Oregon red blend (Pinot Noir and Syrah from Walla Walla) 2012 Domaine Serene Grand Cheval, $85. Launched more than a decade ago as a "steak wine" by the founders of this Pinot house. 2012 Domaine Serene Grand Cheval, $85. Mid-dark garnet, amber edges, viscous (14.7 alc.); red and black fruit nose, peppery, berries and wood (17 months oak aging, 67% new French oak); low-mid acids; softening tannins; long semi-chewy slightly hot finish. 16 UC Davis scale, 90 other scales.
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This is just an odd wine. It has some of the elegance of pinot noir and the syrah is more reminiscent of cabernet to me. This is a nice wine to pair with steak. While it was relatively robust, I feel that it may have lost liveliness. I wouldn't be surprised it it was better a couple years ago.
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Slo-oxed for 30 minutes. Color is a clean deep violet to a faded rim. Initial nose shows red fruits and a bit of that "Syrah funk". The medium bodied palate shows more red fruits, earth, and touches of smoke and spice, but with more acidity than needed to balance. Struck us as kind of being neither here, nor there -- way more than what we expect in a Pinot Noir; but way less than what we expect in a Syrah. Hard to say where it is in its development, or how long it may hold.
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Clear deep ruby/violet; clean medium plus nose of jammy blueberries, jammy cassis, leather, savoury herbs, graphite, vanilla and a hint of balsamic; dry; medium plus acidity; medium tannins; high alcohol; medium body; palate is tarter with addition of cocoa - not as interesting as nose; medium plus finish; drink now - it feels like it’s starting to fade; blend of Syrah and Pinot Noir - not as powerful a wine as the label would have us believe - although perhaps it’s mellowed with time
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A solid, tasty, blackberry and current hearty red more in the style of a sturdy Spanish rioja red with a meat pairing than an elegant Pinot Noir, but it won’t disappoint you...nice finish. It went well with ham for an Easter dinner.
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2/23/2023 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 90 Points
Oregon red blend (Pinot Noir and Syrah from Walla Walla) 2012 Domaine Serene Grand Cheval, $85. Launched more than a decade ago as a "steak wine" by the founders of this Pinot house. 2012 Domaine Serene Grand Cheval, $85. Mid-dark garnet, amber edges, viscous (14.7 alc.); red and black fruit nose, peppery, berries and wood (17 months oak aging, 67% new French oak); low-mid acids; softening tannins; long semi-chewy slightly hot finish. 16 UC Davis scale, 90 other scales.
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1/21/2023 - galewskj wrote: 89 Points
This is just an odd wine. It has some of the elegance of pinot noir and the syrah is more reminiscent of cabernet to me. This is a nice wine to pair with steak. While it was relatively robust, I feel that it may have lost liveliness. I wouldn't be surprised it it was better a couple years ago.
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10/22/2021 - VlgJeff wrote: 88 Points
Slo-oxed for 30 minutes. Color is a clean deep violet to a faded rim. Initial nose shows red fruits and a bit of that "Syrah funk". The medium bodied palate shows more red fruits, earth, and touches of smoke and spice, but with more acidity than needed to balance. Struck us as kind of being neither here, nor there -- way more than what we expect in a Pinot Noir; but way less than what we expect in a Syrah. Hard to say where it is in its development, or how long it may hold.
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7/4/2020 - Brent25 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Clear deep ruby/violet; clean medium plus nose of jammy blueberries, jammy cassis, leather, savoury herbs, graphite, vanilla and a hint of balsamic; dry; medium plus acidity; medium tannins; high alcohol; medium body; palate is tarter with addition of cocoa - not as interesting as nose; medium plus finish; drink now - it feels like it’s starting to fade; blend of Syrah and Pinot Noir - not as powerful a wine as the label would have us believe - although perhaps it’s mellowed with time
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4/12/2020 - Tricks Likes this wine: 93 Points
A solid, tasty, blackberry and current hearty red more in the style of a sturdy Spanish rioja red with a meat pairing than an elegant Pinot Noir, but it won’t disappoint you...nice finish. It went well with ham for an Easter dinner.
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