This Saturday we’ll be presenting some wines that speak to their origins.  They come to us from importer Eric Solomon who has developed a talent for finding unique and value packed wines. Such local varieties as Bobal,
Mencia and Listan Negro, talk loudly of their place. The wines speak for themselves and we think you’ll leave singing their praises.
 
2013 Conreria d ‘Scala Dei, Black Slate, la Morera Blanc $20
93% Garnatxa Blanca 7% Pedro Ximenes
From the highest altitude, coolest vineyards located in Priorat, the la Morera is left on its leas over winter, a technique that helps to impart a lovely creaminess to the wine.  The black slate has notes of orange blossom, citrus, crushed stone, and honeycomb, and a noteworthy richness on the palate.  
 
2011 Cuartro Passo Bierzo  $13
Mencía
100% Mencía elaborated from grapes chosen from the over 80-year-old vines from the slated lands located in the high areas of the Bierzo region.  The Cuatro Passo sees two months of oak and possesses many layers of flavor and complexity with notes of black plum and cherry, hints of tobacco, and a touch of bittersweet chocolate.
 
2012 Cherubino Valsangiacomo, Bobal de SanJuan  $12
Utiel Requena is a growing zone located within the province of Valencia where Bobal is the major native grape.  The Cherubino comes from 60 to 80-year-old vines, and is aged four months in concrete, leaving just the fruit to show through.  It shows blueberry and sweet and sour cherry fruit intermixed with notions of chalk and strawberries.
 
2012 Casa Castillo Monastrell  $12
From Jumilla, Casa Castillo’s Monastrell (100% Mourvedre) comes from old vines and ages six months in neutral French oak barrels.  The wine has “complex aromas of red berry liqueur, cherry pit and floral pastilles. Smooth, expansive black raspberry and cherry compote flavors are energized by tangy acidity. The floral note recurs on the finish, which features silky tannins and a late note of cracked pepper.”
 
2012 Suertes del Marques 7 Fuentes   $21
90% Listan Negro, 10% Tintilla (Trousseau)
From the Canary Islands, 7 Fuentes means 7 fountains and is a blend of several plots (Los Geranios, Los Pasitos, and El Montijo) in the Valle de la Orotava.  This is Suertes’ entry level red – they refer to it as their village wine.  The wine has Asian spice-accented red berries and white pepper on the nose.  Its juicy raspberry and bitter cherry flavors are underscored by a zesty mineral quality and subtle tannic grip.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.