The days are short, the nights are long and the Solstice is upon us. It is a good time for rich, full bodied wines that will keep the dark at bay. This Saturday we’re pouring a full line up of Big Bold Wines to help survive the dark and celebrate the return of the light. Join us.
Gruet, Blanc de Noir $16
Pinot Noir
From the town of Truth or Consequence, New Mexico comes this American classic. The Blanc de Noir is made Méthode Champenoise & aged for a minimum of two-years. It has berry aromas with toasty notes, a creamy texture and an explosive juicy flavor of raspberry.
2013 Baer Shard $20
Chardonnay
Baer makes full bodied Washington wines from their Woodinville winery including their Shard from the Stillwater Creek vineyard. The 2013 was whole-cluster pressed and fermented and aged in 75-gallon stainless steel barrels, sur lie, with no oak contact and no malolactic fermentation. The result is refreshing and bright with notes of crisp Golden Delicious apple and Bosc pear, punctuated by zesty lemon rind.
2011 Bodegas Caro, Amancaya Gran Reserva $20
70% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
From Domaines Barons de Rothschild and Catena family, Amancaya presents a harmonious balance between the Argentine and Bordeaux styles. The word Amacaya is the native Indian name of a flower found at high altitudes in the Andes in the Mendoza area. The wine ages 12 months in oak barrels (20% new). It shows inviting aromas of dark berry, and cassis with a streak of eucalyptus and sweet spices. The wine is full-bodied with a mouth-filling richness with enough acidity to support the ripeness.
2012 Underground Wine Project, Devil’s Playground. $33
90% Cabernet Sauvignon 10% Syrah
A collaboration between Mark Ryan Winery and Sleight of Hand Cellars, the Devil’s Playground is big and bold, with full bodied, chewy tannins, while still retaining a silky smoothness. A hedonistic, pure pleasure style with 100% new oak & 24 months aging.
2008 Real Companhia Velha, Royal Oporto Late Bottle Vintage $21
On the 10th September 1756, The Real Companhia Velha was founded by Royal Charter of The King D. José I. Formed by the most important farmers of the Upper Douro and the Good Men of the City of Oporto, the Company was entrusted with the task of “sustaining the cultivation of vines, conserving the production of them in their natural pureness, in benefit of Agriculture, Trade and Public Health.. In 1781 the Company presented its Portos to the Imperial lips of Catherine of Russia, through large shipments freighted for the purpose. Today, 233 years later, their LVB can grace your lips. Sweet black compote spiked with shavings of black peppercorn make this a complex Late Bottled Port with approachable tannins and an herbal, eucalyptus edge.
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.