One of the common peeves I hear from our customers is that they got this wonderful bottle of wine from us but can’t remember the name – or they were out at a restaurant and had a great bottle and now want to special order a case. It even happens to me.
Check out this app for your smart phone.
Click on the graphic above to go to their website.
With this app you take a picture of the bottle and it will search its database for information on the wine as well as letting you add comments either public or private. Unclick the check box if you want to keep the comments to yourself. If they don’t have it in their database yet, it magically appears several days later.
One nice feature is Vivino runs on all phone platforms. Latest release for iOS and Android, previous version for Blackberry and Windows Phones, just look in your app store and search on Vivino. I have a Windows 8 phone and it runs great.
Remember: Madrona Wine Merchants offers a 15% discount on all full-case special orders. Delivery time is usually less than one week.
ANIMALE is a very small winery hidden away in the outskirts of pastoral Ballard with an annual production of just around 200 cases. There Matt Gubitosa, winemaker, cellar master and head bottle washer produces his hand-crafted, full-flavored red wines from some of Washington’s lesser known grapes. It is hands on winemaking at its most pure level. His preference for aging in neutral oak barrels accents each varietal’s unique characteristics and lets the wines speak for themselves. Matt will be at the shop Saturday pouring some of his newly released 2010 vintage as well as the scarce 2009 Petitie Sirah (a personal favorite). 2010 was the coolest Washington growing season since 1999. The new wines are balanced, concentrated, nuanced and complex; they exhibit distinctive varietal character Come have a sip. 2010 Cabernet Franc, $25 95% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot This Cab Franc comes from McIntire Vineyard, a late-harvest vineyard which also provides the grapes for the Petite Sirah. Medium-dark ruby-red color; complex assortment of delicate aromas including fresh cherries with hints of cherry candy, pomegranate, pimento, clove and nutmeg. Medium-bodied, fresh and zesty, with moderate tannins suststained through a long finish. This wine will reward many years of aging, courtesy of the 2010 vintage. 2010 Dolcetto $22 From 24 K vineyard on Waluke Slope, the 2010 Docetto has brilliant, bright purple-black color; complex and spicy aromas of blackberry and freshly-ground peppercorns, with hints of anise, blackcurrant, cola, and wisps of violets and sweet smoke. A zesty, medium-bodied wine with flavors of fresh berries and a soft but lingering finish. 2009 Petite Sirah $26 A standout in the Animale line up, the Petite Sirah has explosive aromas of fresh blackberries, and a hint of menthol. The wine is medium bodied with flavors of ripe plum, berries, and dark chocolate. 2010 Zinfandel $25 76% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 6% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah Who says you can’t get Zinfandel ripe in Washington? Even in the cooler 2010 growing season this Zin out of Prosser has dark red-black color; aromas of fresh raspberries, blackcurrant and plums with hints of white pepper, leather, lemon, grapefruit peel and fresh flowers; rich and full-bodied with citrusy freshness and notes of chocolate and cherry pie.
With a few exceptions, Washington’s wineries are still mostly small family operations. And the story of farmers turned grape growers turned wine makers is a common one. This leads to some notable and some not so notable local wines. This Saturday we are just pouring winners.
2011 Gard, Freyja White $15
49% Viognier, 36% Roussanne, 15% Pinot Gris
The Lawrence family.have been farming Royal Slope in Columbia Valley for more than 45 years where they now have their sustainably farmed estate vineyards. Their distinctive white blend has notes of lemon peel, white blossoms, and white peach and citrus zest. Swirling brings up honeysuckle, ripe peach and fresh apricot. The palate is round, textured and crisp. The wine is balanced and fresh.
The Mercers are 4th generation farmers in the Horse Heaven Hills. Their HHH Cab is mostly from their estate fruit. The wine is loaded with ripe red cherries, cassis, vanilla and toast. On the palate the wine is full with pleasantly soft tannins. The bursting fruit gives way to a lingering finish with notes of candied cherries, earth and char. 2008 Helix, Pomatia $16
30% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Syrah, 16% Cabernet Franc
Helix is Reininger’s label for their Columbia Valley AVA wines. Chuck’s notes for his Pomatia: Buckle up for an unforgettable red wine roller coaster ride! This adventurous and fearless blend will take you straight through a tunnel of plum and hearty cherry marmalade. Twist and turn through a nose of baking spices, pipe tobacco. Prepare to splash into a finish of juicy pomegranate and red licorice. Trust me, you’ll get in line again for more.
2010 Hedges, DLD Le Gosses Vineyard Syrah $25
In 1976 Anne-Marie Liegeois said goodbye to her life in Champagne, France and left for the United States with her new husband Tom Hedges. The DLD Syrah is an homage to her grand-father. Grown on a 15 acre vineyard, named Les Gosses, this wine displays the greatest qualities of low yield farming. It has earth, fennel spice and structure, the hallmarks of a great Red Mountain Syrah, framed by classic French Oak barrels.
Chuck Reininger’s Cab comes from the cream of Walla Walla Vineyards being a blend of Pepper Bridge & Seven Hills. Chuck’s notes on the wine: Man, this is a Muscular, Charles Reininger Atlas, Anaconda, Steak house, lick the tannin off my teeth Cab. Dense, volume expanding, weighty. Black raspberry, Black currant (cassis), Black plum, black berry, Black licorice, Black earth, toffee. It’s a good thing the tongue is the strongest muscle in the body.
