We’re looking towards a quite weekend here in Madrona, relaxing before the blue jets come crashing into town next week. While we savor the peace we have seafood on our mind. We’ll be pouring a trio of wine this weekend that pair well with fish. Fortunately East Anchor is right across the street.

Saturday – Love, Rocks and Oyster shells

2023 Love & Squalor, Mothershucker $20
36% Sauvignon Blanc, 32% Riesling, 21% Pinot Gris, 11% Chardonnay
Willamette Valley
A Lewis Carrol kind of wine that maybe, just maybe goes with oysters. The wine is a dry blend of three aromatic whites grown in volcanic basalt and sedimentary marine soils. The nose conjures a mix of salt and sand and coastal flowers, with texture and fruits coating the tongue.

2023 Cave du Château de Chénas, Coeur de Granit, Chénas $20
100% Gamay
You’ll never break this heart of stone. Plump black raspberry brushes up against red cherry and bruised alpine strawberry on the fragrant nose along with pomegranate and cranberry skin. The midpalate is juicy with chalky, mineral elements that lengthen and extend the taste that goes on and on.

Sunday – More Rocks

2023 La Genestiere, Les Gallets Rosé $16
20% Carignan, 20% Cinsault, 20% Clairette, 20% Grenache, 20% Syrah
A 5 grape rosé from the Languedoc that gives Provence a run for the money. Light body with dry, crisp flavors of citrus, peach, nectarine, and raspberry.

We’re looking towards a quite weekend here in Madrona, relaxing before the blue jets come crashing into town next week. While we savor the peace we have seafood on our mind. We’ll be pouring a trio of wine this weekend that pair well with fish. Fortunately East Anchor is right across the street.

Saturday – Love, Rocks and Oyster shells

2023 Love & Squalor, Mothershucker $20
36% Sauvignon Blanc, 32% Riesling, 21% Pinot Gris, 11% Chardonnay
Willamette Valley
A Lewis Carrol kind of wine that maybe, just maybe goes with oysters. The wine is a dry blend of three aromatic whites grown in volcanic basalt and sedimentary marine soils. The nose conjures a mix of salt and sand and coastal flowers, with texture and fruits coating the tongue.

2023 Cave du Château de Chénas, Coeur de Granit, Chénas $20
100% Gamay
You’ll never break this heart of stone. Plump black raspberry brushes up against red cherry and bruised alpine strawberry on the fragrant nose along with pomegranate and cranberry skin. The midpalate is juicy with chalky, mineral elements that lengthen and extend the taste that goes on and on.

Sunday – More Rocks

2023 La Genestiere, Les Gallets Rosé $16
20% Carignan, 20% Cinsault, 20% Clairette, 20% Grenache, 20% Syrah
A 5 grape rosé from the Languedoc that gives Provence a run for the money. Light body with dry, crisp flavors of citrus, peach, nectarine, and raspberry.

It’s a cozy weekend here in Madrona. We’re skipping the Capitol Hill Block Party (sorry Dave) and staying closer to home. Sticking close to home we’ll be tasting wines this Saturday from The Puget Sound Appellation. There are a lot of wineries in the Puget Sound area but most haul their grapes over from the east side of the state. Only a few grow their own grapes locally. Saturday we’ll be opening some wines from Skagit Crest Vineyard & Winery, a small family owned 3 acre vineyard located in Sedro Woolley, Washington overlooking the beautiful Skagit Valley. We recently tried these wine and had to bring them into the shop. We’ll be pouring them on Saturday and into Sunday as long as then samples last. So come early. We start out the weekend on Friday with a little Macedonian red (you can’t sit home all the time).

Friday –Macedonian Zin?

2018 Tikves, Vranec Special Selection $15
Vardar River Valley, Macedonia
Vranec is the principal indigenous red grape variety in Macedonia and an offspring of Kratosija (aka Zinfandel). With a tendency for darkly colored wines, bright blackberry, and blackcurrant flavors.

Saturday & Sunday – Straight from Sedro Woolley

2022 Skagit Crest Vineyard & Winery, Chardonnay $18
Puget Sound AVA
Fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, this chardonnay shows nothing but the fruit. Full and balance aromas of mixed fruits, flavors are a rounded blend of melons, peaches and pears with a distinctive, clean and lasting citrus finish.

2022 Skagit Crest Vineyard & Winery, Rosé of Pinot Noir $18
Puget Sound AVA
This stainless raised rosé is crisp and fresh. Pleasant aromas of Cherry fruit and spring blossoms with a touch of earthiness. Soft subtle flavors of cherry, goose berry and strawberry rolling into a subdued finish of berry fruit lingering on the palette.

2021 Skagit Crest Vineyard & Winery, Pinot Noir $30
Puget Sound AVA
Aged in neutral barrels, this local Pinot has aromas of dark berry fruit with dusty earth and bailed hay notes. Tastes of Bing and Pie Cherries and a hint of Elderberry. Finishes soft and supple but bright and refreshing.

