In the heart of Oregon Wine Month now, we bring you the latest releases from one of the top wineries in Oregon, Domaine Serene. One of the top estates in Oregon, Domaine Serene has earned a national reputation for incredible Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. Founded in 1989 by Grace and Ken Evenstad, Domaine Serene is perched atop the Dundee Hills, with absolutely stunning views of the valley. If you have never visited Domaine Serene, it is a must visit. As good as the views are, the wines are even better. The Evenstads have recently been in the news as they gave the largest donation for wine education in Oregon wine history, helping create the Grace and Ken Evenstad Center for Wine Education at Linfield College (https://www.linfield.edu/linfield-news/grace-and-ken-evenstad-pledge-to-revolutionize-wine-education-with-6-million-gift-to-linfield-college/). Since starting Domaine Serene the Evenstads have revolutionized Oregon wine.
The new Domaine Serene releases were simply stunning, coming from the warm 2015 vintage. A blockbuster new wine, the gorgeous 2015 ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 95) is Oregon Pinot at its best. I have not had a better release of this wine over the past fifteen years. This is truly one for the cellar. Nearly as good was the 2014 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 94) as the wine shows incredible earthy tones and wonderful range. These guys are really on top of their game right now. Learn more this top Oregon winery, Domaine Serene, at http://domaineserene.com/ Here are the incredible new wines from Domaine Serene.
NV Domaine Serene ‘X’ Rose- Beautifully astringent and refreshing, the tenth edition of this wine yields some nice sour cherry, guava and cran-orange flavors connected with minerals. Drink 2018-2022- 90
2015 Domaine Serene ‘Etoile Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2015 Domaine Serene ‘Etoile Vineyard’ Chardonnay is another highly compelling release by one of Oregon’s top producers of Chardonnay. Toasty brioche and Meyer lemon oil aromatics immediately entice with bourbon pear rounding out the nose. Powerful, yet elegant, this has a silky texture and wonderful weight. Meyer lemon creme brûlée, roasted hazelnut and poached pear flavors impress. The long, near minute long, lemon cream finish completes this awesome Chardonnay. Enjoy this great bottling over the next decade. Drink 2018-2028- 94
2015 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Needing roughly an hour in the Decanter to develop, this great wine starts off with bright starfruit, vanilla creme brûlée and lime zest aromatics. Round and rich on the mid-palate, this shows off roasted pineapple, Meyer lemon meringue and butterscotch flavors, currently displaying an exotic edge. The minerality and salinity is gorgeous here. Drink 2018-2028- 93
2015 Domaine Serene ‘Yamhill Cuvee’ Pinot Noir- Domaine Serene’s entry level bottling that impresses in this hot vintage. Very pretty red fruit aromatics mark the nose with ripe guava, cran-pomegranate, red cherry candy and a touch of blood orange rind. The palate shows really nice poise, with red cherry, red raspberry and teaberry flavors showing beautifully. Poised, with good weight, this is a spectacular effort by Serene. Having tried the past fifteen plus bottlings of this wine, this is absolutely the best example of the Yamhill Cuvée that I’ve reviewed. Drink 2018-2028- 92
2015 Domaine Serene ‘Two Barns Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Two Barns Vineyard is set at a low elevation in the Dundee Hills and is set on Willakenzie sedimentary soils. This wine was aged in 48% new French oak for 18 months prior to bottling. This begins with red fruits and a touch of citrus rind on the nose, with light oak undertones. Delicate, with a silky mouthfeel, the wine showcases guava puree, strawberry and cran-orange flavors that connect with a lovely tension. A long ager, this feminine style Pinot Noir will cellar well over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2018-2030- 93
2015 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Vineyard Pinot Noir- This wine saw considerable new French oak (58% new) for 17 months prior to botting. The resultant Pinot Noir opens with a bright bouquet of raspberry cordial, wild blackberry and forest floor aromatics. The weight and acidity of this wine shines, as does the delicious dark fruits that mingle with peat moss on the mid-palate. This finishes exceedingly long with a wonderful combination of damp earth and dark cherry pie. Drink 2018-2030- 94
2015 Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir- This deep colored Pinot Noir follows up the spectacular 2014 bottling. The nose has absolutely everything you want in great warm vintage Oregon Pinot Noir. Earthy tones connect with black cherry liquor and black truffle oil on the nose. Robust, with a stunning texture, this entices without even addressing flavor. Black Forest cake, cigar ash, loganberry jam and a touch of milk chocolate and blood orange round out this absolutely incredible wine. This is the best Evenstad Pinot Noir I’ve reviewed in the past fifteen years. Drink 2018-2035- 95