Domaine Serene, Pinot Noir, Evenstad Reserve, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2018

Overview of the Wine
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 to plant, grow and produce ultra-premium Pinot Noir. They have been involved in every aspect of growing, producing and marketing Domaine Serene wines.

Ken and Grace own 462 acres of land in Yamhill County in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, 150 acres of land is planted to vine. In addition to Pinot Noir, which is about 95% of the wine produced, they also make a little Chardonnay and Syrah. Their wines have won many accolades and awards, including over 80 wines scoring 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator.

Grape / Blend
Pinot Noir

Origin
Willamette Valley, Oregon 

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The art of blending has been the hallmark of the Domaine Serene winemaking program for over 30 years. It is this artistry that has made ‘Evenstad Reserve’ our flagship wine and a benchmark for Oregon Pinot Noir since its first vintage in 1990.

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 composed tannins and savory characters of cherry tobacco, ground cloves, and allspice reveal themselves, leading to a finish of great concentration and acidity. This Pinot Noir is beautiful on release and will age gracefully in the cellar for years to come.

Alcohol: 14.5%

95 points -  James Suckling
"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. Drink or hold."

94 Points - Vinous
Deep, glistening scarlet. Ripe, spice- and smoke-tinged aromas of black raspberry, cherry cola and musky flowers on the perfumed nose. Juicy red and dark berry liqueur flavors are braced by a core of smoky minerality and pick up allspice and mocha nuances with aeration. Concentrated as well as lively, with no rough edges and a sexy floral quality that emerges on the persistent finish, where rounded tannins lend shape and gentle grip. 

94 Points - Decanter
A generous and poised Pinot Noir with lovely floral aromatics, subtle raspberry and wet earth notes, and finely expressed red fruits.

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast
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.

Product size: 750ml