We are getting geared up for Thanksgiving. (It’s one of our favorite holidays, something to do with the focus on eating and drinking.). This coming week we are going to be tasting a variety of wine to match up with the big meal. We’re starting off this Tuesday with a tasty and affordable Beaujolais. If you ar having a crowd over, this one won’t break the bank.

2021 Trenel, Beaujolais Villages $15
100% Gamay Noir
The Trenel is dominated by red fruits, such as strawberry and red currant, mingled with floral notes of rose and peony. It’s finely structured in the mouth, with smooth tannins. It’s a bright wine with long-lasting aromas.

It’s been a damp week here in Madrona, but it loks like we might get a little break to shake out the raincoats before we start getting geared up for Thanksgiving festivities. Until then we are hanging out and sipping some fresh arrivals at the shop. We don’t want our whistles to dry out.

Before we tell you what we are tasting we’d like to announce local Chocolates that we have just picked up.

New to the shop

Figus & Cortés Chocolate Flights     $8
Small batch chocolate, hand crafted from bean to bar, in Beacon Hill.

Each flavor is sourced from distinct regions.

Here’s what we are tasting this weekend:

Friday – Crisp Sud-Quest white

2022 Domaine Chiroulet, Java $12
50%Colombard, 25%Sauvignon, 25%Ugni-blanc
Côtes de Gascogne.
A lively aroma of green apple, boxwood and lime. Starts fresh and smooth and ends fragrant, with a slightly tart and clean aftertaste.

Saturday – Singular Spanish

2023 Bodegas Pirineos, Orange $15
85% Macabeo, 15% Gewurztraminer
Pirineos Orange, from Somontano, is a coppery yellow hue because it is fermented in contact with its skins. Aromas of candied orange, citrus fruits, and quince with good acidity. Creamy with a lot of flavor and significant structure.

2023 Bodegas Pirineos, Principio Moristel $15
Moristel
A lighter Spanish wine. A crunchy, red cherry and rhubarb scented red made from the Moristel variety which is indigenous to the Somontano region of the Pyrenees. Fresh and vivacious on the palate with a pleasant earthiness and cranberry acidity.

Sunday – Discount Washington Cabernet

2020 Nathan Gray, Cabernet Sauvignon $10
Columbia Valley
Aromas of black cherries and other dark fruits. Rich and full, with a chocolaty velvet smoothness on the palate.
Was $17, Now $10

Sunday is Daylight Savings. What to do with that extra hour? After you have set back the clocks, set aside an hour of time later in the day to enjoy a glass of wine. But why wait for Sunday?

Friday

2021 Corte Medicea, Aros Toscana Rosso $16
50% Sangiovese, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tuscany
This half/half sangiovese cabernet blend typifies Toscana IGT (aka Supertuscan), with all the cherries and sandy tannins you’d expect, plus structure and blackcurrants from cabernet and a few good licks of chocolate and vanilla from judicious oak use.

Saturday

2022 Planeta, La Segreta Grillo $15
100% Grillo
Sicily
After a first dash of a sea breeze, there are primary varietal aromas of citrus, pears and oregano. Fresh and smooth on the palate, with the fresh and elegant taste of lemon tart and pulp.

2021 Campo Maccione, Morellino Di Scansano $20
90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tuscany
The nose opens with mushrooms and soil and woodsy, umami aromas. Vanilla and cherry eventually join, appearing again on the palate, along with more berries and the metallic tang of more iron-rich soil underlined by abundant acidity and angular tannins.
Was $28, now $20

Sunday

2021 Cartuxa Évora, Colheita Branco $15
Antão Vaz, Arinto, and Roupeiro
Alentejo, Portugal
Scents of dried flowers and spices complemented by notes of ripe pear and almond. Smooth and balanced velvety flavor, with a fruity finish.
Was $25, now $15

Halloween is next Thursday and there will be lots of tiny Ghouls, Ghosts, Goblins mixed the Super Heroes and other characters trick or treating all the businesses in Madrona. Stop by from 4 to 6 and say boo. In the meantime, we’ll be adjusting to the crisp weather sipping some wine from France and Spain and avoiding the really scary things out there. Here’s the lineup.

Friday

2021 Mancey, Mâcon $10
100% Chardonnay
A citrusy, white stone fruit and lemongrass “stainless steel Chardonnay.” Aromas of white flowers and dried fruit typical of the grape variety. The wine is fresh and lively then soft and round.

Saturday

2022 Rippa Dorii, Verdejo $13
100% Verdejo
Rueda, Spain
Aromas of stone fruit backed by fennel and mountain herbs. The palate is complex with ripe citrus and white peach notes, bright balancing acidity, and a broad, textured mouthfeel – long and lightly saline on the finish.

