“…wonderful tension…” – Owen Bargreen

We feel it too, Owen, sound the alarms! DWL returns! Once again, tipping near 70% OFF and this time with a score.

Dundee Wine Library, DWL as we call it, perhaps needs little introduction at this point. Last year, y’all went on a Constantinople-like raid of our stash and took hundreds of cases home for safekeeping.

Well, little did you know - that was actually our second pick. We originally tried to get THIS, the 2019 of the same wine. Both vintages were excellent. But the ‘19 had a slight edge. Bad intel led us to believe they were out of it…

And then we heard back. Some magically turned up forgotten behind a roll-up door. And that means time to rise up like the vinous crusaders you are and lay waste to what remains of this second coming.

This bespoke project comes out of the core of the Willamette Valley and is the brainchild of Henry and Araminta Miller. And avid readers and wine enthusiasts may already know about it. But for the rest of us, here’s the inside scoop.

After years of visiting the Valley while living in Portland, Oregon, the Millers took the leap into vineyard ownership, winery management, and full-time hospitality. With Thibaud Mandet now on board and a new tasting room in downtown McMinnville, DWL is primed to storm the stage. And YOU have a chance to stock your cellar with one of their best efforts at a price that’s disconnected from reality.

If you don’t know the brilliance of Thibaud Mandet yet, you should. Bordeaux-born and trained, he’s passionate about one grape in particular. Pinot Noir. He turned loose countless high-scoring Pinots at Willakenzie for more than 16 years. As the awards and acclaim stacked up there, the prices headed higher. Getting this for $25?! Madness!

DWL is still under the radar, but our favorite Northwest critical expert, Owen Bargreen, has given many favorable scores to this winery over the years, with this one pulling 92 points.

Their ‘Pugilist’ bottling pulls no punches and shows why Willamette Valley SHINES for Pinot. Pumped full of ripe red fruits, with raspberry liqueur and Amarena cherries, plus cola, forest floor, bay leaf, a dusting of cardamom, and a kiss of apple skin, all framed by soft, sexy, silky tannins, perfectly balanced, terrific mouthfeel. Will cruise another decade in age easily. Off the meter deliciousness for the price, for real.

But small production means there is only so much!! The gates are open, so take what you may!

92 Points – Owen Bargreen “This offering from 2019 comes from the Hyland Vineyard, utilizing some old vine Pinot Noir. This comes off very fresh with wonderful tension that runs through the vein of tart cranberry and dark raspberry flavors, with hints of wild mushroom. Enjoy now and over the next eight-plus years. Drink 2023-2031.”