Chehalem Vineyards & Domaine Serene Tasting Review

Our beloved friends at Wolfe's held a great tasting for Chehalem and Domaine Serene. Here we are going to review the pinot noirs that we tried from Friday. The turnout was great and the wine flowed.

First off, we tried the Stoller Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 from Chehalem. Right off the bat, you get a good amount of earth on the nose. I also got beautiful perfume aromas. On the palate, I got crazy cherries. It had a good amount of acid and a long finish, I got some medicinal characters at the end. It was real balanced, but you can tell it needed some more time in the bottle. After all, it was only a 2007. Retails for about $50.50. Check Wolfe's for a better price.

Second in the crew, we got a Ridgecrest Pinot Noir 2007, also from Chehalem. On the nose, I got some smoke, dirt and light red fruits. This wine was a bit more balanced than the Stoller. The Ridgecrest also coats the palate better with a better showing of acidity and a beautiful long finish. This juice would love to stay in the bottle a bit, it will show in a couple of years.

After the Chehalem pinots, we moved on to Domaine Serene. The first one we tried, Yamhill Cuvee Pinot Noir 2007 was actually the same vintage and area from the previous two Chehalem's. It was nice to try different wines from the area. That being said, this wine was one of my favorites of the night. It seems like it was much more approachable at its age than the rest. The nose gave out raisins, roasted fruit, raspberry with a twist of orange peel. The palate was more soily, had Burgundian notes, beautiful strawberry acidity. It was balanced and fruity. retails for $37.

After that beauty, we moved to Domaine Serene's Evenstad 2006. The nose was full and lush with raspberry notes and cocoa. The palate had a cotton candy texture, more viscous, coats the palate nicely, beautiful long finish. This wine was a nice one and could use time in the bottle or be decanted and dranken sooner than later.

So that was my first wine review. I will be posting the Copain review in a few. Enjoy and email if you have any questions!

I ain't afraid of no gin!

(in a thick Scottish accent) "Hello there and welcome to Scotland, we're famous for our delicious GIN!"

I thought I heard wrong too. But, those smart Scots are dreaming up drams with something other than the whisky without the e!

From the website:

Hendrick’s is an iconoclastically produced small batch gin distilled in Ayrshire, Scotland. Our unusual distillation process combined with our oddly delicious set of infusions yields a one-of-a-kind gin that is passionately loved by a tiny yet growing handful of individuals all over the world. No other gin tastes like it because no other gin is made like it.

I first tried this gin with cucumber and rose petal hints at a bar with a slice of cucumber and tonic. I was completely smitten. This is a non-gin drinker drinker's gin. Did you get all that? It drinks smoothly with soft undertones of juniper that doesn't overwhelm the senses. To me one of the smoothest gins I have ever tried.

I feel like this gin is made with a new age twist. They are using different botanicals to stimulate the senses and introduce the non-gin drinker to the gin world. Drinkers do not be afraid to ask your bartender to make you a nice fresh dram with this delicious spirit. Bartenders, start making up cocktails, smell it, live it and put it on your menus. This is one gin that is going to stay.

This gin has attitude and a great website to go with it. William Grant & Sons have put a lot of effort to make sure this gin stands out above the rest. Check out the website and let it take you back to another world. Hendricks Gin Site

Quick Hendrick's recipe to get you started:

From the genius that is Alan Walter
Ingredients

1. 8 parsley leaves
2. 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
3. 3/4 ounce Simple Syrup
4. Ice cubes, plus crushed ice
5. 1 1/2 ounces gin
6. 1 ounce chilled club soda
7. 1 lime wheel

Directions

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the parsley with the lime juice and Simple Syrup. Add ice cubes and the gin and shake well. Strain into a crushed ice–filled collins glass. Stir in the club soda and garnish with the lime wheel.

Enjoy!