One of Oregon’s top producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Domaine Serene has quickly also become one of the regions top sparkling wine producers. It was nearly twenty years ago that I first visited Domaine Serene. One of the Pacific Northwest’s most gorgeous wineries, Domaine Serene was founded more than thirty years ago Domaine Serene was founded by Dundee Hills pioneers Grace and Ken Evenstad,
They quickly built their wine program and had incredible international success particularly with their Pinot Noirs. These are wines that are incredibly age-worthy and I have recently tried vintages back to 2002 that are absolutely singing even nearly at the 20 year mark.
Before coming to Domaine Serene, I admired Michael Fay’s winemaking skills at Goldeneye. He was brought to Domaine Serene as head winemaker and Michael does a masterful job with crafting his wines regardless of vintage. Assistant winemaker Rachel Zasadni has now been at Domaine Serene for more than ten years and has been in charge of the sparkling wine production. The new MV Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve M.V. 3’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 95) is their finest effort yet, with sterling minimality and incredible finesse with a very refined mousse. Just as good is a wine that is unlike anything else produced in the Pacific Northwest. The 2018 Domaine Serene ‘Grand Cheval’ Red Wine (OB, 95) is a silky, elegant effort that is sure to stump any top sommelier, as this wine blends Domaine Serene ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir with ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Syrah from the Walla Walla Valley. Learn more about this famed estate at http://domaineserene.com/ Here are the incredible new release wines by Domaine Serene.
MV Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve M.V. 3’ Sparkling Wine- Now in its third edition, the absolutely brilliant ‘M.V. 3’ Sparkling Wine is a captivating new release that exudes class and is very Oregon meets Krug ‘Grand Cuvee.’ A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines from their estate plantings in the Dundee Hills, this golden hued sparkling wine brings cardamom dusted shortbread aromas woven together with Japanese pear and shades of salted macadamia nut. The silky mousse is very refined, as the wine shows a beautiful texture and astringency upon entry, with beautiful length, tension and salty undertones. This is absolutely brilliant stuff to consume in its youth, but has both the weight and finesse to cellar well for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2021-2036- 95
2019 Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Chardonnay- The 2019 Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Chardonnay is an extraordinary release from this famed Dundee Hills estate. Sourced from a host of estate vineyard sites utilizing Dijon clonal selection and Jory soils, the wine opens with toasty oak, bright pear and lemon zest dusted brioche tones alongside salty and stony undertones on the nose. The palate is seamless and soft with a silky texture. Layers of pretty orchard fruits collide with sourdough bread and copious minerals on the palate. Showing brilliant length, this outstanding bottling will cellar well for at least another ten years. Drink 2021-2033- 94
2018 Domaine Serene ‘Grand Cheval’ Red Wine- The ‘Grand Cheval’ was an extraordinary project created by the late Ken Evenstad, dedicated to his grandfather, as this blends Seven Hills Vineyard Syrah with Domaine Serene Estate Pinot Noir. Smoky and savory tones fill the nose alongside a brilliant core of dark fruits and tobacco leaf undercurrents. The palate is utterly seamless with a brilliant texture and plenty of novelty. Your sommelier friends quite simply won’t know what this wine is. They will surely find it seamless and gratifying at the finish, with blackberry topped chocolate torte tones. Enjoy this glorious wine over the next fifteen years. Drink 2021-2036- 95