It’s going to be a beautiful weekend here in Madrona and we have some beautiful wines to go with it. We have recently rediscovered Italian Chardonnay (fresh, unoaked with no malo) and it has become a new summer favorite. We also have two Italian reds ready if you are firing up the grill. And Monday is Bastille Day so we had to take a nod to France. Years ago the American Revolution helped inspire the French one. Maybe today the roles should be reversed. At least that is something to ponder while sipping a chilled rosé. Here’s what’s going on.

Friday

2022 La Gerla, Poggio gli Angeli $20
100% Sangiovese Grosso
Tuscany

A fresh Summer red you can put a slight chill on. The gil Angeli comes from younger organic vines in the Brunello zone, aged in Slavonian Botti for 4 months. Think of this as a baby Rosso di Montalcino, perfectly medium bodied with crushed red cherries and wild herbs. Organic

Saturday

2022 Cascina del Santuario, Langhe Chardonnay $16
Piedmont, Italy
Light straw-yellow with greenish undertones. Broad, intense with banana, pineapple, honey and caramel hints. Full, harmonic and slightly savory, with a pleasant finish.

2019 Gurrieri, Cerasuolo di Vittoria $21
60% Nero d’Avola, 40% Frappato
Sicily
Very aromatic on the nose, there is a bright red fruit quality that accompanies a pretty, floral note, yet a core of dark fruit and damp earth rings through as well. On the palate, there is a wonderful combination of body, freshness, fruit character, and earthy drive, counterbalanced on the palate with soft but noticeable tannins. Organic

Sunday —Get ready for Bastille Day

2024 Domaine de la Chapelle Saint Victor, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rosé $18
50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 20% Syrah
Provence
Crisp, bright and juicy. The palate is nicely dry with richness and good concentration to the tangy pit fruit and citrus notes. The finish is long with underlying salinity and mineral notes.

Happy Bastille Day — No Kings!

We managed to rummage through the new arrivals and came up with some interesting wines for the weekend. The sun may break out this afternoon and make you thirsty. Here’s what we are opening.

Saturday — Spain

2023 Pazo Cilleiro, Albariño $18
Rias Baixas
Pronounced notes of citrus and white fruit (pears, apples and white peaches), as well as floral hints. The palate is vibrant and fresh, with the fruit filling the mouth with a round, persistent and pleasantly refreshing finish.

2022 J. Palacios, Petalos Viñas Viejas $25
Mencia
Bierzo
From old hillside and hilltop vines from across Bierzo’s (Spain) western edge, this excellent example of Mecia shines. his is such a tight and beautiful red with dark berry, stone and limestone character. Medium body, focused and refined. Linear and very long finish. A standard bearer for the region.

Sunday –Turkey

2023 Kavaklidere, Cankaya White $20
35% Emir, 35% Narince, 30%Sultana
A Turkish white with a lot of character. Ripe white fruit aromas and citrus notes. Delicious with persistent fruit flavors, well balanced with its moderate acidity; long lasting.

We have divided attention here this weekend with one eye on the national stage and the other much closer to home with Dad. Don’t forget to include a glass of wine in the activities. Here’s what we’ll have open.

Friday – Get Natural

2023 Santa Julia, Bianco Natural $20

Torrontés

Mendoza

An Organic Torrontés that is a cut above a lot of others. Aromas of white fruits such us peaches, rose petals, jasmine and geraniums. At the finish, citrus aromas of lemon peel can be appreciated. Refreshing and bold acidity, with medium intensity and a long and citrusy finish. No Sulfites added.

Saturday – Two wines you won’t protest.

2022 Tenuta Principe Alberico, Appia Antica 400 $15
80% Semillon 20% Malvasia
Lazio
Complex, with notes of pear, citrus and exotic fruit. Dry, fresh and bright with the typical minerality of the territory.

2018 Uggiano, Roccialta Chianti Classico Riserva $20
90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo
Tuscany
This is quite aromatic, offering sweet wood, dark fruit–blackberry, blueberry, spiced cherry, plum–and cedar, all nicely integrated, with each sniff providing something more and different. The palate is equally integrated and complex. The fine tannins and moderate acidity are lovely, supporting and melding with the fruit.

Sunday – Rosés for Dad

2024 Terra Nostra, ‘Corse’ Rosé $18

100% Sciaccarellu

Corsica

Aromas of wild strawberries, citrus blossoms, and hints of exotic herbs. On the palate, crisp acidity and refreshing minerality, balanced by notes of red currants and a touch of Mediterranean herbs.

The weather is here and we’re getting geared up for the upcoming season before Juneuary come back. Catch it while you can. Fresh and Refreshing.

