Stubbiolo is back. A favorite everyday Nebbiolo has returned. We’ll be tasting it today if you want to get reacquainted. On Saturday we are pouring two new wines from Anne Amie Vineyards. They are surprisingly good for the money. Sunday we’re tasting the everyday pinot from Burgundian wine maker Frederic Esmonin. Come out and enjoy the fall weather and try some new wines.

Friday –Don’t let his height fool you.

2022 Enzo Bartoli, Langhe Nebbiolo $22
Piedmonte
The grapes for Enzo Bartoli wines are sourced from local cooperatives which give smaller growers a chance to represent their home region on a global stage. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, the nose shows cherry and hints of violet together with spicy overtones. The palate is full-bodied with red fruit, and chewy tannins.

Saturday – Two fresh wines from the Willamette

2024 Anne Amie Vineyards, Estate Müller-Thurgau $18
Yamhill-Carlton
Crisp, fresh,and dry, this wine is a versatile match for mildly spicy foods like Thai, Creole, or Mexican.

2024 Anne Amie Vinyards, Passetoutgrain $25
65% Pinot Noir, 35% Gamay
Willamette Valley
Passetoutgrains, a French term meaning “all the berries go through,” reflects the traditional Burgundian blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay. This expression showcases bright red fruit, delicate spice, and a subtle mineral edge.

Sunday—Bargaindy

2022 Frederic Esmonin, Les Montvrieres $18
100% Pinot Noir
Les Montvrières is a classic Burgundy style Pinot Noir with bright red fruit notes of fresh cherry and strawberries. It is bright and smooth in the mouth with nice freshness and layers of flavor delivering excellent length on the palate.

Take a breather for the Mariners and Huskies this weekend and come with us for a taste of Italy. We’ll start off on Friday with a Montecucco. No that’s not a crazy mountain, it’s a DOC in Tuscany. It’s also a lot of fun to say. Saturday we head to Veneto, pouring one of our favorite Proseccos along with a fresh Covina from lake Garda. You can come have a taste still watch the games.

Friday — Montecucco Madness

2020 Lorenzo Sassetti, Montecucco Rosso $20
100% Sangiovese
Tuscany
The Montecucco appellation near the Tuscan coast enjoys plenty of warmth and sun to produce wines with a full texture. This wine shows notes of red fruits, dried herbs and walnuts with some earthy character. Medium-bodied with soft, juicy tannins and an aromatic finish.

Saturday — Two from Veneto

Jeio, Prosecco Brut $15
Glera
A fresh, lively Prosecco with aromas and flavors of fresh pineapple and creamy minerals. Abundant fizz, which neutralizes the palate for a second or two, before the balanced fruit and minerals return. Salty aftertaste.
11% alcohol by volume

2019 Brunelli, Corte Cariano, Corvina Monovitigno $22
100% Corvina Veronese
Verona
100% Corvina from the banks of Lake Garda. The wine has bright cherry and berry notes, balanced by a touch of spice and a smooth finish.

Sunday — come and see.

Hard to tell what the weather is going to be this weekend in Madrona. Maybe partly Cloudy, maybe partly Sunny, maybe even a drop of rain. But no matter what shows up we’ll be some good wines to get us in the mood for fall. Stop by the shop and have a sip.

Friday

2021 Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet, Collines Rhodaniennes Rouge $20
100% Syrah
Northern Rhone
This 100% Syrah is from 50-60 year old vines planted in previously classified Croze-Hermitage zone. It showcases a balanced, fruit-forward character with notes of dark and red fruits, a touch of herbs, and a good depth of flavor.

Saturday

2024 Ramatuelle, Tibouren Rosé $20
Cotes de Provence
Tibouren is a black-skinned grape variety grown in Provence and is mainly used for producing full-bodied rosé wines with an earthy bouquet. Notes of under ripe melon, citrus and slight notes of flowering herbs. Medium texture in the mouth with just enough acidity.

2021 De Boel France, Assiégés $20
50% Grencache, 40% Syrah, 10% Carrignan
Cotes du Rhone

From a young plot of biodynamically farmed vines in the Northern Rhone close to Saint Joseph. Aromas of violets, peonies, herbs, and black fruits lead to a dense yet quite supple mouth-feel, full of blackberries, fresh plum, and garrigue, packed with acidity and lengthy soft tannins.
Biodynamic

Was $26, Now $20

Sunday

2020 Esporão, Assobio Tinto $13
40% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 30% Tinta Roriz
Douro, Portugal
The wine offers a medium-to-full body and balanced acidity. Notes of black cherries, plums, and blackberries dominate, with subtle earthy undertones and hints of licorice. The tannins are smooth and well-integrated
Was $16, Now $13

Dave is off visiting relatives this weekend so Patrick and I are covering the shop. We’ll be pouring a selections of new arrivals with no theme in particular, but just fun to drink. Sorry Dave, you missed out.

Friday

2022 Hans Wirsching Sivaner Trocken $15
Franken, Germany
Aromas of citrus-kissed orchard and tropical fruits accented with a touch of fresh-cut herbs. The palate is rich, full and opulent offering flavors of Golden Delicious apple, yellow plum, and pineapple mixed with a hint of spice. A lovely balance of delicate acidity and chalk dust minerality gives those flavors the perfect runway to coast across towards an elegant and complex finish.
Was $30, Now $15

Saturday

2021 Domaine de Rochebin Bourgogne Blanc $18
100% Chardonnay
Burgundy, France
Elegant, smooth and dense with rich flavors of lemons, pears, and fresh citrus on the palate. Crisp minerality and stone-fruit nuances blend seamlessly with a hint of fleur de sel.
Was $26, Now $18

2022 Dichotomy Vineyards Erebus Red Blend $22
Yakima Valley
Spicy and savory notes shine through in Erebus, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sangiovese, and Nebbiolo. Harvested from our estate vineyards in the morning, open fermented, and aged for 12 months in French and American oak.

Sunday

2024 La Bollina Tinetta Monferrato Chiaretto $15
100% Nebbiolo
Piemonte
This Italian Rosé exudes aromas of white flowers and roses, strawberries and cherries, currants and peaches. This pure Nebbiolo Chiaretto is as fresh and crunchy on the palate as it is round and elegant.

One needs to do something as the planes screech overhead. We’ll be sipping wine. French wine. All weekend. Come join us.

Friday

2021 Château Roquegrave, Médoc $12
70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot
Bordeaux
A medium-bodied Bordeaux featuring aromas of juicy dark fruits like blackcurrant, blueberry, and mulberry, complemented by notes of anise and warm baking spices. The palate is supported by firm tannins that lead to a lingering finish.

Saturday

2023 Jean Marie Reverdy, Sancerre La Villaudiere $34
Sauvignon Blanc
Loire

The wine has notes of elderflower, gunflint, green apples, lemon zest, and a crushed sea shell characteristic. This Sancerre has a racy acidity that enlightens each flavor component and leaves your mouth watering for more.

2022 Domaine Fond Croze, Rasteau $22
80% Grenache 10% Syrah 10% Mourvèdre
Southern Rhone
An expressive, fresh style of Rasteau with well-defined blackberry and plum fruit, bright acidity and firm, muscular tannins. The finish is long and the alcohol doesn’t feel excessive. A touch of perfumed strawberry and cinnamon on the finish.

Sunday

2023 Domaine du Salvard, Cheverny Rosé $18
65% Pinot Noir, 35% Gamay
Loire
This Loire Valley rose is fresh and zippy. Made from Pinot Noir and Gamay, it bursts with wild strawberry, citrus zest, and a touch of minerality.

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.