Today at Madrona Wine Merchants we are tasting the ’05 Basciano il Corto.

90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

This bold Tuscan takes a price drop but is still tasting great. Was $22, now just $15.

Pungent dried red berries complicated by rose and an intense cream soda quality on the nose. The cream soda follows through on the palate, joined by ripe red cherry and redcurrant. Finishes persistent and ripely tannic –IWC.

“Like Columbus who sought a trade route to Asia, Randall Grahm set sail in 1979 for the Great American Pinot Noir, foundered on the shoals of astringency and finesselessness and ended up running aground in the utterly unexpected New World of Rhône and Italian grape varieties.”

As you can see, Randall Grahm, owner and winemaker at Bonny Doon Vineyards has a way with words, and after tasting some of his portfolio you will find he has a way with wine as well. We had the pleasure of a visit from Randall last year to personally flog his wines. He is as fun in person as he is on paper.

2009 Muscat Ca del Solo $17
98% Moscato Giallo, 2% Loureiro
Pale yellow color with light gold highlights; bright floral notes of honeysuckle, lilac, and orange blossom bring to mind a perfumed spring garden at dusk. Ripe peach, melon, and yellow apple combine with citrus zest and spearmint on the palate. A brilliant and refreshing apéritif and a superb complement to seafood, poultry, charcuterie and cheeses, and Asian cuisine.

2009 Contra $16
55% Carignan, 15% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 7% Petite Syrah, 5% Zinfandel, 3% Syrah
A contrarian blend of mostly old-fangled grape varieties from older vineyards, located in Contra Costa County with aromas of cherries and licorice, flavorful cassis, blackberries and silky tannins.

2010 Clos de Gilroy $20
75% Grenache, 13% Cinsault, 12% Syrah
The strawberry-rhubarbity of grenache is complemented by a delicate note of kirsch from cinsault and the spicy catch of syrah’s white pepper. Brilliant rubescent pink with a fuchsia rim, the wine is intensely aromatic, with notes of strawberry, raspberry, pepper, and wild herbs. Supple and medium-bodied, the dominant flavors on the palate are of red fruits: strawberry, red currant, kirsch, and strawberry-rhubarb. Fruity and spicy but fully dry, this wine is the perfect foil for all manner of grilled meat or vegetables, roasted poultry, the aïoli platter (naturellement), and anything prepared al fresco-especially when anointed with olive oil.

2007 Cigare Volant $38
44% Syrah, 44% Grenache, 11% Cinsault, 1% Mourvèdre
Randal Graham was one of the first California winemakers to create a Châteauneuf-du Pape style wine from California grapes. Le Cigare Volant has been his flagship wine for over two decades. Drink now or lay down for years. And who wouldn’t want to drink a wine whose name translates to The Flying Cigar, the literal French translation for spaceship.

“Like Columbus who sought a trade route to Asia, Randall Grahm set sail in 1979 for the Great American Pinot Noir, foundered on the shoals of astringency and finesselessness and ended up running aground in the utterly unexpected New World of Rhône and Italian grape varieties.”

As you can see, Randall Grahm, owner and winemaker at Bonny Doon Vineyards has a way with words, and after tasting some of his portfolio you will find he has a way with wine as well. We had the pleasure of a visit from Randall last year to personally flog his wines. He is as fun in person as he is on paper.

2009 Muscat Ca del Solo $17
98% Moscato Giallo, 2% Loureiro
Pale yellow color with light gold highlights; bright floral notes of honeysuckle, lilac, and orange blossom bring to mind a perfumed spring garden at dusk. Ripe peach, melon, and yellow apple combine with citrus zest and spearmint on the palate. A brilliant and refreshing apéritif and a superb complement to seafood, poultry, charcuterie and cheeses, and Asian cuisine.

2009 Contra $16
55% Carignan, 15% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 7% Petite Syrah, 5% Zinfandel, 3% Syrah
A contrarian blend of mostly old-fangled grape varieties from older vineyards, located in Contra Costa County with aromas of cherries and licorice, flavorful cassis, blackberries and silky tannins.

