 2014 Domaine Serene 'Cote du Lune' Chardonnay was aged for 13 months in 40% new French oak prior to bottling. This wine has an exotic edge with aromatics of brioche, Bartlett pear, cantaloupe and hints of nutmeg. There are dense flavors of creme brulee, brioche, Meyer lemon, and Pazzaz apple. This has gorgeous range and texture on the mid-palate. This is elegant, polished and rich Burgundian style Chard. Drink 2016-2027- 94
2014 Domaine Serene 'Côte Sud' Chardonnay- This wine opens with a bouquet of pineapple, banana, Pink Lady apple and suggestions of butterscotch with nutmeg. The palate is plush and layered with flavors of nectarine, Red Delicious apple, vanilla cream and hints of dried mango. This has an exotic edge. Drink 2016-2025- 93
2014 Domaine Serene 'Clos du Soleil' Chardonnay- The 2014 Domaine Serene 'Clos du Soleil' Chardonnay is another fantastic release from this estate. The Chardonnay begins with aromatics of brioche, Meyer lemon oil, cantaloupe, Gala apple and allspice. There are dense flavors of creme brulee, Pink Lady apple, butterscotch and pineapple upside down cake. The mouthfeel is dense and beautifully textured as this experience ends with a 45 second plus finish. Impossible to resist, and like the other Serene Chardonnays, this one will have a long life in the cellar. (Drink 2016-2028- 94
2013 Domaine Serene 'Yamhill Cuvee' Pinot Noir- This is a seriously good entry level bottling from this estate, that drinks beautifully straight out of the bottle. This translucent Pinot Noir opens with bright aromas of red raspberry, teaberry and cran-orange with red cherry starburst. There are flavors of red cherry, vanilla, red raspberry, guava and a touch of forest floor. The mouthfeel is beautiful. Drink 2016-2024- 91
2013 Domaine Serene 'Evenstad Reserve' Pinot Noir- One of the outstanding new release wines from this estate is their 2013 ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir, which follows their exceptional 2012 bottling. They have elected to have age this wine longer than most other estates, as the wie is currently displaying nice round fruit and a silky mouthfeel. This wine opens with intense aromas of red cherry, forest floor, black truffle oil and hints of cran-cherry. Lithe and rich, this excellent bottling has a silky mouthfeel and yields flavors of black cherry, baking spices, wild blackberry, red currant and Shitake mushroom. The minerality and structure to this gorgeous Burgundian style Pinot Noir wine suggests this will be a long-ager. This wine shows tremendous range and poise from this difficult vintage in Oregon, as the superior winemaking by head winemaker Erik Kramer shines through. Drink 2016-2028- 93
2013 Domaine Serene 'Gold Eagle' Pinot Noir- This gorgeous Pinot Noir begins with an aromatic profile of baking spices, red cherry, cranberry, and sage accents. The palate is plush with flavors of black cherry, mulberry, teaberry and black truffle. Lithe and rich, this is a gorgeous effort. Drink 2016-2028- 93
2013 Domaine Serene 'Grace' Pinot Noir- One of the premier Pinots in the Willamette Valley, this wine follows up the exceptional 2012 bottling. The Pinot opens with a bouquet of black truffle oil, forest floor, Umami, red cherry and gooseberry. There are rich flavors of black cherry, wild blackberry tart, Shitake mushroom, red currant and cinnamon. Having an exceedingly long finish, the elegance and black fruit flavors shine through. This might benefit from another year in the bottle, as it is a bit tightly wound right now. Be sure to give this at least an hour decant prior to savoring. Drink 2017-2030- 94
2013 Domaine Serene 'Jerusalem Hill' Pinot Noir- This impressive Pinot Noir begins with aromas of black tea, red cherry, red currant and cinnamon accents. Bright and full of energy, the palate brings flavors of black cherry, black truffle, forest floor, red cherry and cranberry. The weight on the mid-palate is gorgeous, which leads to the 30 second plus finish. Like the other '13 releases from Serene, give this a one-plus hour decant. Drink 2016-2028- 94
2013 Domaine Serene 'Mark Bradford' Pinot Noir- The Mark Bradford Vineyard is located near the Grace Vineyard and is a high elevation and western-facing site in the Dundee Hills. This was the first vineyard planted at Domaine Serene and is named after the Grace and Ken Evenstad's son. Needing more than a two hour decant, the wine has intoxicating aromatics of Chinese black tea, allspice, black cherry, forest floor and black truffle oil. The palate is plush and smooth, with bright flavors of red cherry, red raspberry, Mandarin orange rind, black truffle and cinnamon. The finish is exceedingly long. One of the standout wines from this challenging vintage, try not to enjoy this wine for at least another year, as the fruit components needs some time to further amalgamate. Drink 2017-2030- 94
2013 Domaine Serene 'Côte Sud' Pinot Noir- A stunning release by Domaine Serene, the 2013 'Côte Sud' Pinot Noir impresses for its intensity and range. This impressive Pinot Noir was aged for 15 months in French oak (64% new) prior to bottling. Having a darker hue than most Pinots from this vintage, this impressive wine opens with aromatics of black truffle, red cherry, spicebox, and red raspberry. There are dark fruit flavors of wild blackberry, black cherry, black raspberry and hints of nutmeg with a touch of Shitake mushroom. Balanced, dense and polished, this is exceedingly delicious at this juncture. Drink 2016-2028- 94
2013 Domaine Serene 'Fleur de Lis' Pinot Noir- Following up the stunning 2012 release, the 2013 'Fleur de Lis' starts with an aromatic profile of cola, cran-cherry, pomegranate seed and forest floor. Lithe and smooth on the mid-palate, there are flavors of cranberry, teaberry, orange rind, wet rock and red cherry with a touch of crushed sage. Rich and showing nice poise, this will be a long ager. Drink 2016-2028- 93
2013 Domaine Serene 'Winery Hill' Pinot Noir- Aged for 16 months in French oak (56% new), the 'Winery Hill' by Domaine Serene is another gorgeous release from this estate. Only having 13.1% alcohol and needing more than a two hour decant, this wine needs some time to awaken from its slumber. This light colored wine finally is aroused with aromatics of forest floor, seaweed, white truffle and suggestions of candied red cherry. The palate is smooth and plush, delivering red fruit flavors of red cherry, red raspberry, guava, nutmeg and cremini mushroom. The velvety mouthfeel leads to an exceedingly long, 30 plus second finish. Kudos to superstar head winemaker Erik Kramer. Drink 2016-2030- 94
2013 Domaine Serene 'Two Barns' Pinot Noir- This Pinot Noir wine begins with aromatics of nutmeg, red cherry, cranberry and hints of black truffle. There are deep flavors of red cherry, ripe raspberry, strawberry, crushed mint and guava puree. This has a lovely, long finish and a silky mouthfeel. Like the other Serene releases, this has some rather serious cellaring potential. Drink 2016-2026- 93
2013 Domaine Serene 'Grand Cheval' Red Wine- This intense wine opens with aromatics of black tea, black cherry, black plum and hints of coffee grounds. There are rich flavors of black cherry, black tea, black raspberry and hints of sage. Lithe and balanced, this is exceedingly delicious at this juncture. Drink 2017-2030- 94
Domaine Serene is just an insanely gorgeous spot to taste wine. I chose a gorgeous fall morning to sample their new release Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. This expansive property overlooks the valley, perched on top of the Dundee Hills, and is a must-visit for Oregon Pinot and Chardonnay lovers.