Sitting across from winemaker Carl Formaker, we stared at our tasing — a really novel comparison between wines of 2012 and 2022. “2012 was a banner year, my second favorite vintage to 2005” said Formaker. “It was like a second calling of 2005 and I can see it, it has the power and intensity of fruit without being overripe and pruny. Also this growing season reminds me much of what I see in 2025. Drier in the spring, not much rain this year but we had a warm flower and fruit set and that caused the berries to be smaller.”
Formaker said “I am looking at these clusters and we have all these small berries and big berries and we have a chance to have a very special vintage.” Good things to come based on what he is experiencing in the vineyard.
It was interesting revisiting wines from 2022 which is the current release for Domaine Serene. ‘22 was cool and needed no rain or no freeze in October in order for the grapes to reach phenolic ripeness. “They got a really warm October and got ripeness where they wanted. I think that the wines have a lush tenure and silkiness. Fruit is not desiccated or overripe. This was my first time blending and bottling here, learning about the vineyards and trying to capture that freshness” said Formaker.
The wines from 2012 really shined. I love the 2012 ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 98) which is a total masterclass from this vintage and is really only now starting to come into its own. As far as the new wines go, I love where the 2022 ‘Triple S Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) is showing right now. This is dense and chewy stuff that is downright delicious to enjoy now. Don’t be afraid to crack this beauty open. Learn more at domaineserene.com and here are my reviews from an unforgettable 2012 Retrospective tasting with Domaine Serene winemaker Carl Formaker.
2012 Domaine Serene ‘Triple S’ Pinot Noir- The 2012 Domaine Serene ‘Triple S’ Pinot Noir was stored for 11 months in 66% new French oak before bottling. This site sits near the Grace Vineyard. The tertiary notes are rocking here with black truffle shavings and shades of peat moss that combine with wild blackberry. This is soft and seamless to enjoy right now, with great concentration and underlying finesse, with rocky nuances. This will easily cellar for another ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 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
2012 Domaine Serene ‘Two Barns’ Pinot Noir- Planted in 2000, the ‘Two Barns’ is a 35 acres planted to Pinot Noir on both marine sedimentary and Jory soils. The site was purchased by the Evenstads in the late 2000s. Gorgeous red florals mark the nose alongside red currants and shades of menthol on the nose. The palate is dense and deep with remarkable concentration and underlying tension and salty nuance. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2022 Domaine Serene ‘Two Barns’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Domaine Serene ‘Two Barns’ Pinot Noir come from this location set on both volcanic and marine sedimentary soils. The palate is deep and polished with a refined mouthfeel and loads of texture. A glorious melange of red and dark fruits mingle well with freshly tilled soils on the palate. This has a long life in front of it. Drink 2025-2040- 96
2012 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The sensational 2012 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a glorious showing now at the thirteen year mark. Red rose petals and tobacco leaf mark the nose alongside stony soils and shades of red licorice on the nose. The palate is utterly seamless throughout the drinking experience, with a massive amount of tension and flavor density. Drink 2025-2040- 98
2022 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The sensational 2022 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a total stunner that has a long life ahead of it. Gorgeous red florals mark the nose alongside Satsuma orange zest, wet rock and a dusting of white pepper. The palate is dense and seamless, with concentrated red and dark fruits. This is a total stunner that is only slowly coming into its own. Give this at least another year or two in the cellar. Drink 2027-2050- 98
2012 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Pinot Noir- A bolder side of 2012, the 2012 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Pinot Noir comes from what is probably the warmest part of the estate vineyard. On the nose this takes on gorgeous red florals that combines with suggestions of Cuban cigar, tar, anise seed and suggestions of freshly tilled salty soils. This is silky, elegant and has absolutely sensational flavor density. Drink 2025-2033- 97
2022 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Cote Sud’ is a rich and polished new Pinot Noir that was stored for 15 months in 55% new French oak before bottling. This is a heady edition of this wine from a slightly cooler vintage. The palate is dense and plush with refined tannins and a great sense of elegance. A generous core of volcanic soil dusted red fruits greet you alongside black raspberry, and hints of menthol on the palate. Drink 2025-2042- 96