Friday

2022 Decugnano dei Barbi, Casapica Umbria Bianco $15
85% Vermentino, 15% Chardonnay
On the nose, this Italian White expresses itself with notes of peach and grapefruit and pleasant mineral notes. On the palate, it is fresh, elegant, and well-balanced.

Saturday

2023 Txakoli Primo, Zarautz Blanco $14
Hondarrabi Zuri
Basque
Txakoli is Spain’s answer to Vinho Verde, but drier and with a dash more spritz. This is a young and fruity wine of modest alcohol, balancing acidity, and medium carbonation. Pure, clean, racy, spritzy, and packed with truly mouth-watering acidity and lemon/lime freshness.

2024 Txakoli Primo, Zarautz Rosé $14
100% Hondarrabi Beltza
Basque

This wine has a limestone-dusted nose of white nectarine, orange zest, kumquat, freshly-sliced yellow apple and Alpine strawberry. Tart acidity on the palate leans into red fruit before returning to its acid core that tips its hat towards lively citrus.

Sunday

2022 Russo Taurasi,Donnaceleste $15
100% Fiano Di Avellino
Campania
Light, zesty, tart and dry with notes of lemon, summer melon, peach, almond, nutmeg and sage leaf.

It’s a busy weekend here in Madrona. Saturday is Mayfair with the Parade starting at 9:30 and ending with hotdogs in the playfield. It is also the Black Wall St. celebration at 23rd and Jackson with vendors, food, live entertainment from 1 to 7. And in the evening Epiphany is have a Stevie Wonder tribute concert. It’s a lot going on. In between it all you are going to need a glass of wine. Here’s what we are tasting this weekend.

Saturday

2021 Bruni Plinio $15
85% Vermentino, 15% Viogner
Toscana
Crisp and lively with flavors of lemon, green apple, citrus, white flowers, hints of Mediterranean herbs and a touch of minerality.

2021 David Sterza Valpolicella Ripasso $25
Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara
Super-clean aromas and flavors of ripe raspberries, together with perfumed-bark, dried citrus-peel and floral notes. Full-bodied with a solid structure of firm tannins over which the fruit glides with little hindrance.

Sunday

Toblar Pro Fondo Spumante $16
100% Glera
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Made in the Prosecco Colfondo style with yeast left in the bottle and made of 100% Glera grapes like a traditional prosecco, yet reflects the minerality and flavors of the Friuli region. White pear, melon and a nice crisp finish. 11.5% alcohol by volume

We’re passing the weekend with a bit of domestic bliss. We’ll be pouring a few wines for California and Washington to pass the time in the grey weather. Come try a Sonoma Chard, a Washington Red and a Brut Rosé that is just ducky. Great deals on all of them.

Saturday

2021 Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Chardonnay $28
This harmonious and well-balanced wine opens with light butter, toast and Bartlett pear aromas, then fills the mouth with rich pear and peach flavors accented by vanilla. A full body is nicely paired with good acidity, so the wine works fine as a cocktail or with lunch and dinner.
Was $40, Now $28

2022 Gilbert Cellars Left Bank Red Blend $20
66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 2% Carménère
Washington
This Columbia Valley red comes to life with a fleshy palate of dark fruit and subtle earthy notes. It is full-bodied, with lush tannins and bright fruit. A nose of black currant and eucalyptus is followed by a bursting palate of blackberry and cassis.

Sunday

NV Decoy Brut Rosé $20
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

California
Combining Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this Brut Rosé draws you in with aromas of Bing cherry, wild strawberry, candied lemon rind and graham cracker. On the palate, generous fruit flavors are framed by a lively balance between luxurious mousse and vibrant acidity.
Was $30, Now $20

May has arrived and it has started off with beautiful weather. We’ll be tasting some lovely wines this weekend to match the Spring weather. Saturday we’re tasting a pair of wines that show the heart of Burgundy, but without Burgundian pricing. Sunday we have a fresh and floral red from the Marche region of Italy. Come have a sip and see where the bouquet leads you.

Saturday – Burgundian Outliers

2021 Ventoura, Petit Chablis $24
Chardonnay
From 25 year old vines on clay-limestone, , this shows some intriguing aromas of white flowers with some light spice flavors intermingled with grapefruit and lemon. Nice weight and fleshiness with plenty of purity.

2022 Domaine de Chênepierre, Chenas Vieilles Vignes $18
Gamay
Super pretty, floral Beaujolais from a producer specializing in old-vine Chénas. This wine has a “warm” personality that includes fruit and spicy aromas. The palate is full and fleshy, with a great structured.

Sunday – Springtime red

2020 Marotti Campi, ‘Rubico’ Lacrima di Morro d’Alba $16
Marche
This varietal’s scents are evocative: wonderfully intense rose, cherry, bramble and citrus. Charming in its apparent simplicity, its succulent, balanced structure is pleasingly tannic and irresistible in the mouth. You can even put a chill on it.