2016 Domaine Serene, ‘Monogram’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Oregon
Our vision of the “perfect” Pinot Noir, this powerful yet elegant wine delivers a distinctly layered aroma profile with intriguing nuances of dark fruit, licorice, anise, mocha and cedar. The robust and complex palate is framed by firm, elegant tannins, rich and mouth-filling flavors and an extraordinarily persistent finish. A truly age-worthy wine, Monogram is an extremely limited production, featuring three or four of the finest hand-selected barrels from the vintage.
This sophisticated release is the quintessence of harnessed energy. Intensity and power are present in equal measure with nuance and elegance. Mouthwatering fruit reminiscent of ripe black Morello cherries is supported by firm tannins and a touch of barrel spice.
97 points James Suckling
96 points International Wine Report
96 points Owen Bargreen
96 points Wine Enthusiast
"... A stunning new Oregon Pinot Noir that is up there with the best of its kind. A barrel selection of the choicest Pinot Noir lots for Domaine Serene, this opens with wonderfully flinty terroir with bright orange rind and pomegranate seed, alongside shades of sour kirsch on this evocative bouquet. The palate is wonderfully seamless, as this has incredible length and texture. Bright Mandarin orange zest, cran-pomegranate, red cherry candy and damp earth terroir all sing in unison on the palate. This is quite simply a complete Pinot Noir that has it all. Wonderful to savor in its youth, give this at least a one hour decant if enjoying over the next several years. Drink 2022-2040." -Owen Bargreen