Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  And whether yours is the traditional menu or an eccentric set of courses, it is grand day to gather with friends, family and other good folk and revel in the richness of the season.  This Saturday we’ll be pouring some great choices to accompany your meal no matter the menu.  Come have a sip.
 
2014 Barons, Sauvignon Blanc  $15
From winemaker Matt Loso’s current project, the Barons edges towards the melon and ripe fig side of Sauvignon Blanc. It starts bright and crisp on the attack with a lemon verbena note, and turns rich and mouth filling on the mid-palate with flavors of citrus peel, kiwi and warm lemon tartlets.  It’s refreshing & mouthwatering.
 
2014 Quail’s Gate Chenin Blanc  $18
This Canadian Okanagan Valley winery has been at it on their estate for 25 years.  This year’s Chenin Blanc opens with aromatic white flowers intermingled with vivid citrus and tropical papaya. Dry and medium bodied on the palate, this wine has great texture and is typically bright and juicy with notes of gooseberries, lemon and zesty grapefruit.
 
2013 Evesham Wood, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir  $21
From one of our steady favoirite Oregon wineries, Evesham Wood harvests this WV Pinot from several dry-farmed and sustainably cultivated vineyards in Northern Willamette Valley. Grapes are harvested and sorted by hand, fermented in small lots, and aged in French oak (10% new) for 10 months before bottling. The winery describes the profile as “Bright and crunchy with cranberry, red cherry and cinnamon with a bit of firmness on finish.”
 
2006 Bodegas Riojanas, Monte Real Rioja Reserva   $20
Tempranillo
Bodegas Riojanas was founded in Rioja Alta in 1890, making it one of the oldest producers of this famous region. Rioja Alta is well known for its altitude and limestone-tinged soils, which gives the wines from the sometimes burly Tempranillo grape a lithe grace and a sense of minerality. This wine was aged for two and a half years in barrel before undergoing another year of aging in bottle, giving this lovely 2006 subtle depth and soft maturity. There’s a hint of earth and chocolate in the bouquet, along with black cherry, leather and vanilla. Lush, earthy dark plum, tobacco and cedar flavors are complemented by savory notes of leather and spice. Was $30 now $20
 
2013 The Seventy Five Wine Company, Cabernet Sauvignon  $21
Made by Tuck Beckstoffer out of St. Helena, the 75 has dense aromas of ripe burnt early season cherries and scorched earth, classic notes of sweet black cherry, cassis and black raspberry, beautifully integrated tannins and lingering finish.

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.