2010 Clos de Gilroy $20
75% Grenache, 13% Cinsault, 12% Syrah
The strawberry-rhubarbity of grenache is complemented by a delicate note of kirsch from cinsault and the spicy catch of syrah’s white pepper. Brilliant rubescent pink with a fuchsia rim, the wine is intensely aromatic, with notes of strawberry, raspberry, pepper, and wild herbs. Supple and medium-bodied, the dominant flavors on the palate are of red fruits: strawberry, red currant, kirsch, and strawberry-rhubarb. Fruity and spicy but fully dry, this wine is the perfect foil for all manner of grilled meat or vegetables, roasted poultry, the aïoli platter (naturellement), and anything prepared al fresco-especially when anointed with olive oil.

2007 Cigare Volant $38
44% Syrah, 44% Grenache, 11% Cinsault, 1% Mourvèdre
Randal Graham was one of the first California winemakers to create a Châteauneuf-du Pape style wine from California grapes. Le Cigare Volant has been his flagship wine for over two decades. Drink now or lay down for years. And who wouldn’t want to drink a wine whose name translates to The Flying Cigar, the literal French translation for spaceship.

Mark and Jim with Winemaker and Bonny Doon owner, Randall Grahm at the shop last fall. Unfortunately he will NOT be able to join us for the tasting.

As we move into day two of our four day marathon tasting it’s time to put those running shoes back on and trot down to Madrona Wine Merchants for today’s ALL-DAY (11-7pm) tasting.

What’s on tap that would draw me away from that warm fire?

2011 Esporao Alandra                        ($8)
Antão Vaz, Perrum and Arinto
Fragrant and elegant with floral as well as lime and other citrus aromas and full dry fruit. A lovely little wine from Portugal.

2010 Duvernay Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes        ($13)
Grencahe, Mouvedre, Syrah
A big and rich old vine Rhone that packs a lot into a very small price. “Very beautiful steady and dark dress, in the reflections garnet. Nose of black fruits, very mature cherries, with aromas of licorice, ‘zan’ and spices (cloves and nutmeg). The mouth is dense with silky tannins and a beautifull minerality.”

2010 Terre del Barolo Nebbiolo d’Alba            ($15)
A full structured Nebbiolo that drinks above its price. Chewy tannins mixed with red cherries and floral notes.

And a special treat not yet released by the winery, but a pre-release sample:

2010 Baer Winery Ursa
42% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley

As we move into day two of our four day marathon tasting it’s time to put those running shoes back on and trot down to Madrona Wine Merchants for today’s ALL-DAY (11-5pm) tasting.

What’s on tap that would draw me away from that warm fire?

2011 Salvard Cheverny    ($15)
85% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Chardonnay
A good crisp Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire that is rounded out by the Chardonnay. Nice grassy and citrus notes.

2010 Vietti Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne    ($18)
Piedmont
A classic bright red cherry Barbera with integrated acidity and smooth tannins.

2009 Ransom Pinot Noir    ($20)
Light and snappy, with a tangy edge to the red berry and currant flavors, sliding through the finish on a bed of fine tannins. Drink now through 2017. Wine Spectator
Organic

2009 Animale Petite Sirah    ($26)
Yakima Valley
Washington State
Medium-bodied with flavors of ripe plum, berries and dark chocolate.
Unfined and Unfiltered

As we move into day two of our four day marathon tasting it’s time to put those running shoes back on and trot down to Madrona Wine Merchants for today’s ALL-DAY (11-7pm) tasting.

What’s on tap that would draw me away from that warm fire?

NV Alvise Lancieri Prosecco    ($14)
A very crisp Prosecco with good body.
Please note: we will be opening the Prosecco at 2PM so the bubbles don’t de-bubble throughout the day

2009 Kestral Red Table Wine    ($16)
36% Merlot, 24% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 8% Mourvedre
Ripe dark fruit along with notes of tobacco, dried herbs, cedar, and vanilla.
Normally $22 but on deal for a short while.

2009 Borgo Scopeto Borgonero    ($20)
60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah
A reserve wine aged for 18-24 months in cask and 8 months in bottle. Very intense, broad, refined and captivating, with notes of leather and tobacco.
Was $34 Now $20

2001 Viña Santurina Gran Reserva    ($30)
90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano
A still youthful Gran Reserva with lots of well-developed fruit.