The End is Near!!  2014 that is.  2015 is on its way and to help with the transition we’ve lined up some bell ringing wines to pour on Saturday.  No auld lang syne here.  These are new acquaintances to welcome the New Year.  Stop in and have a sip.
 
Moutard Grande Reserve Champ Persin Brut  $39
Chardonnay
A Blanc de Blancs from a single vineyard in Côte des Bar just under 2 hectares in size. The wine ages more than three years in Moutard’s caves.  The wine has aromas of apple, peach, and guava.  The palate is wonderfully focused with tight lemony fruit and a creamy mouthwatering acidity.
 
2009 Gerard Fiou Le Grand Roe Sancerre  $22
Sauvignon Blanc
Fiou is a 24 acres, family estate with organically farmed 60 years old vines grown on Silex soil which the Sauv. Blanc loves.  Part of the wine is vinified in “cement” tanks and another part in new oak barrels.  The wine is matured on its fine lees, regularly suspended by “bâtonnage” for 10 months.  It has a very expressive bouquet of tropical fruit with a surprising texture driven by a complex minerality and a refreshing citrusy finish.  Was $30 now $22
 
2011 Domaine Notre Dame des Pallières, Gigondas $19
75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 10% Cinsault
Notre Dame des Pallières is a family estate where the old vines go deep in the chalky-clayey subsoil.  An elegant nose of black fruit is followed by a remarkable palate of blackcurrant, thyme, licorice and tobacco character. It finishes bright and long, with very good focus and lingering florality.
 
2010 Leaf & Vine Haystack Peak Cabernet  $22
This small California winery run by wine maker Tim Keith that focuses on small production site specific, single varietal wines.  The Haystack Peak Napa Cabernet stands up with its fancy neighbors. The wine ages in 100% French Oak (50% new) and is bottled unfiltered and unrefined.  Only 6 barrels were produced.  The wine shows Aromas of spice, Cigar box and earth along with white pepper, black cherry, a sweet structure and a dry lingering finish.
 
Bodegas Dios Baco, Oxford 1970  $15  — 500ml
Pedro Ximénez
Oxford 1970 is Dios Baco’s younger Pedro Ximénez Sherry.  To concentrate flavors and sugar content, the Pedro Ximenez grapes are spread out on straw mats to dehydrate. Just before the grapes become raisins, the fruit is pressed and the wine is made then resulting wine is aged in a 35 year old Solera.  The wine is thick and intense, full of raisins and dried prunes with hints of coffee and sticky toffee.

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.