Domaine Drouhin Oregon was established in 1987 in the Dundee Hills of Oregon. It was a pioneering benchmark by 140-year-old Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune. It’s a family affair with fourth generation Veronique Drouhin as winemaker and her brother Philippe overseeing the vineyards in Burgundy and Oregon. Their first vintage was 1988 from purchased grapes and was a widely acclaimed eye opener to French “savoir faire”. 1992 was the first vintage with all estate Pinot Noir and 1996 was the first estate Chardonnay. Today 130 acres are under vine with a new acquisition, Roserock Vineyards in Eola-Amity Hills.

Named for Veronique’s eldest daughter, Laurene is their flagship wine first produced in her birth year 1992 from a selection of barrels with extra complexity, length, and depth. It was also the birth of the winery’s first Pinot Noir vintage with their own estate fruit. 2018 was an exceptional vintage, without extremes, and a perfect harvest. Beautifully perfumed red and dark cherries with subtle notes of toast and earth fill the glass. The aromas follow through to uplifted and layered flavors in a long satisfying finish. Still tasted fine on days 2 and 3, showing great aging potential if you have the discipline to wait.

By Michael Yang