This Saturday we’re pouring some big wines from small producers from Ardeche, Chablis, Cahors, and the Rhône.  Start your Labor Day weekend out right by stocking up on these hard working Vins de France.  Let their labor help celebrate ours.
 
2016 Chateau de la Selve, Saint Regis  $15
Viognier
From low-yield, biodynamic vineyards in l’Ardeche, this Viognier is clean and fresh, with aromas of peach, citrus and a hint of mint, but it’s the fine minerality that really distinguishes the Saint Regis. 
 
2014 Domaine Seguinot, Chablis  $20
Seguinot is run by a father and his two daughters.  They produce their Chablis wines on about 15 hectares.  This is a bright, high acid, crisp, mineral driven white. The light calcareous clay soils impart floral, fresh and mineral aromas.
 
2016 Chateau de la Selve, Maguelonne Rosé  $14
40% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 20% Syrah
This organic and biodynamic rosé has a delicate, aromatic and fruity nose, with red and white fruit aromas and a flowery note.
 
2015 Domaine de Fages, Cahors  $15
85% Malbec, 15% Merlot
The Fages comes from 35-year-old vines that are farmed organically and certified biodynamic.  The plots are planted on 2 different kinds of soil: sandy and ferrous red clay and clay-limestone.  The blend combines the dark smooth fruity character of Malbec with chalk mineral notes from the limestone soil. 
 
2015 Duseigneur, La Chapelle, Côtes du Rhône $15
50% Grenache, 50% Syrah
Domaine Duseigneur is located on the left bank of the river Rhône, in the village of Châteauneuf du-Pape. The 70 acres of the Estate straddle the appellations of Châteauneuf du Pape, Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Laudun and Lirac.  Made naturally from low yield old Grenache and Syrah, its round and supple tannins fully express red fruit aromas and Provençal aromatics of lavender and white pepper.

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.