Saturday, we are heading to the other end of the globe and taking a tasting tour of South Africa.  Come see the variety of Franschhoek, Paarl, and Walker Bay.  Come take a Saturday Safari with us.
 
2015 Southern Right, Walker Bay, Sauvignon Blanc $17
Southern Right is a small Sauvignon Blanc specialist located on a strikingly beautiful 448-hectare property just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The wines are named after the rare Southern Right whales, which frequent the cool South Atlantic Walker Bay, 3 kms from the vineyards.  The wine is Juicy and well-built, with a solid core of lemon zest and pith notes stretching out through the finish, picking up gooseberry, jicama and verbena accents.
 
2015 Tormentoso, Paarl, Old Vine Cinsault $13
Cinsault has been grown in South Africa for many generations and blended with Cabernet and Shiraz to soften their tannins. Older, bush-vine vineyards planted without irrigation provide the grapes for this distinctive Cinsault, showing faint spice, cinnamon and red cherries on the nose, followed through by strawberries and cream on the palate. Its silky berry-fruit flavors are backed by earthy, cigar-box-aromas and soft oak tannins.
 
2014 Tormentoso, Paarl, Pinotage $13
Pinotage is the distinctly South African varietal.  This low-yielding, bush-vine vineyard gives Pinotage grapes with exceptionally concentrated flavor. The Tormentoso is a full-bodied Pinotage with hints of floral aromas and black cherries, followed by soft, rich tannins, along with plum and berry flavors.
 
2013 Chamonix, Franschhoek Rouge $20
35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot, 11% Malbec
The Chamounix Rouge shows a generous bouquet suggests black-currant, cedar with scents reminiscent of red berries, spices and vanilla. The wine is amply structured: full, round and smooth on the palate with rich fruit and length of flavor.
 
2014 Boekenhoutskloof, Franschhoek The Chocolate Block  $33
72% Syrah, 10% Grenache Noir, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cinsault, 1% Viognier
A South African smorgasbord, the Chocolate Block sources fruit from some of the best sites in South Africa.   The Syrah and Viognier comes from Malmesbury (Swartland) and is dry farmed to ensure it deep-rooted vines with concentrated flavor and tannin structure. The Grenache is sourced from Piekenierskloof (Citrusdal) with its very sandy soils and perfect terroir for ripening this grape varietal. The Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Franschhoek and the Cinsaut is from old bush vines on decomposed granite soils in Wellington. The 2014 is an exotic and vibrant vintage with an iron edge running alongside the inky core of prunes, mulberries, cloves and boasting floral notes. Bitter dark chocolate on the palate with cold soaked game, black fruit, hints of smoky minerality and oak spice.

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.