Join us Saturday as we frolic through the French country side quaffing vinous sips from France’s diverse regions.  We’ll be tasting wines from the villages of Jonqieux, Chablis, Bourgueil, Lirac, and Gigondas.  Kick up your heals and come join us.
 
2014 Eugene-Carrel, Jongieux Blanc $13
Jacquère
Carrel is a third generation family run vineyard & winery located in the village of Jongieux, the largest of the 17 appellations of the Savoie region. Situated at the start of the French Alps, Jongieux vineyards are on very steep, clay-limestone slopes carved out by ancient glaciers. Their southwest exposure provides 2-3 hours more sun daily, allowing the grapes to ripen more fully than in any other part of Savoie and produce fuller, fresher and more balanced wines. Jacquère wines have high acidity and a small amount of its natural CO2 is retained to enhance its freshness and vitality. The Carrel shows off a fruit essence of citrus and very ripe pears, followed by a floral overtone and a slight mineral note on the finish.
 
2015 Le Domaine d’Henri, Petit Chablis $20
Chardonnay
The Laroche family owned vines back as far as 1700 and started making wine in 1781. Their Petit Chablis, shows aromas of acacia mixed with lemon on a mineral driven base, presenting notes of peach and pear on the palate, with a well-balanced acidity and mineral, chalky notes that are the signature of Chablis.
 
2014 Domaine Le Pins, Bourgueil  $14
Cabernet Franc
Domaine les Pins has been a family-owned estate for 5 generations with 16 hectares in Bourgueil exclusively planted with Cabernet Franc.  They practice sustainable farming with respect to the environment.  A rich ruby red with notes of violets and red berry fruits, this Cabernet Franc is nicely layered on the palate with brightness running throughout and just a touch of smoke mixed in with some purple fruits. Soft waves of mineral with a nice soft tannin make this a true delight to drink.
 
2013 Domaine la Rocalière, Lirac  $17
34% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre, 33% Syrah
La Rocalière is a family estate with 32 ha of 30 year old certified organic vines in Lirac.  The wine has a dense purple color, with pure, dark fruit on the nose followed by deep, spicy, beautiful texture and structure on the palate.
 
2014 Moulin de La Gardette, Gigondas Tradition $28
80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Cinsault
Jean-Baptiste Meunier is the fifth-generation winemaker behind the great property of Moulin de la Gardette in the Rhone region of Gigondas.  Gigondas has more south facing slopes and higher elevations as well as varied soils that distinguish the region from some of its neighbors. The Tradition comes from vines averaging an age of 40 years. It is aged for about 18 months in mostly used barrique before bottling. The 2014 offers lots of cedary spice, dried red fruits and garrigue.  It is both rustic and charming with spicy tannins that add shape and 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.