Forget what the weather is here.  Forget what the weather is there.  Drop by and taste some great wines this Saturday at the wine shop and get ready for Bastille Day.
 
2017 HB Pomerol Picpoul $13
100% Picpoul
A traditional local variety planted on sun-drenched hillsides in the Mediterranean garrigue (garrigue is the name given to open scrubland made up of low-growing, dwarf bushy shrubs including holm oak, juniper, broom and wild herbs such as rosemary, thyme and sage). The vines are 15-20 years old. The wine has fine aromas of grapefruit and exotic fruit with Lime flavors and focused acidity—the hallmarks of Picpoul.  It is crisp and fresh and ready for summer or shellfish.
 
2014 D’Orschwihr Cremant d’Alsace Extra Brut Rosé $21
Pinot Noir
This rosé has spent 3 years on slats which gives it its persistent bubbles.  The nose opens gently towards red fruit notes, the fine and distinguished palate finds a fine balance between liveliness and silky structure.
 
2018 La Croix Belle Rosé $10
50% Syrah, 50% Grenache
This lively, fruity rose is filled with ripe, juicy fruits, rose petals and pear drops.  It has an intense nose of rose petals and pear drop candies, with a ripe juicy acidity in the mouth.
 
2018 Moulin de La Roque, Les Adrets Bandol Rosé $23
70% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, 10% Cinsault
Les Adrets means “Sunny Side” as the vineyards that produce Les Adrets sit upon hillsides facing south east, steep enough to require the growers to plant the vines in stone wall terraces called “restanques”.  Les Adrets is produced from younger vines planted in the five diverse Bandol soil types: rudist limestone, Triassac pebbles, black marl, sandy marl, and red sand.  This wine is warm, ripe and fruity. Red-berry flavors have a smoky edge as well as crisp perfumed acidity, giving richness and freshness at the same time.
 
2015 Domaine Rolet Arbois Vieilles Vignes Poulsard  $24
100% Poulsard
The Rolet is made exclusively from the low yield production Poulsard grapes from 50 year old vines and then aged in older large casks for 12 months.  The Vieilles Vignes has a nose red fruits, strawberries and cherry — pleasant acidity and bright red fruit lead the way, with subtle spice and a gamey, wild undertone. On the palate there is a good balance of fine tannins making it an extremely pleasant wine.

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.