Saturday, we get in the van and hit the backroads of France to taste wine with small importer Petit Monde.  Petit Monde specialized in smaller family estates, many of which are organically farmed, and all are clean pure wines that reflect their makers.  Come see what fell off the back of the truck.
 
2015 Domaine Pinson Chablis $23
Chardonnay
The Pinson family has farmed in Chablis since 1640.  Today Laurent and his daughter Charlène own 14 hectares of vines in the appellation.  The 2015 Chablis Villages spent six months in stainless steel on the fine lees, it has a taut cold stone, gun-flint bouquet. The palate is well balanced with a punchy, quite spicy entry, well-judged acidity and a finish that shows composure and tension.
 
2015 Eric Laguerre, Eos Blanc Cotes de Roussillon $15
40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Maccabeu and 30% Rolle
The Eos is grown on granite soils in Eric’s high-altitude organic vineyards. Very pale bronze color. The wine shows intriguing aromas of stone, dried pear, citrus and almond that deepen on the palate. Quite dense and backed with firm acidity and stone flavors, this is a real wine of the mountains, echoing the granite soils of Muscadet.
 
2016 Bastide des Oliviers, Provence Rosé $16
40%Cinsault, 30% Genache, 15% Carignan, 15% Syrah
La Bastide des Oliviers is located in the Var, with 10 acres of vines in organic farming.  The soil is argilo-calcareous and the climate is kind, protected from winds by the mountains of saint Beaume and of Loube. The wine is a light and elegant rosé with true Provence style.

2015 Clos Fantine, Lanterne Rouge  $17
50% Cinsault, 50% Aramon
Clos Fantine is a Faugeres estate that is owned by three siblings, Carole, Corinne and Olivier Andrieu with 28 hectares of vineyards which they organically farm.  The Lanterne Rouge is a blend of Cinsault and the local Aramon grape, a distinct combination that make a lighter fresh wine with flavors of bright red fruits over a hint of dry earth, leading to a mouthwatering, herb dusted finish.
 
2012 Chateau De Fontenille,  Bordeaux Rouge  $14
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vines have been grown at Fontenille since the 13th century when monks tended the vines.  Stéphane Defraine bought the property in 1989 and has gradually renovated the buildings and replanted and extended the vineyards. This Bordeaux Rouge is a solid wine with dusty aromas, dark fruit, a juicy mid palate and a dry finish with a deep resin note.

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.