Don’t be afraid. It may be Friday the 13th, the days are still getting shorter, the skies are gloomy. But the Solstice is coming! The days will soon be getting longer and there are a few holidays thrown in there just for good measure. In the mean time we’ll have some great wines open for tasting. Stop in this weekend.

Friday– Blaye all day

2022 Château les Donats, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux $18
100% Merlot
The wine has gentle tannins and rounded black fruits. With its blueberry aroma and fragrant fruits, this 100% Merlot is full and ready to drink.

Saturday — French favorites

Lelièvre, Leucquois Brut Rosé $20
Gamay
This is sparkling Gamay Noir, with bright red raspberry fruit, wild strawberry, rose water and a dry, herbal finish. Crushably tasty, and an extreme value for biodynamic pink fizz.
Organic

2019 Calvet, Crozes-Hermitage $26
100% Syrah
Rhône
This Cru Northern Rhône has a perfumed pepper spice and meaty aroma, with gamey complexity. Leading to complex notes of black fruits, garrigue, spices and cigar.

Sunday — Spanish Grenache

2020 Edetaria, Via Terra $16
Garnacha
An organic Red from Terra Alta, Edetària produces this 100% Grenacha Peluda, a typical variety of the region. Frank and supple on the attack, the wine is marked by notes of cherry and plum, as well as a spicy touch on the finish.
Organic

Warm up to the cold weather with some full reds this weekend. It’s December and there is lots going on so you’ll have a need for all of these. Don’t miss the bubbles on Sunday.

Friday

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.

Saturday

2020 Chateau La Caussade, Cadillac Cotes de Brodeaux $24
50% Merlot – 50% Cabernet Sauvignon

Aromas of small black fruits (blackcurrant, blackberries) and is extended with fine floral notes: peony, violet. Notes of spices and grilled. On the palate, the wine is delicate with a beautiful amplitude. The finish is balanced and silky

2021 Château Pegau, Cuvée Maclura Côtes du Rhône $22
60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault
The Maclura vineyard is less than 4 miles from Châteauneuf-du-Pape & named after the Orange trees “Maclura” that grow within the vineyard. Loaded with classic Côtes du Rhône fruit and spice, the wine retain the identity of Pegau. Aromas of cassis, blackberry, and spice, with soft, ripe, tannins on the palate.

Sunday

Vinicola Nulles, Adernats Cava Brut Nature $16
60% Macabeo, 30% Xarel-lo, 10% Parellada
A Pet Nat by any other name. This crisp, delicious Cava is chock full of apple and citrus with a honeyed, quince flavors going on underneath.
Organic

Take a little break from Black Friday week and stop by the shop for a taste of a 100% Carignan Côtes du Rhône from Domaine Fond Croze. It will take the pain out of all that online shopping.

Friday — Red is the new black.

2020 Domaine Fond Croze, Les Vieux Ceps $20
100% Carignan
Côtes du Rhône
Notes of elderberry, wild black berries, with spices that mixes with the bouquet. Lots of roundness on the palate and very fine tannins. We find aromas of ripe fruit berries with a spicy touch.

Saturday — Tasty Italian

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

2023 Ca del Baio Langhe, Nebbiolo $20
From younger vines, the Langhe neb is aged in stainless steel tanks for 4 months before bottling. The wine is fresh but still retains its Nebbiolo character with aromas of fragrant dried flowers, geraniums and slight fruity overtones reminiscent of raspberries. The taste is warm and soft with slightly tannic overtones.
Organic

Sunday — Zesty Greek

2023 Mylonas, Assyrtiko $20
Greece
This medium bodied white is bright and zesty and packed with citrus flavors. A nice vein of minerality keeps it fresh and lively.

It was an eventful night Thursday night in Madrona. Someone first smashed a window at the pub, then came across the street and shattered the front window of the shop. So even though we look all boarded up, we are still open and getting ready for Thanksgiving. Whether you are having the traditional meal this coming Thursday or some other delicious repast, we have the wine to make the day more festive. This weekend we are tasting just few wines that might be good pairings.

We will be closed Thanksgiving Day, but open again on Friday to help you out of your food coma.

Friday –a very different Chilean red.

Garage Wine Company Old Vine Field Blend $18
Cariñena, Garnacha, Monastrell, Cinsault, Pais
Chile
The Old-Vine Field Blend is made Solera style. Bright and vibrant on the palate, with rose petal aromas resonating through red and blue fruits, a variety of baking spices and a hint of turned earth and leather. Sustainable

Saturday — A tasty pair for the Loire.

2023 François Cazin Le Petit Chambord Cheverny Blanc $23
80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Chardonnay
The little-known appellation of Cheverny is located in the eastern part of the Loire Valley in France. This Blanc is fresh and floral, with appley-texture and crisp acidity. The flavors are sleek and precise. Sustainable

2022 François Cazin Le Petit Chambord Cheverny Rouge $23
75% Pinot Noir, 25% Gamay
This is your quintessential French Bistro wine. Vibrant with acidity and lively fruit aromas, juicy, no frills. Just a really tasty wine. Sustainable

Sunday — A rich and delicious crowd pleaser.

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.

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.