93 POINTS - My personal favorite of the collection 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 depth, structure, and concentration, succulent fruit, impeccable balance, and a 60-second finish. It is a candidate for wine of the vintage in 2007. - Robert Parker’s The Wine advocate

VINEYARD
Grace Vineyard is one of the seven vineyards of the Evenstad Estate located atop the Dundee Hills of Oregon. This hillside bench vineyard is situated on an east facing slope, with elevations ranging from 540 to 650 feet. Planted in 1996 to Dijon clones 777 and 667 of Pinot Noir, prized for their intensity, powerful fruit, and early ripening.

CROP YIELD & AGING - 1.07 tons/acre. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels of which 92% were new.

VINTAGE NOTES
At Domaine Serene, we've always maintained that great wines begin with great vineyards. This was particularly true of the 2007 vintage, where a myriad of weather conditions and temperature changes made for a very challenging harvest. Yes, it rained, but as fastidious as Pinot Noir may be, a little rain is not a bad thing, especially in dry-farmed vineyards. Most importantly is to have strong, proactive vineyard practices and a sound, diligent winemaking team that maintains a level head and does not panic and pick early. 2007 was a cool, wet vintage and will answer all requests for lower alcohols. The wines are beautifully integrated and drinking much softer at an earlier age – that is to say these are beautifully nuanced wines that are enjoyable now.