2016 Bodegas LAN, Vina Lanciano Reserva $25
Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo
Rioja
This medium to full bodied red shows macerated black raspberry and mandarin orange peel flavors accented by rich hints of mocha, dried fig and violet. Fresh and well-knit, with the sculpted tannins and deep minerally notes of smoke and iron emerging on the finish.

Sunday

2021 Fernand & Fils, Coteaux du Giennois, Sauvignon Blanc $15
Loire Valley
Coteaux du Giennois borders Sancerre. Fruity bouquet with plenty of peach, apricot, and melon. More stone fruit flavors on the nicely textured palate, with an overlay of quince and lots of minerality from the terroir. This wine represents value, with brilliant Sauvignon Blanc raciness and character.

We are staying close to home this weekend as the rain blows in. and we’ll be tasting a few things from up and down the west coast to keep our spirits and wits dry. We have 2 very different Washington Reds, a Californian Sparkler, an a rich Oregon white. Grab your umbrella and swing by and give them a try.

Friday

2022 Watermill Chances R, Red Blend $15
Columbia Valley
A kitchen sink assemblage. Bright and fruity on both the nose and the palate. Red and black fruit blend with brown sugar and baking spices to make an infinitely drinkable wine. Watermill wines are hand picked late in seasons for maximum ripeness.

Saturday

NV Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Sparkling $18
96% Chenin Blanc, 4% Viognier
California
A captivating bouquet of green apple, pear, and zesty citrus notes like lemon and grapefruit, all complemented by subtle hints of white flowers and a touch of minerality.

2022 Darby Winery “Purple Haze” Red Blend $20
Cab. Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah
Columbia Valley
This red blend shows off its depth with notes of dark fruit such as blackberry, blueberry and dark cherry, as well as a hint of plum and pomegranate all leading to an earthy mineral driven finish.

Sunday

2022 Ovum Wines ‘Old Love’ White Blend $20
Aligoté, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Early Muscat, Albarino, Roussanne, Pinot Blanc
Oregon
A dry, white blend with aromas of fresh cut blood orange, salty lemon and aloe. A racy, texturally rich wine. Organic

In October 2011 we first opened the doors at Madrona Wine Merchants. Thirteen years later we are still at it — looking for wines that taste better than their cost and sharing them with all of you. This weekend we have a diverse selection of wines to taste. but they all drink way above their dollars.

Friday

2022 Raimund Prüm Solitär Riesling Trocken (Dry) $15
100% Riesling
Mosel, Germany
Struck by tangs of lime and lemon, this dry white offers mouthwatering pear and apple flavors with a stony, mineral finish. And a mere 11.5% alcohol by volume.

Saturday

2021 Tahbilk Viognier $14
100% Viognier
Australia
A rich Auzzie white. Rose petal, ginger spice and apricot aromas. The palate is all about ripe stone fruits, bright citrus notes, more spice, and acidity to wrap it all up.

2020 Château La Gabarre Bordeaux Supérieur $17
45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
This very fresh and fruity Bordeaux red offers violet notes, candied red

berry aromas, fresh tannins and a juicy taste of blackcurrant and blackberries.

Sunday

2021 Terra Rossa Rosso di Montalcino $15
100% Sangiovese
A good deal Tuscan Red. Raspberries, sour cherries and some sweet spices notes on the nose. Fresh, medium bodied, soft tannins.

Shake off those overnight showers and come try some rich wines from our favorite places.

Friday — Loire

2020 La Varenne, Chinon Tradition $20
Cabernet Franc
Fresh, juicy and delightful palate, with a rich texture and length already revealing the soft leather, black fruits and raciness of the tannins.

Was $25 Now $20

Saturday– Southern Italy

2022 Nord Est, Vermentino Di Sardegna $15
100% Vermentino
Sardinia,
With a bouquet of citrus, bitter almond, and florals, and a palate featuring salinity, citrus, and jasmine, this Vermentino DOC offers unbeatable value. Clean, crisp, and fresh from the island of Sardinia.

2013 Borgo di Colloredo, Aglianico $24
100% Aglianico
Molise
Fruity notes of blackberry and ripe plum, spices, chocolate and roasted coffee. Soft, velvety, round and sweetly tannic with notes of smoked wood and vanilla.

Sunday — Portugal

2018 Foral Dévora, Alentejo Tinto $13
Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Aragone
The bouquet offers scents of red and black cherries, red berries, rose petals, and a hint of creamy vanilla. Powerful and fruit-driven on the palate, juicy notes of blackberries, blackcurrants, loganberries and cherries burst forth. These are followed by subtler, darker notes of stewed plums, toasted almonds, earthy spices and vanilla and some dark brooding tannins.

Was $23, Now $13

The temperature has dropped to a pleasant Autumn crispness. It is time to break out the big reds to sip as we savor the earlier sunsets. Stop by the shop and savor the deals we come up with.

Madeira in a Box — All Weekend!

