A blend of 70% estate-grown Pinot Noir and 30% Seven Hills vineyard Syrah, this is dominated initially with scents and flavors of vanilla. Aggressive aeration opens it up, and the Syrah begins to show more of its presence, with blue and black fruits and a layer of coffee. Though the blend is unusual, the polish and overall balance makes this an interesting alt-red for beef and grilled meats.\n Producer Information\n Established in 1989, Domaine Serene is a well-regarded wine producer based in Dayton, Oregon. It makes wines throughout the Willamette Valley, with most vineyards in the Dundee Hills AVA (in which the winery is located). In keeping with the region, much of Serene's portfolio is based on Pinot Noir, although Chardonnay features prominently as well. The domaine is made of six estates all up – as well as sites in the the Dundee Hills, Serene has the Abbey Oaks Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, and the Jerusalem Hill Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. The gravity-flow winery at the Winery Hills site was completed in 2001 and in 2015, owners Grace and Ken Evenstad also bought Château de la Crée, an estate in Burgundy. In 2021, Evenstad Estates (Domaine Serene's parent group established by the Evenstads) also acquired Vougeot-based operation Christian Confuron et Fils. The move added six hectares (15 acres) to the family's Burgundy holdings, predominantly in the more northern Cote de Nuits. Since its first commercial release in 1990, which received a 90-point score from critic Robert Parker, Domaine Serene has been a significant force in Oregon luxury wine. Fruit is grown on self-rooted vines, and, like the majority of Willamette Valley producers, most of its top wines are made from Pinot Noir. This includes a range of single-vineyard expressions, as well as the flagship Evenstad Reserve. Domaine Serene also makes the Monogram Pinot Noir from the best barrels in selected vintages, and the Coeur Blanc, an unusual white wine made from Pinot Noir.
