It’s a wet weekend here in Madrona and we won’t see much of the sun even on those dwindling hours when it is supposedly daylight.  Here at the wine shop we are hunkering down and stocking up on rich dark reds to warm our spirits.  Next week brings Halloween and Daylight Savings (misnomer).  Better stock up.

Friday – To the Stars

2022 Nittardi, Ad Astra Maremma Toscana  $24
50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot
Tuscany,
Red fruit character of plums and berries and with a hint of licorice and notes of spiced cedar, dried citrus peel and walnuts. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm tannins.

Saturday – Washington Classics

2021 Owen Roe, Sinister Hand  $25
44% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre, 14% Cinsaut
Sinister Hand displays spicy, dark, and savory characteristics. The exuberant nose has raspberry aromas with a hint of vanilla, while the lively palate has a soft juicy texture and a well-balanced acidity. Chewy tannins, black cherry, and a hint of toasty French oak round out the vibrant finish.

2022 Pomum, Estate Red Wine  $24
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec
Yakima Valley
This wine shows aromas and flavors of blackberries and currants as well as dried herbs and green olives, with spicy elements, too. Full-bodied with sleek tannins and fresh acidity.

Sunday – How friendly can you get?

2023 Barone Montella, Primitivo Salento  $12
A smooth, juicy Salento red made from Zinfandel’s back home cousin.  Fruity with hints of blackberries and small dark fruits, spiced notes, and a harmonious, elegant flavor.

It looks a bit damp this weekend here in Madrona, but we aren’t going to let that dampen our spirits.  We’re pouring some tasty little wines to beat back the drizzle.  Come join us.

Friday – Macedon Miscellany

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 – Oregon Originals

2023 Abacela, Albariño  $20
Albariño is a delicate Spanish white grape that grows well in Southern Oregon where it produces an assertive, dry wine characterized by beautiful floral aromas and fruity flavors that finishes with refreshing acidity.

2023 Evesham Wood, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir  $28
Vineyards that Evesham Wood has been working with for decades make up the bulk of the blend.  The WV blend shows a bright nose with cherry, red apple, fresh flowers, and a touch of loam along with a textural creamy/silkiness component that’s balanced by juicy acid.

Sunday –Big & Juicy

2019 Gérard Bertrand, Heresie Corbières  $20
50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre
Southern France
The nose is beautifully complex, with notes of red fruits and spices. The Syrah brings the aromas of fruits and spices, the Mourvèdre the notes of licorice. The palate is balanced with great freshness and velvety tannins.

From Baseball to Fondue, we’ll be tasting wines this weekend, looking for the ones that knock it out of the ballpark.  Come taste these heavy hitters.

Friday – Non-Beaujolais Gamay

2022 Jean-Francois Merieau, Les Bois Jacou  $22
100% Gamay
Loire
Jean-François makes an excellent example of Touraine Gamay, more high-pitched and mineral than Beaujolais and satisfying to drink slightly chilled.

Saturday –A pair from Bertrand

2024 Gerard Bertrand, Mediterranee la Grande Bleue  $22
35% Rolle, 20% Grenache Blanc, 15% Viognier, 15% Chardonnay, 15% Sauvignon
Provence
The bouquet is complex and fresh, opening with aromas of white-fleshed fruit, complemented by citrusy notes of lemon and grapefruit and floral touches of white flowers and hawthorn.  On the palate, it is lively and refreshing, with a marked minerality that reflects the influence of the sea.

2023 Gerard Bertrand, Vents & Garrigue Rouge  $22
60% Grenache, 30% Syrah
Languedoc
Aromas of blackberry, plum, and herbs; palate of dark fruit, olive, spice, and garrigue; smooth tannins with a balanced finish.

Sunday –Say cheese. 

2020 Les Rocailles, Apremont  $12
Jacquerre
Savoie
Delicate and light, it offers green apple and floral aromas on the nose. On the palate, it is dry and extremely refreshing, with crystal clear purity. Fondue is due.
Was $18 Now $12

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.