This Saturday we’ll be showing off some new wines from France that we are very excited to pour.  Some are new arrivals to the shop and some are just new vintages but all are super wines that you won’t want to miss. The Silex is a fantastic white.  The Cave de Rasteau wines are great values. The Deux Albion is deep and rich, and the Terrebrune is classic.  Something for everybody.  Come join us.
 
2013 Domaine des Roy, Silex, Touraine  $13
Chenin & Pineau Menu
A unique Loire blend from Gabrielle Roy the current winemaker at Domaine des Roy.  This organic estate does everything by hand (from weeding to harvesting to winemaking) and it makes a difference.  The Silex has aromas of white fruit and mineral notes on a supple palate.  12% alcohol by volume.
 
2012 Cave de Rasteau, Cotes du Rhone Blanc $11
60% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 10% Bourboulenc
Cave de Rasteau, started in 1925, farms a large number of vineyards in the Rhone and makes a wide range of wines.  Their entry wines are a fantastic value.  The Blanc has aromas of citrus and white-fleshed fruit and notes of flowers, almonds and menthol in a nice structure both full and fresh. 13% alcohol by volume.
 
2012 Cave de Rasteau, Côtes du Rhône Rouge $11
70% Grenache, 20% Carignan, 10% Cinsault
The partner to the Blanc, the CDR Rouge has no Syrah and as a result ends up showing off its fruit more and has some lovely perfume notes. 
 
2012 Chateau Saint Cosme, Les Deux Albion, Côtes du Rhône Rouge $22
Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Clairette
Saint Cosme is a king pin in both the north and south Rhône.  The grapes for the Deux Albion are co-fermented and mostly (80%) aged in concrete vats.  Its fruit is full of terroir and is deep and textured with notes of ginger bread, smoked ham, violets, and blackberry.
 
2009 Domaine de Terrebrune, Bandol Rouge  $40
85% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache, 5% Cinsault
In 1963, Georges Delille bought what would become Domaine de Terrebrune, just east of Bandol, framed by the Mediterranean and the mountain called Gros Cerveau (Big Brain), dotted with olive groves and scenic views—an idyllic spot. Georges spent ten years just renovating the property; he terraced hillsides, refashioned the masonry, replanted the vineyards and built a new cellar. In 1980, his son Reynald joined him after finishing winemaking school, and together they launched their first bottled vintage of Domaine de Terrebrune, which Reynald named in honor of the rich, brown soils they farm.  The 2009 has aromas of dried fruits, black tea, mineral, black pepper, rose, violets, thyme, smoky bacon all vie discreetly for attention. The palate is pure pleasure, with very fine tannins, gorgeous acidity and intense and persistent fruit.  Aging potential 30 years.  Organic.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.