This Saturday we are savoring some flavor packed wines from Rioja, Utiel-Requena, Ribera del Duero and Priorat.  These full-bodied wines fill the glass and the mouth with lingering pleasure.   Come have a taste.
 
2014 CVNE Monopole Bianco  $13
100% Viura.
CVNE’s reds have long been a standard in Rioja,  but there entry white is a great value.  All grapes come from the Rioja Alta, where higher altitudes and Atlantic influences make for a moderate climate which is ideal for producing wines of elegance and finesse. Soils are composed of iron-rich clay and limestone. This wine is aged in tank and bottled in January to preserve freshness and fruit. This white is fresh and bright with a firm backbone of crisp acidity that carries pear, McIntosh apple and verbena flavors and a juicy, floral finish.
 
2015 Vera de Estenas, Bobal $12
Founded in 1945 Vera de Estenas is situated at 800m elevation near the mouth of the Estenas river near the foot of the Sierra del Remedio Mountains in the heart of Utiel-Requena.  Summer brings scorching heat, but a cooling wind called the Solano brings relief, and nighttime temperatures can drop substantially due to the high elevation, helping to preserve acidity in the grapes.   This Bobal comes from 50 years old vines.  It shows a mix of bright black and red fruits, spice, and minerals.  The traditional pairing is Gazpacho Manchego, and Valencian paella made with rabbit or chicken, and snails.
 
2016 Pago de los Capellanes Ribera del Duero Joven Robles $17
Tempranillo
Pago de los Capellanes is located near the village of Pedrosa de Duero, deep in the heart of the Ribera del Duero region of Spain.   The Joven Roble is a oak aged young wine with strong black fruit, vanilla, coffee and spicy undertones.  Medium bodied, fresh and fruity. Light tannins, elegant and excellent acidity.
 
2013 Abadia Retueerta,  Sardon se Duero   $31
75% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah
This winemaker use to work for Vega Sicillia until he spun off on his own.  This Duero red has an intense, mature nose with mineral aromas that give way to black fruit, such as blackberry and blackcurrant. The wine has hints of licorice, redcurrant and cherries in liqueur on a backdrop of dark chocolate.
 
2014 Clos Figueras,  Serras del Priorat  $25
Garnacha, Cariñena, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
Located on the schistuous slopes of Gratallops, a terroir responsible for the finest wines of Priorat, this second label from Figueras has focused flavors of cherry, berry, vanilla and mountain herb that mingle over light tannins, refreshed by bright acidity. The wine is not muscular but has good energy.

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