2007 Pinot Noir Grace Vineyard

My personal favorite of the collection (and the winery’s as well, based on price) is the 2007 Pinot Noir Grace Vineyard. Dark ruby-colored, it offers up a beautifully complex aromatic array of pain grille, sage, thyme, incense, rose petal, raspberry, and cherry. It has the most depth, structure, and concentration of these wines, succulent fruit, impeccable balance, and a 60-second finish. It is a candidate for wine of the vintage in 2007. Domaine Serene’s first vintage was 1990, so the upcoming harvest will be their 20th. Consistent high quality has been a benchmark of the winery and the 2007s will do nothing to change that. Ken and Grace Evenstad were kind enough to show me their first two vintages of Domaine Serene Pinot Noir, 1990 and 1991. Both wines were made by Ken Wright. Both have reached their peak, the 1991 a bit more advanced than the 1990, but they are both beautiful for current drinking. They are just two more examples of how well-made Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from strong vintages can drink well for 20+ years. Tel. (503) 864-4600; www.domaineserene.com