It has been a soggy week here in Madrona.  But last night’s winds might have blown some of the rain away, at least for a couple of days.  While we dry out and get ready for the Oscars we’ll be tasting some highly nominated wines here at the wine shop.  Stop in and pick your favorites.

Saturday we have some big wines from small producers in France and Italy.  They are all organic and that is just the start.
2017 Domaine Montrose Côtes de Thongue Rosé  $10
2018 Château Brézé Clos de Midi  $20
Chenin Blanc
2018 La Montagnette Côtes du Rhone Villages  $14
70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Mourvédre, 5% Carrignan
2018 Mélaric “le Tandem”  $19
60% Grolleau, 40% Cabernet Franc
2017 Reale Cardamone  Tramonti Costa d’Amalfi $25
80% Piedirosso, 20% Tintore. 

Sunday we have two Washington wines that compete for the category of Best Value.
2016 Sparkman Apparition  $13
75% Roussanne, 12% Grenache Blanc, 13% Marsanne
This wine is mostly Roussanne, with the balance equal parts Marsanne and Grenache Blanc, with the fruit coming from Olsen and Boushey vineyards. Lemon verbena, grape-nut, peach and apple aromas lead to broad stone-fruit flavors.
2017 Freehand Cellars Syrah  $13
Aromatics of blackberry jam, plums and black currents followed by layers of smoked meats with a touch of anise and white pepper.  The entry is smooth with lush tannins and a perfect balance of oak and dark fruits that envelopes the palate with rich layers of exotic spices, followed by a lush finish that showcases the gorgeous French oak.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 3-5 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.