Yes, Dorothy, you can have a case of wine for under $100 ($99.56 to be exact). That was a customer request for a winter mountain trip, 12 bottles mixed red and white, one hundred dollars including tax. Remember, you get 10% off when you buy a mixed case (or 15% if you special order a full case).
Here is what we came up with:
Three Whites
2009 Montpellier Viognier ($7) Napa Valley
Delicate aromas of white peach and apple with a hint of almond blossom. Light-bodied on the palate and shows the creamy texture of Viognier with citrus accents and a pleasant crisp dryness on the finish.
2011 Montgravet Côtes de Gascogne ($8) Colombard
A dry, fresh and refreshing colombard with pear and peach notes. Great sunny afternoon wine.
2008 Bodegas Berroja Berroia ($10) 90% Hondarribi Zuri, 6% Folle Blanche and 4% Riesling
Berroia is an estate-bottled wine made by Bodegas Berroja in the Txakoli de Bizcaia DO. Txakoli wines have a slightly “spritzy” effervescent character similar to vinho verdes from Portugal but whereas the latter are light wines with fresh, clean flavors and bright acidity, Txakolis have more complex aromas and depth of flavor on the palate along with a firm minerality that is their signature.
Eight Reds
NV Caves Bonifacio Encosta dos Curiosos (EC) ($7) A great deal on a Portuguese red blend. Full bodied with rich fruit.
12.5% by volume
2009 Tuga Douro Douro ($9) Portugal
Red fruits and spicy aromas. The mild maceration preserves the typical flavors of the varieties that show its potential after bottling. The palate is very gentle and sweet, with well balanced acidity and fine tannins. Pairs well with Mediterranean and Asian dishes.
12.5 by volume
2010 Terre d’Artagnan Côtes de Gascogne Rouge ($10) 60% Merlot, 20% Tannat, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
12.5% by volume
2000 Gran Oristan Gran Reserva ($12) Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon
La Mancha
No Quixotic adventure, this Cabarnet Sauvignon and Tempranillo blend sees 24 months in barrel and you can count the years in bottle. Not as good as the wines from Rioja but nowhere near the price either.
2007 Château La Freynelle Bordeaux ($8) 65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon
This little Bordeaux has softened up with its age and has turned into a good summer quaffer.
12% by volume
2010 Sainte Elisabeth ($9) Grenache
Costières de Nîmes
Predominantly Grenache, this southern French red has a jammy quality with rich aromas of red and black fruits, spice, and mineral.
12.5% by volume
2011 Camene Sicilia Rosso ($8) Nero d’Avola and Perricone
A very friendly Sicilian blend with spicey aromas and bitter chocolate tannins.
2010 Bodegas la Aldea lLA Radela ($9) 100% Tempranillo
Rioja
From 20+ year old vines, this stainless steel fermented Rioja is full of cherry and mineral flavors.
One Dessert
2010 Viña Tabalí Late Harvest ($9) Muscat
Chile
Tabalí’s desert Muscat is amazingly rich, complex, deep and expressive. It shows, plenty of dried apricots, honey, papaya and great botrytis character. On the palate is unctuous, smooth and rich, with nice acidity giving the wine a great balance and refreshing edge and a very long, intense and velvety finish. 375 ml.
Come in and check out this 5 liter (that’s almost 7 standard-size bottles) 2008 Chianti Classico Reserva that is big enough to handle your Super Bowl crowd. We are open until 5pm today.
2008 San Felice Chianti Classico Reserva $170 Sangiovese A Big Bottle of Big Wine. Il Grigio releases lingering, complex fragrances redolent of sweet violets and wild red berry fruit. The palate displays a wine of appreciable body, nicely lean-edged, and with a crisp acidity.
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.
Beat the post-holiday doldrums this afternoon by stopping by the shop. We have a lively new art show by Kelly Lyles and some very tasty and inexpensive wines from Burgundy and Beaujolais that we will be pouring starting at 2.
Stock up on bubbles for New Year’s Eve (and beyond). We are running holiday pricing on two grower champagnes:
Alain Bailly Grande Reserve Brut — Holiday Special Pricing — $30
Serzy-et-Prin Marne
60% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
Sixth generation growers, Bailly’s estate consists of 12 hectares composed of eighty vineyard plots. The Grande Reserve has a golden tint, fine mousse, very full bouquet mingles toast, figs, fresh bread, and structured vinous aromas full of richness and freshness. Was $33, now $30
Champagne Julien Chopin, Carte d’ Or – Holiday Special Price — $40 Blanc de Blanc Chardonnay
Julien Chopin 6 ha vineyard located in Epernay produces this full “Grower” Blanc de Blanc. The wine contains 30% of 6 year old reserve wine blended with the younger wine to balance freshness with complexity. The Carte d’ Or has notes of butter, honey, and grapefruit along with a bit of brulee and mineral and a long lingering finish. Toast the New Year in right. Was $50, now $40
Real Champagne a bit out of your budget? We have a variety of Cava, Prosecco, and other sparklers starting at $10. Time to stock the cellar.
Holiday Hours: Sunday, December 30, 11-5pm
Monday, New Year’s Eve, 12-7pm
To ensure that we can provide you with the specific wine that you are looking for, please call or email us with your request. It’s important to note that the vintage and availability of wines can vary from year to year.
