This Saturday we’ve assembled a Wolfish crew of wines from around the world. While at first glance they may seem cute and fluffy, but.at heart they have a bit of the beast. Stop by and try some predators from the Loire, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Washington State.
Henry Varney Blanc de Blanc $15
Ugni Blanc
While most sparkling wines from Saumur in the Loire Valley are made with Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, the Blanc de Blanc is 100% Ugni Blanc. Ugni Blanc is France’s most planted white grape variety (known as Trebbiano in its native Italy). This Blanc de Blanc has a steady stream of fine bubbles. It is fresh and fruity, with high acidity to delight the palate. The nose has aromas of crisp green apple and melon. The flavors are citrus and apple with a light bready finish.
2016 Vinedo de los Vientos, Estival Blanc $18
60% Gewurztraminer, 30% Chardonnay, 10% Moscato Bianco
Located just 4km from Atlantida, a coastal city of Uruguay, Vinedo de los Vientos, or “Vineyard of the Winds,” sits where the River Plate estuary meets the Atlantic Ocean. The Estival is a blend, but it’s fermented all together. The Chardonnay is harvested unripe like in “Champagne” to get the high acidity to balance the fully ripe Gewurztraminer and the Moscato Bianco’s fruity flavors. You can feel the sweetness of the Gewurz and Moscato and the sharp acidity of the Chardonnay with lots of different flavors in between.
2018 Pie de Palo Malbec $13
100% Malbec
Pie de Palo is situated 20 km south of Mendoza City, Argentina, in Cruz de Piedra district, Maipu County, where the climate is moderate in the summer and winter months. This Malbec is made in stainless steel tanks as opposed to oak, so the fruit flavors are bright and fresh. Cherry, raspberry, and other red fruits make it a very versatile Malbec.
2016 Apaltagua, Gran Reserva Envero Carmenere $18
90% Carmenere, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
The grapes in our Apaltagua Gran Reserva Envero come from our own 60 hectare vineyards in Apalta in the Colchagua Valley in Chile. Apaltagua Gran Reserva Envero shows ripe blackberries, tobacco, and spices. It possesses a remarkable combination of ripe fruit notes and oak mixed with vanilla. Its flavor is juicy, full, and concentrated, highlighting the softness in the mouth and the raspberry and plum tannins with a touch of tobacco. It has a long and lingering finish.
2016 In Sheep’s Clothing Cabernet Sauvignon $19
60% Red Mountain, 40% Wahluke Slope
In Sheep’s Clothing delivers a ripeness of fruit flavors while preserving the acidity that gives the wine a slice of freshness. With layers of Cassis, Blueberries, and Black Cherries lends to New World style fruit with more of an old-world structure with a hint of wood smoke. This wine fully embraces an integral part of classic Cabernet Sauvignon by highlighting a complex blend of dried herbs: anise, thyme and bay leaf.
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.