Domaine Serene Grand Cheval 2018

Domaine Serene Grand Cheval 2018 is a 750ml, 14.7% ABV Oregon red wine blending 74% Walla Walla Valley Syrah with 26% Dundee Hills Pinot Noir. Awarded 95 points by Wine Advocate, this unconventional cuvée stands as one of Oregon's most distinctive and highest-regarded red blends.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.7%  |  Origin: Walla Walla Valley & Dundee Hills, Oregon  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Producer: Domaine Serene

Production & Heritage

Domaine Serene, founded in 1989 in Oregon's Dundee Hills, is widely recognized as one of the state's most ambitious wine estates. Grand Cheval was conceived as the winery's vision of an ideal steakhouse wine — a concept realized by marrying the weight and spice of Walla Walla Valley Syrah with the aromatic complexity and acidity of estate-grown Dundee Hills Pinot Noir. The 2018 vintage holds the blend at 74% Syrah and 26% Pinot Noir, a pairing so unusual in Oregon that critics have noted there is virtually nothing else like it on the market. This is reportedly the highest-priced Pinot Noir–Syrah blend produced in the state.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep ruby in the glass, the 2018 Grand Cheval opens slowly, revealing layers of black cherry, aniseed, and grilled meat. Extended time in the glass draws out darker notes of coffee bean, iron, and dried rosemary alongside a subtle lift of lavender.

Taste: The entry is ripe and juicy, led by blackberry preserve and dark plum. At mid-palate, mocha and black pepper emerge alongside mineral-laced fruit and a distinct note of scorched earth. An abundance of grainy tannins provides firm structure, while fresh acidity keeps the medium-bodied frame taut and focused.

Finish: Long and savory, with lingering iron minerality and a thread of coffee bitterness. The silky texture of the Pinot Noir component smooths the Syrah's grip, leaving a persistent, earthy close.

How to Drink Grand Cheval

Grand Cheval rewards patience — decant for at least 30 to 45 minutes before serving at cellar temperature (60–65°F) to let the aromatics fully unfold. It was designed as a food wine and is best enjoyed alongside rich dishes. A Classic Manhattan variation using a small pour as a float can showcase its dark fruit and spice. A Sangria Negra built around its blackberry and coffee tones makes an indulgent large-format serve. For a lighter pairing, try it with a Red Wine Spritz — the acidity and tannin hold up well with a splash of sparkling water and a citrus twist.

Best For

• Pairing with a dry-aged ribeye or celebratory steakhouse dinner
• Gifting a wine collector who values rare and unconventional Oregon reds
• Adding a conversation-starter bottle to a curated cellar
• Serving as the centerpiece wine at an intimate dinner party

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Grand Cheval taste like? Grand Cheval 2018 delivers concentrated blackberry, dark plum, and mocha flavors underpinned by iron minerality and black pepper. Grainy tannins and fresh acidity give it a structured, medium-bodied profile with a long, savory finish.

How does Grand Cheval compare to other Oregon Syrah blends? Grand Cheval occupies a category largely of its own — blending Walla Walla Syrah with Dundee Hills Pinot Noir is extremely uncommon, and it is reported to be the highest-priced wine of this blend type produced in Oregon. Critics have described it as unlike any other wine they have tasted, making direct comparisons difficult.

Is Grand Cheval good for sipping neat? Yes, Grand Cheval was conceived as a serious food wine but its silky texture, layered aromatics, and balanced acidity make it equally rewarding on its own after a proper decant of 30 to 45 minutes.

Where is Grand Cheval made? Grand Cheval is produced by Domaine Serene in Oregon, using Syrah grapes sourced from the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley and Pinot Noir grapes from the estate's vineyards in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley.

What foods pair well with Grand Cheval? Dry-aged steak is the flagship pairing, as the wine was specifically designed as a steakhouse wine. Braised short ribs complement the dark fruit and iron minerality. Grilled lamb chops echo the wine's herbal rosemary and lavender notes. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese mirror its earthy, savory depth. Dark chocolate desserts play well with the mocha and coffee tones on the finish.

What sizes does Grand Cheval come in? Domaine Serene Grand Cheval 2018 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Grand Cheval worth the price? Grand Cheval positions as an ultra-premium Oregon red, and its 95-point Wine Advocate score, unique varietal blend, and limited production support that tier. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking something genuinely original in the Oregon wine landscape, it represents a distinctive value proposition at its price point.

Why Grand Cheval?

The 2018 Grand Cheval earned 95 points from Wine Advocate — one of the strongest critical endorsements for an Oregon Syrah-Pinot Noir blend. What sets it apart is not just the score but the sheer originality of the concept: no other high-profile Oregon producer blends Walla Walla Syrah with Dundee Hills Pinot Noir in this manner. The result is a wine that carries the weight and savory depth of cool-climate Syrah alongside the silky aromatics and bright acidity of premium Pinot Noir. For anyone seeking an Oregon red that breaks convention while delivering serious structure and complexity, Grand Cheval stands in a category of one.