Today we share the epic wines from Domaine Serene and Domaine Evenstad. It was an electric end of day tasting at the top of the Dundee Hills. Domaine Serene invited me to taste with their winemakers who are making some of the best wines in Oregon. They also have a special collection of wines under their Domaine Evenstad label. This Burgundy house has16 estate vineyards, including two Grand Cru sites across 15 acres of majestic countryside of the famed Côte de Nuits.
It was back in 2015 that Domaine Serene founders Grace and Ken Evenstad purchased a storied château, winery, and vineyards in the Côte de Beaune of Burgundy. Set in the picturesque village of Santenay, the history of Château de la Crée traces its roots back to 1431, when it was built by Nicolas Rolin, Chancellor to Philip the Good, the Third Duke of Burgundy, and his wife, Guigone de Salins.
I had the chance to review all the new Burgundy releases and was blown away with the overall quality in the wines. The vintages have been very warm in this region which makes it harder and harder to produce white wines with excellent tension. I adored the 2023 Chateau de la Cree ‘Graviers’ Santenay (OB, 94) which shows amazing stony character and vibrant tension. Learn more about this electric Burgundy house at https://www.domaineevenstad.com/ and here are my reviews of the new wines by Domaine Evenstad.
2016 Domaine Serene ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine- The 2016 Domaine Serene ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine comes from the Cote Sud and Gold Eagle Vineyards and pent seven years on the lees and then was disgorged in Winter 2023. Dosage checks in at roughly 7G/L. Nutmeg drenched peaches and pastry crust combines with hints of ginger on the nose. The palate is mineral-laden with incredible verve and freshness. Drink 2026-2035- 95
2019 Domaine Serene ‘Recolte Grand Cru’ Chardonnay- The 2019 Domaine Serene ‘Recolte Grand Cru’ Chardonnay comes from old vine plantings at the Estate. It is a barrel selection wine that is seductive, rich and layered, with sensational tension. Honeysucke and poached pear combine with oyster shell on the nose. The palate has amazing texture with tremendous texture and weight. This is showing marvelously right now. Drink 2026-2039- 97
2023 Chateau de la Cree ‘Graviers’ Santenay- The 2023 Chateau de la Cree ‘Graviers’ Santenay comes from this location with southeastern exposure on a gentle slope. The nose comes off very rocky with juicy cranberry and red rose petal aromatics that combine in the glass. The palate is lush and refined with great gravel character, alongside bay leaf and a gorgeous core of red and dark fruits. Inviting and mineral-laden, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2026-2038- 94
2023 Maison Evenstad ‘Premier Cru’ Savigny-les-Beaune- The outstanding 2023 Maison Evenstad ‘Premier Cru’ Savigny-les-Beaune shows off black truffle on the nose with peat moss and shades of fresh sage. The palate is linear and refined with tons of tension, tart red fruits, orange rind and stony character alongside damp earthy notes. This has a long life in front of it. Drink 2026-2040- 95
2023 Maison Evenstad ‘Premier Cru Les Epenotes’ Beaune- The 2023 Maison Evenstad ‘Premier Cru Les Epenotes’ Beaune has been made since 2018. This location is right outside Pommard. Right away this offers red florals with pine needles and shades of red licorice on the nose. The palate is fresh and viscous with terrific texture and verve. Generous and broad-shouldered, this is drinking marvelously now. Drink 2026-2038- 95
2023 Domaine Evenstad ‘Les Retraints’ Cote de Nuits-Villages- The 2023 Domaine Evenstad ‘Les Retraints’ Cote de Nuits-Villages comes from a late ripening location set on clay loam with some limestone. Right away it comes off nervy and intense. It is drinking marvelously right now in its core of pomegranate seed, orange rind and shades of bergamot on the palate, with loads of stony minerals. Medium to full-bodied, with serious texture and tension, enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2026-2044- 95
2023 Domaine Evenstad ‘Premier Cru Les Feusselottes’ Chambolle-Musigny- The wow-factor 2023 Domaine Evenstad ‘Premier Cru Les Feusselottes’ Chambolle-Musigny comes off marvelously mineral-laden on the palate. Peat moss and forest floor combine with shades of white truffle shavings and wild blackberry on the palate. This is a dense, incredibly polished and delicious Burgundy that has a long life in front of it. Drink 2026-2040- 97
2023 Domaine Evenstad ‘Longcourts Vielles Vignes 1929’ Nuits Saint Georges- The 2023 Domaine Evenstad ‘Longcourts Vielles Vignes 1929’ Nuits Saint Georges shows pretty red rose petals on the nose with loganberry preserves, damp earth and shades of chanterelle mushroom. The palate is elegant and refined, loaded with juicy red fruits with orange zest notes alongside copious stony minerals. Drink 2026-2040- 96
2023 Chateau de la Cree ‘Premier Cru Gravieres’ Santenay- The 2023 Chateau de la Cree ‘Premier Cru Gravieres’ Santenay offers wet rock and salted limes alongside shades of orange blossom on the nose. The palate is laden with tension and salty/stony soil character, with hints of papaya and pineapple. Drink 2026-2036- 94
2023 Maison Evenstad ‘Premier Cru Le Porusot’ Mersault- The 2023 Maison Evenstad ‘Premier Cru Le Porusot’ Mersault delvers white rose petals and mango on the nose alongside toasted brioche. The palate is juicy and refined with serious verve and richness. An elegant and dense Mersault, this is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2026-2038- 95