Barolo as we know it today was first made in the early 19th century by the Marchese Carlo Tancredi Falletti di Barolo and his wife, Giulia. The wine from their estate soon became known as “the wine from Barolo”. The Marchesi had no children and following the death of the couple, the Marchesi di Barolo dynasty was left without an heir. The Winery was left to a charity helping the most needy of nearby Torino. The sales of wine from their Barolo vineyards continue to fund the charity, which still exists today. In 1929, local winemaker, Pietro Abbona purchased the cellars formerly owned by the Marchesi and eventually acquired all their vineyard holdings as well. Since 2006, the estate has been under the direction of Pietro’s great-grandson and fifth-generation winemaker, Ernesto Abbona and his wife Anna. Marchesi di Barolo’s estate today encompasses 430 acres of vineyards in the Langhe, some of the finest in Piedmont. Come by on Saturday and taste some of its produce.

2017 Gavi DOCG $18
Cortesse
The aroma is intense and fine, fruity and floral. It remembers the golden apples and green almonds. The scent of chamomile flowers is strong at the taste, completely in harmony. “Floral and anise notes accent the core apple and lemon flavors in this juicy white. The wine is balanced, leaving a salty, yet mouthwatering impression

2015 Servaj, Dolcetto Langhe DOC $13
Servaj” (pronounced: Ser-vai) is Piedmontese dialect, for both “wild” and “creative”. This Dolcetto is fresh and quite fruity with a distinct scent of Morello cherry. The dry, pleasantly balanced flavor is due to the low level of acidity.

2016 Maraia, Barbera del Monferrato DOC $15
In Piedmontese dialect, the term Maraia is synonymous with little rascals. Liveliness, exuberance, and sometimes a bit mischievous, this is a fitting name for a young, fresh, fragrant Barbera.

2014 Sbirolo, Nebbiolo Langhe DOC $18
Nebbiolo is a very eclectic grape variety. It is able to extract many trace elements from hills with calcareous and clayey soil that enrich its texture, while picks fragrant and fruity aromas from soils rich limestone and fine quartz sands. This union causes a wine of great harmony and completeness with a wide and immediate expression of the bouquet. The fragrance combines the fruity aromas of raspberries to those ethereal and spicy of violet and vanilla. The taste is dry, balanced with fine and elegant tannins.

2012 Barolo Tradizione DOCG $50
The grapes for this Barolo come exclusively from the finest vineyards of the communities of Castiglione Falletto, Barolo and Monforte d’Alba. The wine is blended and aged for 2 years in traditional large Slavonian oak barrels. The wine completes its aging in the bottle for some months before release. The 2012 Barolo Tradizione is a dark and succulent expression of Nebbiolo from a warm vintage. Plum fruit, tart cherry, balsam herb and black licorice rise from the bouquet with marked intensity. The wine is structured and firm with broad flavors that spread far over the palate.

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.