Rain is on the forecast this weekend in Madrona, and per usual it’s pouring at Madrona Wine.  We’ve got a busy line up so grab that umbrella and come check it out.

Saturday, we’re tasting wines from Domaine Le Fay d’ Homme  a great organic estate winery in the Loire that specializes in Mellon de Bourgogne or what is more commonly known under the appellation Muscadet.  They also make two very aromatic reds, one from Gamay and one from Malbec.

Sunday, some things come and some things go.  We’re pouring two red wines: A Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero that we got the last of this week, and a Cabernet Franc from the Loire that has just arrived.

2012 Domaine de la Rablais Mis en Bouteille Cuvée Rouge $14
Loire Valley
This 100% Cabernet Franc is just off the boat and tasting great. Lighter bodied — nice spice notes.

2009 Ismael Arroyo Ribera del Dureo “Mesoneros”    $14
From Ribera del Duero, this big Tempranillo has had time to soften up.  Its smoothness will make your taste buds think they’ve been put to bed with silk sheets. Oak aged in chalk tunnels hundreds of feet underground. Full, dark and rich.  Was $20 now $14

Sunday is also the Artist Reception for Suzanne Brooker’s show of new oil paintings, Waterways from 3 to 5pm
Water is the element of change that creates paths through the landscape. A trickster with many disguises, the dynamics of water is a constant challenge to render from the dancing currents of fast water to the sculptural effects of the water course over rocky shores.

Suzanne Brooker is a Teaching Artist and has published two books: The Elements of Landscape Oil Painting:–Techniques for Rendering Sky, Terrain, Trees and Water & Portrait Painting Atelier: Old Master Techniques & Contemporary Applications

And keep your eyes out for our upcoming special tasting of older Bordeauxs.  We’re drawing up the details and will get it out soon.

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.