From: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: A brilliant ruby red color, the 2018 Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir expresses aromas of dried cherry, dark chocolate, and saddle leather on the nose. On the palate, ripples of dark fruit, composed tannins, and savory characters of cherry tobacco, ground cloves, and allspice reveal themselves, leading to a finish of great concentration and acidity.
Pairing: As this wine delves into deep layers of dark fruit, earth, luscious tannins, and spice it will have you craving a dish that can stand up to the strength of those flavors. We’d suggest Peking Duck with Honey and Five-Spice Glaze by Kay Chun for the NYT.
Critical Acclaim: “A ripe, spicy and glossy nose with biscuity aromas, as well as very vivid red and dark-cherry notes. The palate has a very plush and elegant feel with silky tannins that unfurl with rich, spiced red-fruit flavors. Holds fresh and precise.” –James Suckling, 95 points (August 2021)
“A deep, brooding Pinot that slowly unfolds with expressive black cherry, dusty mocha, clove and other spice flavors that fan out on the long, savory finish. Drink now through 2030.” –Wine Spectator, 94 points
“This wine, which spent 16 months in French oak, slightly more than half of it new, retains tight and compact flavors of brambly blackberries, herbs and lightly composted earth. The acidity is as prominent as the fatter, toasty barrel flavors, and the impression is that more bottle age will be a real advantage before you pull the cork.” –Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast, 92 points (December 2021)
Vinous, 93 Points
About. Ken and Grace Evenstad founded Domaine Serene Vineyards and Winery in 1989 when they purchased 42 acres of just-logged land in the Dundee Hills of Oregon. At that time, the couple had spent over 20 years together in Minnesota building a successful business, a loving family, and a deep appreciation for the wines of Burgundy. Once settled in Oregon, they built a five-level, gravity flow winery to produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They named the winery after their daughter, Serene, and their first vineyard on the estate was named after their son, Mark Bradford Evenstad.
Having expanded over the years, the Evenstads now own over 1000 acres, more than 360 of which are planted to vine in three AVAs of the Willamette Valley. They actively preserve Oregon White Oak trees and the region's biodiversity and have achieved the LIVE sustainability certification.
Joseph Micallef's Forbes article, “How Domaine Serene Became a Global Pinot Noir Icon,” offers an in-depth look at the history of the estate and its place on the global wine scene.
