Oh boy. Or shall we say oh Clandeboye… SOLD OUT as predicted.

As Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate said, these are “not cheap, but they certainly deliver on the quality front.”

But wait, they ARE cheap today! Like 24 bucks cheap, for 94 points again?!

This time it’s a single vineyard named Clonmacnois. The ideally situated Durant Vineyard appears on the hottest of labels out there, including Bergström, Cristom, and Patricia Green. The profile here is a tad more on the red fruit side, with similar knee-weakening oomph and depth. Exotic spices and candied cherries soak the taste buds up with joy. You’ll be wondering why you did not buy more.

Being Napa/Sonoma natives, we don’t get enough Washington or Oregon wines, which is sad. It’s also deflating to know you often need to play the waiting list game to get the good ones from up North.

And when you do, expect to pay up to get in the game.

But today, it’s different.

We have a very hip, 94-point offering from one of the best up North. Owen Roe showcases wines from two premier wine-growing regions: Washington’s Yakima Valley and Oregon’s Willamette Valley. If you’re hip to Pinot, you may already know them. If you want to be hip to Pinot, you should take home a few.

This too has a crazy complex and ever-changing flavor profile that’s fairly unique for a Pinot. Far from one-dimensional, and absolutely thrilling for our Carneros-Pinot-addled monkey brains. One thing that’s very easy to understand is the price. A smokin’ good value at $24 which is FAR removed from what it costs elsewhere.

We have very little of this one too and sell out it also will. That’s what Master Yoda would say.

94 Points – Wine Enthusiast

“This elegant and detailed Durant Vineyard selection is buoyed with citrusy acidity and hints of seashells. The tart raspberry fruit is focused and tight, with highlights of blood orange and pie cherry. The 40% new French oak is actually less evident than in some of the other cuvées; credit brighter acidity. This is an elegant wine with a nod to Burgundian style showing precision and aging potential over a decade and longer.”