Happy Weekend to you all! Today we share the glorious new wines from Domaine Serene. It has been more than twenty years since I first set foot at Domaine Serene. I will never forget how impressive that inaugural tasting was. Dundee Hills pioneers Grace and Ken Evenstad found this incredible parcel of land high atop the Dundee Hills, and planted their vines on ancient volcanic soils. This is a magical place to visit with sweeping views of the valley and a really attentive staff that know Oregon wine and can help guide you through your tasting.
Michael Fay continues to make world-class wines at Domaine Serene. I love the new 2023 Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is deeply textured and shows fabulous concentration and texture. Check out the stunning 2023 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Chardonnay (OB, 97) which is a total masterclass from this slightly warmer site in the Dundee Hills. Learn more about this famed Oregon estate at http://domaineserene.com/ Here are the incredible new release wines by Domaine Serene.
2023 Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Chardonnay- A glorious and dense bottling from this slightly warmer vintage, the 2023 Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Chardonnay was stored for 14 months in mainly neutral French oak barrels before bottling. Brioche and lemon rind flavors combine with suggestions of salty and stony soils alongside hints of gingerbread on the palate. A delight to savor in its heady youth, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2022 Domaine Serene ‘Triple Crown’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Triple Crown’ comes from this location in the Dundee Hills, set on 750-900 feet elevation. This location is dry-farmed and set on Jory soils. This is very rocky on the nose, with smoldering stones alongside white peach, pastry crust and suggestions of baking spice laced banana. The palate is plush and very mineral-laden with fabulous freshness and depth. A gorgeous wine to enjoy now, savor this salty and stony, very mineral-laden bottling now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 96
2023 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Cote Sud’ Chardonnay comes from this southern-facing location that is set on ancient rocky soils. Meyer lemon meringue and shades of bright starfruit fill the palate alongside crushed wet rock, salted nectarine and suggestions of basil leaf on the palate. Highly complex and delicious, with a vibrant sense of tension, this has a really long life in front of it. Drink 2025-2040- 97
2022 Domaine Serene ‘Winery Hill’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Winery Hill’ comes from the 20-acre, dry-farmed location in the Dundee Hills, set on Jory soils. Vines were planted all the way back in 2000. Red rose petals mark the nose alongside rocky soils, loganberry preserves, fresh sage and suggestions of exotic spices. The palate is soft and seamless with a terrific sense of both texture and verve. Glorious now in its dense and heady youth, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. But why wait? Drink 2025-2040- 96
2022 Domaine Serene ‘Jerusalem Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The sinfully good 2022 Domaine Serene ‘Jerusalem Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a lower elevation site that is set in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. This has a bevy of plush red fruits on the palate, with guava puree and bright strawberry alongside sensational texture and salty nuance with orange zest flavors. Full-bodied and delicious, watch this evolve over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 96
2022 Domaine Serene ‘Triple S Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Triple S Vineyard’ comes from this location owned by Sue and Steve Schneider that is set on a southern aspect, planted to Pommard and Dijon clonal selection Pinot Noir. Rocky aromatics fill the glass alongside beautiful red florals, citrus rind, tobacco and shades of Middle Eastern spices. The palate is deep and rich as this has a gorgeous core of red fruits that greet you alongside Satsuma orange zest and cardamom dusted pie crust on the palate. Full-bodied and very delicious now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 96