Domaine Serene Evenstad Pinot Noir 2022

Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir 2022 is a 750ml, 14.3% ABV Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and the flagship expression from one of Oregon's most respected estates. The 2022 vintage earned 95 points from The Wine Advocate and a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition — strong validation for a wine that has served as a benchmark for Oregon Pinot Noir since the first Evenstad Reserve vintage in 1990.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.3%  |  Origin: Willamette Valley, Oregon  |  Vintage: 2022  |  Domaine Serene

Production & Heritage

Domaine Serene was founded by Ken and Grace Evenstad in Oregon's Willamette Valley, and for over three decades the estate has built its reputation on meticulous vineyard management and a blending philosophy that draws from multiple estate vineyard blocks. Grapes for the Evenstad Reserve are handpicked and hand-sorted, then fermented in small open-top fermenters with each vineyard lot kept separate. The wine ages approximately 14 to 18 months in French oak cooperage sourced from several French forests, and the finished blend is neither fined nor filtered — racked only at bottling using gentle gravity-flow techniques that minimize intervention from vineyard to glass.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark black cherry anchors the nose, followed by aromatic layers of sassafras, cola, and delicate lilac. The bouquet unfolds gradually, revealing increasing complexity as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and generous, with bramble and juicy cherry immediately coating the palate. At mid-palate, a lift of fresh raspberry adds brightness and energy, while silky weight and impeccable balance keep everything cohesive. The texture is rich without heaviness — a hallmark of well-made Willamette Valley Pinot Noir at this level.

Finish: The finish is bright and mouthwatering, with lingering cherry and subtle French oak spice that persist well after each sip. There is a refreshing acidity on the close that invites the next glass.

How to Drink Evenstad Pinot Noir

Serve this Pinot Noir at a cool cellar temperature of around 58–62°F, ideally in a wide-bowled Burgundy glass that allows the aromatics to develop fully. Decanting for 20–30 minutes can open up the darker fruit layers. While this wine is built for contemplative sipping on its own, it also performs well in food-driven contexts where lighter reds shine.

Best For

• A special-occasion dinner featuring roasted duck or braised lamb
• Gifting a serious wine collector who appreciates Oregon Pinot Noir
• Laying down in a cellar for mid-term aging of three to seven years
• Hosting an Oregon-versus-Burgundy tasting alongside benchmark French Pinot Noir

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Evenstad Pinot Noir taste like? The 2022 Evenstad Reserve leads with dark black cherry, bramble, and fresh raspberry layered over a full-bodied, silky palate. The finish is bright and mouthwatering with lingering fruit and subtle oak spice.

How does Evenstad Pinot Noir compare to Beaux Frères Pinot Noir? Both are benchmark Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs at a similar quality tier, but the Evenstad Reserve leans toward darker fruit and a fuller body from its multi-block estate blending, while Beaux Frères Vineyard Pinot Noir tends to emphasize single-vineyard terroir expression. The 2022 Evenstad's 95-point Wine Advocate score places it among the top-rated Oregon Pinot Noirs of the vintage.

Is Evenstad Pinot Noir good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its silky texture, layered fruit, and balanced acidity make it an ideal wine to enjoy on its own with no food required. A slight chill and a generous glass allow the full aromatic profile to emerge.

Where is Evenstad Pinot Noir made? Domaine Serene produces the Evenstad Reserve at their estate in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, drawing fruit from multiple vineyard blocks across the property. The Willamette Valley is widely regarded as the premier American region for Pinot Noir.

What foods pair well with Evenstad Pinot Noir? Roasted duck breast pairs naturally with the wine's dark cherry and bramble character. Grilled salmon benefits from the bright acidity on the finish. Mushroom risotto echoes the earthy undertones. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese complements the French oak influence. Herb-crusted rack of lamb matches the wine's full-bodied structure.

What sizes does Evenstad Pinot Noir come in? The Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Evenstad Pinot Noir worth the price? The Evenstad Reserve positions as a premium Oregon Pinot Noir, and its consistent critical acclaim — including 95 points from The Wine Advocate for the 2022 vintage — places it firmly among the top values in its tier compared to similarly scored wines from Burgundy or other elite Pinot Noir regions.

Why Evenstad Pinot Noir?

Since 1990, the Evenstad Reserve has stood as Domaine Serene's defining statement on what Oregon Pinot Noir can achieve. The 2022 vintage's 95-point Wine Advocate score and Double Gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition confirm that the wine continues to deliver at the highest level after more than three decades. The unfined, unfiltered, gravity-flow production preserves a purity of fruit and texture that distinguishes it from more heavily processed wines in this price range. For anyone tracking elite American Pinot Noir, the Evenstad Reserve remains an essential reference point.