We picked up a few boxes of domestic Madeira and we’ll be pouring it for you to taste all weekend.

Opici Vineyards, Madeira 3 Liter Box $15
USA
Opici Madeira is a full, rich wine with an amber color and a hearty, ripe flavor. It is perfectly suited to creating demi-glace sauces and adds a burst of flavor to brown sauces, pork, and poultry gravy. But it also makes a tasting sipping wine while you cook or clean up the dishes. Keep it in the fridge and it will last quite a while. Was $30 Now $15

Friday —Argentinean lipsmaker

2022 Andeluna, 1300 Malbec $16
A high altitude Malbec with with hints of violets, mint, graphite and white pepper. Full-bodied and structured but smooth and supple, with ripe, silky tannins, lots of dark fruit and toasty nuance.

Saturday — Australian richness

2018 Tahbilk, GSM $16
37% Grenache, 33% Shiraz, 30% Mourvedre
Victoria, Australia
This Estate release presents lifted gamey and leathery aromatics that lead to a flavorsome palate of dark plum and berry fruits with licorice and spice notes.

Was $25 Now $16

2017 Tahbilk, Old Vine Cabernet / Shiraz $18
Victoria, Australia
Rustic charm in spades. An old school red done right. Scents of dark berries and ripe plums, cassis, Aussie bush and old campfire. Lovely stuff. The palate is rich and think, shaped with grippy, dusty tannins and finishes very long and palate staining, with more lingering, dusty spice.

Was $25 Now $18

Sunday — Delicious Duero

2020 Rippa Dorii, Ribera del Duero Crianza $18
100% Tempranillo
This complex wine boasts aromas of bramble fruit, vanilla, nutmeg and sweet spice. Its rich palate offers notes of blueberry and blackberry, complemented by ripe tannins and a long finish.

Was $25 Now $18

Sunday is the Equinox. Here at the wine chop we are savoring the fall days and adjusting to the earlier sunsets. We’ll be tasting a few wines to help us keep on an even keel. Come toast the new season.

Friday – time to try the new vintage

2022 Chateau Sainte Eulalie, Plaisir d’ Eulalie Minervois $18
Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan
Generous, ripe and full-flavored Languedoc red, ripe and fruity, round and plummy in a vintage where very low yields concentrated the wine.
Organic

Saturday – West Coast duo

2021 Kivelstadt, Wondering Pet Nat Rosé $15
Pinot Noir
From an innovative winery in Mendocino, the Wondering Pet Nat is completely delicious. Great bubble and great mouthfeel will kick off any celebration. Cranberry, strawberry, yeasty notes from the extended time on the lees. Palate has robust effervescence, but the acidity and minerality pull through on the finish.
Organic

2017 Brave Cellars, Road Not Taken Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $22
A classic Oregon pinot with bright red cherry, cranberry, underbrush, and allspice notes. Notes of raspberry and pomegranate and herbs with more touches of baking spices linger on the palate and through the finish.

Sunday – different and delicious

2023 Lone Birch, Yakima Valley Riesling $13
Lone Birch Riesling has abundant tropical aromatics. Fresh mandarin, apricot preserve, white peach, and candied pineapple aromas lead to a palate marked by bright acidity and flavors of peach, lemon curd, and a hint of honey, all enveloped in a floral bouquet.

It’s Friday the 13^th. But don’t be nervious. Throw a pinch of salt over your shoulder, Stay away from the black cats and stroll on down to the wine shop and see what we have open. Watch out for those cracks in the sidewalk. Hop right over them. Your mother will thank you.

Here’s what we got going this weekend:

Friday

2023 Mokoroa,Getariako Txakolina $16
85% Hondarrabi Zuri, 15% Chardonnay
This Txakoli wine boasts high acidity, salinity, and a minerality that gives it its refreshingly clean taste. White peach, green apple, citrus and white flowers lead to the fresh, tangy essence of the Basque coast.

Saturday

2022 Reverdy & Fils, ‘Charme de Loire’ Sauvignon Blanc $14
100% Sauvignon Blanc
The entry Sauv Blanc from a solid Sancerre producer. This wine offers a complex and elegant nose of white flowers and boxwood. The attack is fruity, the mouth balanced and fresh. A wine with elegance and Charme.

2015 Chateau Haut-Dina, Cotes de Castillon $16
50% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Franc.
Haut-Dina is a small, family-run property located in the Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux on the right bank of the Gironde river. The 2015 has plenty of firm tannins, it also has fine, ripe fruit. Rich blackberry flavors and smoky aromas dominate.

Sunday

2022 Château d’Or et de Gueules, Les Cimels $18
60% Syrah, 30% Carignan, 10% Grenache
Costières de Nîmes
A full and supple Southern French country wine with lots of juicy dark fruit, spicy black pepper and herbs de Provence.