Sitting with head winemaker Michael Fay I could feel the confidence brimming as he spoke. ‘I think these are seriously good wines,’ Michael said, when asked about the new 2017 releases. ‘They have really good texture but are also rich. . . I think you’re gonna like these’ he contended. It is hard to believe that more than thirty years ago Domaine Serene was founded by Dundee Hills pioneers Grace and Ken Evenstad, One of the most beautiful wineries in the Pacific Northwest, Domaine Serene is an absolute must visit for any Oregon wine lover. I fondly recall my first visit to Domaine Serene in 2002 and was absolutely blown away not only with the sweeping views of the Willamette Valley but the stunning wines.
I have admired the wines made by Michael Fay for quite some time, as he made some downright awesome wines for Goldeneye before being hired by Domaine Serene as head winemaker. Michael does a masterful job with crafting his Pinot Noirs which come from another warm vintage. One of the consistently great Oregon Pinot Noirs, the 2017 ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 95) shows a massive core of bright red and dark fruits with a downright sexy mouthfeel. The ’17 ‘Evenstad Reserve’ is a heavyhitter of a wine that is to be bought by the case. Even better is the 2017 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 96) showing incredible finesse and a silky mouthfeel. This thing is marvelous to enjoy after a two hour decant and will be exceedingly long-lived. I know I might sound a bit redundant, but Domaine Serene has done it again. Learn more about this famed Oregon estate at http://domaineserene.com/ Here are the incredible new release wines by Domaine Serene.
NV Domaine Serene ‘XII’ Rose- Always made as a multi-vintage wine, the ‘XII’ starts off with pretty rose water and watermelon aromas that meld with the lighter citrus rind and flinty undertones of the wine. Bright, yet not shy with its silky texture, the delicate red fruits dance with shades of nectarine skin and Gravenstein apple flavors. Truly needing a warm summer day, the Domaine Serene ‘XII’ Rose is a serious, stand alone, effort that will be best enjoyed over the next several years. Drink 2020-2025- 91
2017 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Chardonnay- Located high atop the estate property located in the Dundee Hills, the 2017 ‘Cote Sud’ Chardonnay shows off lovely flinty aromatics that mingle with lemon zest, kumquat and green apple tones that all mingle together in the glass. The palate is plush, showing a seamless texture and a soft mouthfeel that melds marvelously with the bright minerality of the wine and deep core of citrus and orchard fruits. The length and generous finish of the wine truly accentuates the drinking enjoyment. Fantastic to savor now, this beautiful wine will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 94
2017 Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir is another monumental release from this storied Dundee Hills estate. Needing a one hour decant to fully develop, the wine slowly unveils red currant and nutmeg infused kirsch aromatics that meld with the damp earth and black truffle shaving aromatics that all take shape in the glass. The palate is round and generous, creating a seamless quality that runs through the core of the wine. Deep red and dark fruits dance with citrus rind, forest floor and a light dusting of salted cocoa powder that meld together on the palate. The combination of length, range, weight and acidity brings you back to the glass for more hedonistic delight. Truly stunning in its youth, the 2017 ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir is up there with the best ever releases of its kind. Domaine Serene has done it again. Drink 2020-2035- 95
2017 Domaine Serene ‘Two Barns Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 Domaine Serene ‘Two Barns Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is an outstanding new wine from this historic estate. Sourced from this 215 acre vineyard first planted in 2000. Needing an hour decent to fully be expressive, the wine is slowly awakened with a deep core of red cherry candy and guava puree aromas that meld with the lovely high-toned citrus rind and baking spice aromatics that all take shape in the glass. The palate is dense and plush, showing a silky mouthfeel land a wonderful elegance. Fantastic to enjoy in its youth, this beautifully textured effort will provide drinking enjoyment for decades to come. Drink 2020-2035- 94
2017 Domaine Serene ‘Abbey Oaks Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The fantastic 2017 ‘Abbey Oaks Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is another fantastic release from this famed Oregon winery. Sourced from this Yamhill-Carlton AVA vineyard, this opens with ripe kirsch and huckleberry aromas that meld with shades of peat moss and forest floor with a dusting of white truffle that all come together in the glass. The freshness and verve of the wine is every bit outstanding with a rich core of dark fruits, wild mushroom and damp earthy tones. This is fantastic to enjoy in its youth and will continue to drink well for fifteen or more years to come. Drink 2020-2035- 94
2017 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Pinot Noir- The every bit outstanding 2017 ‘Cote Sud’ Pinot Noir is another thrilling new bottling from this great, dry-farmed, vineyard, set on Jory soils and perched high in the Dundee Hills AVA. Dark berry aromas — huckleberry and boysenberry tones — come alive in the glass alongside the lighter peat moss tones that meld in the glass. The palate is plush, showing good weight and a plush, seamless texture that effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Hints of tobacco leaf and damp earth connect with the deep core of wild blackberry compote and lighter orange rind tones that sing in harmony on the palate. Fantastic to savor now, there 2017 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Pinot Noir will give drinking pleasure for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2033- 94
2017 Domaine Serene ‘Triple S Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Triple S Vineyard’ is a small, 4 acre parcel located in the Dundee Hills, planted to Dijon and Pommard Pinot Noir clones. Needing a one hour decant to fully evolve, the wine becomes aroused, slowly unveiling red currants and underbrush aromas that combine with salted orange rind and a dusting of volcanic earth that all take shape in the glass. The palate is dense and wonderfully earthy, with peat moss and forest floor flavors that meld with the core of dark fruits and a touch of milk chocolate. Showing great acidity and a seamless texture, this outstanding new bottling will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 95
2017 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a stunning new wine by this talented winemaking team led by Michael Fay. Sourced from this dry-farmed vineyard set on Jory soils, the ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir opens with sour kirsch and peat moss tones that connect with the cran-pomegranate and blood orange zest aromatics that all mingle in the glass. The palate is plush and dense, providing a silky mouthfeel and gorgeous sense of texture. Ripe red and dark fruits collide with minerals, peat moss and shades of black truffle crudo on the palate. Gorgeous, round and generous to enjoy in its youth, the 2017 ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir will be exceedingly long lived. Be sure to give this at least an hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2020-2040- 96