This Sunday we’ll be sampling a youngin’ and one with a little more age on it, both from France, both red, both lower in alcohol content that their American cousins.

2013 Domaine Montrose     ($12)
35% Merlot, 35% Syrah, 30% Grenache
Domaine Montrose is a family wine estate founded in 1701 when the “Three Lizards” coat of arms was given to our ancestor. Montrose is located in the Languedoc region of Southern France. A juicy red from the Côtes de Tongue, that coats the tongue. Full of red fruit, black currant, and cocoa. Sustainable. 12.5% alcohol by volume

2009 Château Bellegrave Medoc    ($11)
40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot
With flavors of wood aging as well as sweet tannins, this is a concentrated and richly fruity wine. It has the ripe fruit of 2009, sweet berries, the tannins cushioned within the softness. A great value. 13% alcohol by volume

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.