Last night’s winds blew an extra day onto the February calendar.  It’s LeapEnd here in Madrona and we have a couple of great events lined up to celebrate.

Saturday, February 29th, we are tasting some fine examples from California’s Counterculture.  We have wines from three young Cali winemakers who are bucking the norm. 
2015 Keep Wines, Lost Slough Albariño   $30
2018 Keep Wines, Delta White Cortese Falanghina  $24
2018 Keep Wines, Counoise  $28
2018 Martha Stoumen Wines, Venturi Vineyard Carignan  $36
2018 Inconnu Wine, Papa Jaja Cabernet Sauvignon  $20

Sunday, March 1st,we have a special visit from Bodegas Frontaura.  The Frontaura estate has 120 hectares of vines producing the native variety Tempranillo Tinta de Toro and in the D.O. of Toro. Nexus is their property in Ribera del Duero where they make Tempranillo with a different flair.  Loreto Herrero from the winery will be in the shop from 2 to 4 pm to elaborate about the wines. 
2015 Nexus One Ribera del Duero $15
Tempranillo
The Nexus has intensity and freshness. At first floral touches appear followed by subtle aromas of red fruit with dairy notes and hints of caramel.
2014 Frontaura Domino de Valdelacasa Cosecha $15
Tempranillo
From Toro the Domino is very intense on the nose, red fruit aromas, strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry are predominate with dairy and well-integrated wood. Touches of eucalyptus, velvety licorice and mineral notes come out. It is smooth, balsamic and very long. It is a structured and complex wine.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 3-5 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.