We’re headed for Spain this Saturday and want you to come with us. We’ll be tasting some lovely new and beautifully old wines from Rueda, Tierra de Leon and Rioja. They are wines for both everyday and special occasions. Stop by and have a taste.
2013 Bodega Los Aljibes, La Cata de Morante Verdejo Rueda $15
100% Verdejo
The La Cata is made exclusively from Verdejo grapes that the family owns in Alaejos, Valladolid. The wine has an elegant nose boasting tropical aromas & subtle balsamic hints. It is bright, crisp & fruity on the palate; with a bit of richness.
2013 Bodega Pardevalles, Tierra de Leon Albarin Bianco $17
100% Albarin
Albarin is not well known and not to be confused with the ever popular Albarino (no relation). It was on the verge of extinction until Pardevalles decided redevelop some vineyards. The wine is fermented in small conical shaped temperature controlled tanks using only indigenous yeasts. Albarin produces extremely fresh aromas of stone fruits & exotic tropical notes with subtle herbal undertones. Its bright and crisp acidity meets full bodied persistent fruit.
2012 Marques de Mejia Tinto $12
Tempranillo
The Marques de Mejia is made by Bodegas del Medievo in Rioja Baja. They own 220 hectares of vineyards which extend across the highest areas of Aldeanueva at 750 meters altitude. Aged in oak for six months, this tinto is a plump, round and succulent Rioja.
2010 Zugober Belezos Rioja Crianza $19
95% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo & Graciano
Bodegas Zugober in La Rioja Alavesa was founded in 1987 by the young enologists, Eduardo Gomez and Isabel Bernardo, who were determined to set up a modern winery based on old wine-making traditions. Their Crianza is elegant and aromatic. The wine boasts great fruit, spice as well as earthy nuances.
2005 Zugober Belezos, Rioja Reserva $28
95% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha & Graciano
The Reserva is aged for 18 months in American oak barrels, followed by 18 months in bottle before release is just coming into its prime. “It delivers a beautifully spicy perfume along with notions of lavender, a hint of balsamic, mineral, and assorted black fruits. Already displaying considerable complexity, it has enough structure (provided by the outstanding 2005 vintage) to evolve for another 5-7 years at which point my rating may appear miserly. It will provide optimum drinking from 2016 to 2025.” Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate –92pts.
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. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.