Domaine Drouhin "Laurene" Estate Pinot Noir 2023
(Dundee Hills, Oregon) - [JS 97] [OB 96] [JD 95] [VM 94] [WS 93]

About the Wine: 
Named after Veronique Drouhin's elder daughter, Laurene is the winery's flagship wine, and is produced entirely from Pinot Noir grown on the family's estate in the Dundee Hills. All of the fruit is handpicked into small totes, destemmed, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and then placed into French oak barrels. Once the vintage is safely in the cellar, Véronique begins the process of selecting barrels which have an extra complexity, length, and depth — barrels which will work together as Laurène.

Vintage Notes:
In 2023, budbreak was unusually late, starting on April 30. Next came an unexpected heat surge and minimal rainfall, a lasting pattern which compressed the period from budbreak to bloom to less than 45 days (a record)! Our vineyards adapted well to these surprises, and when harvest started on September, the fruit looked great. Towards the end of the month, we saw some significant rains. The overall harvest concluded on October 5.

Tasting Notes:
Elegant and expressive, the 2023 Laurène opens with aromas of lilac, cardamom, and pitted cherries. The nose is lifted and complex, with floral notes giving way to a savory undercurrent. On the palate, layers of ripe summer berries unfold alongside subtle baking spices and crushed herbs, all held in graceful balance. The extended finish offers a glimpse into Laurène’s very promising future.

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points, Rank #11 Top 100 USA Wines 2025 - James Suckling:
"Rich, powerful and gorgeous, drenched in fruity, savory, mushroomy flavors on a full body and super-smooth tannins. It is deep in black cherry, blackcurrant, cedar and pine character that expands on the palate and lingers in the finish. Drink or hold."  (Mar 2025)

96 Points - Owen Bargreen:
"A world-class bottling, the 2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir is a block selection wine that was stored in mainly neutral oak before bottling. This wine was first crafted back in 1992. This is very seamless throughout the drinking experience. Blood orange zest combines with Bing cherry, black raspberry and stony essence. Complex and delicious, this has some seriously good aging potential. Drink 2025-2043."

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"A touch more saturated red in color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Laurène is deeper and more layered in the glass, with notes of pine, sage, ripe cherries, fresh leather, and pressed fl oral perfume. It has a refi ned and plush texture, with ripe tannins and elegant notes of dark earth. Drink 2025-2040."

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2023 Pinot Noir Laurène is darkly floral, with a coy mix of dusty lavender and violets complementing dried black cherries. A round and supple persona soothes as ripe wild berry fruits wash across a stream of cool-toned acidity. Stainingly long, the finish boasts a pleasant black-tea-like bitterness that tugs at the cheeks. Classic to the core. (Drink between 2025-2032)." - Eric Guido (Mar 2025)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Precise and vibrant, with sleek flavors of cherry and raspberry highlighted by stony mineral and black tea accents as this gathers richness toward refined tannins Drink now through 2034. 3,725 cases made. - Tim Fish (Sep 2025)