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.

This weekend we’re taking a break from reading the headlines and instead heading to Spain. We have a newly arrived rosé and a pair of Tempranillos to test out. Stop by and have a sip. Sunday we have Patrick back in the house. Come see if he still remembers how to run the cash register.

Saturday

2024 Azul Y Garanza, Rosé $12 –1 liter
50% Garnacha 30% Tempranillo and 20% Merlot
Navarra
A Spanish Rosé just arrived with aromas of red fruits and floral notes. On the palate, you will find strawberry and rose hip flavors with a hint of blood orange. Clean, and crisp with excellent acidity – harmonious and persistent.
Organic,

Was $18 Now $12

2020 Pago del Cielo, Celeste Crianza $25
100% Tempranillo
Ribera del Duero, Spain
Some nice depth here with a mix of red and black berries and cherries. A hint of moss, sweet spices and dark earth. This is quite juicy and bright on the palate with tight, dusty tannins and a vibrant, lengthy finish. Structured and bright. Excellent balance here.

Sunday

2018 Palacio del Burgo, Rioja Tinto $14
100% Tempranillo
Intense fruity nose of blackberry and licorice over sweet mocha aromas. Vibrant with smooth tannins; long-lasting, powerful and smooth. An incredible Rioja value.

It is Easter this Sunday and 4/20 as well. It’s up to you to decide how to celebrate. In any case you’ll need some wine. What wine pairs with hard boiled eggs?

Saturday – Two Organic Rhônes

2020 Bois d’Arlène, La Comtesse Méditérranée $22
40% Vermentino, 40% Viognier, 20% Piquepoul
This Vallée du Rhône Blanc hits all the marks. It exhibits delicate florality at first with bright fruit notes of quince, golden apple and slightly overripe peach. Salt-laced ginger and baking spice round this out with a slight minerality provided by Piquepoul. Organic

2022 Olivier Pithon, Mon P’tit Pithon Rouge $21
34% Grenache, 33% Mourvedre, 33% Syrah
Côtes Catalanes
A chillable, thirst-quenching red, light-bodied, soft tannins, juicy and deliciously fruity with aromas and flavors of black cherry, tart cranberry, and a light tasty herbaceous finish. Organic

Sunday – Perfect for Easter dinner.

2023 Enrico Serafino, Grifo del Quatraro Gavi $22
Piedmonte
Fresh and clean, this Gavi evokes the essence of stone and salt rock. Vibrant notes of Key lime, tart kiwi and delicate jasmine unfold on the palate, creating a pretty and mouthwatering experience, leaving a lasting impression of purity and elegance.

Things are booming all over Madrona. And it looks like it might dry out enough for us to enjoy it. Get out and take a little walk down to the wine shop and check out what we are pouring.

Saturday

2019 San-Lurins, Malvasia Pet Nat $18
100% Malvasia
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
A lightly sparkling wine made according to ancestral method, with a salty and mineral profile, one that perfectly reminds the surprisingly nearby Adriatic Sea. This wine ferments spontaneously in bottle without being disgorged. Gastronomic and rustic. Organic

2021 Ronchi di Pietro, Refosco Dal Peduncolo $15
Friuli Colli Orientali
A rustic Northern Italian red with deep aromas of dark berry fruits accented with notes of anise and sandalwood. The palate is full-bodied and packed with ripe plum and blackberry flavors marked with a hint of bittersweet chocolate. Firm, full-bodied, dry, slightly tannic and pleasantly bitter.
Was $20, Now $15

Sunday

2023 Thierry Delaunay, Le Grand Ballon $16
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Loire Valley
This is a satisfying, floral-led Sauvignon Blanc. The wine offers layered aromas of white nectarine, bruised crabapple and crushed stones. Honeysuckle plays with chamomile on the midpalate and naps under orange blossom on the finish.

Here’s what we are pouring this weekend.

Saturday—Sellas Winery

Athanasios Sellas’ father started cultivating vines in Nemea in the 1950’s. When Athanasios took over the land in 2000, he decided to invest in a winery and start their own line of estate wines. The estate has 8 hectares of private vineyards, and then they contract with 15 other producers around for additional grapes.

The family’s favorite varietal is Agiorgitiko, but they also grow Savvatiano, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Roditis, Moschofilero, Malagouzia and Assyrtiko. Their wines are certified organic, vegan, and lower alcohol.

2023 Sellas Winery, Rizes Dry White $14
60% Assyrtikp, 40% Roditis
Nemea
A blend of Assyrtiko & Roditis. Nose is full of white flowers with pears in the background. Flavors are soft, light. Beautiful flavors of honeydew melon, pears and firm, flavorful peaches. Nice, dry, citrusy, kind of earthy finish.
Organic 12% alcohol by volume

2023 Sellas Winery Rizes Rosé $14
Agiorgitiko, Moschofilero
Nemea
A pretty rosé with aromas of roses and cherry. A sunny Aegean porch pounder.
Organic 11.5% alcohol by volume

2023 Sellas Winery Rizes Red $14
100% Agiorgitiko
Nemea
A lighter version of Agiorgitiko, this St George has exciting red fruits on the nose. Raspberries (red & black), red plums, red cherries. Great acidity. Light & fresh.
Organic 12.5% alcohol by volume

Sunday – Fresh Frapatto

2022 Barone di Bernaj Frappato $15
100% Frappato
Sicily
Fresh herbs, vibrant cherry, and black pepper aromas on the nose complement a palate bursting with ripe red fruit, gravelly minerality, and lovely floral notes. Very fine tannins and a refreshing, bright acidity make this an excellent red to put a slight chill on.