Chardonnay drinkers fall into two camps.  Either you like mineral driven Burgundy, or buttery, oak driven California style.  There is no right or wrong and we have a bit of both.

Burgundy

2019 Lamblin Bourgogne Blanc  $17
A big Chardonnay for the price, with an elegant and complex nose in which aromas of fresh fruits and white flowers mix with a touch of vanilla.

2013 Domaine Edmond Monnot Bourgogne Blanc  $22
Hautes Côtes de Beaune
A mineral layered Chard, with great complexity for the price.

2018 Oliver Leflaire Les Sétilles  $28
Les Sétilles is sourced from vineyards within the communes of Puligny Montrachet and Meursault. The aromas of white flowers, peach, grilled almond and lemon peel dominate on a mineral-tinged background. The attack is full and warm on the palate with a lively and greedy finish.

2018 Vessigaud Poully-Fussé Vieilles Vignes  $39
From 45-year-old vines this quality Burgundy ages 18 months in neutral barrels. the wine has a rich nose with citrus notes combining with tropical fruit aromas and subtle oak. The palate is full and rounded with good texture and a fine balance of rich, ripe fruit and balancing minerality.

2017 Olivier Leflaire Meursault  $83
Aged in wood, this blend of parcels from across Meursault shows the richness for which the appellation is famed. It contrasts that with acidity, freshness and crisp citrus. The combination has produced a wine that can age further.

2016 Justin Girardin Chassagne Montrachet  $70
of Chassagne where there was an abbey whose ruins you can still see.  This classic Burgundy comes from 25 year old vines.  Organic

2018 Chavy-Chouet Puligny-Montrachet 1er Les Champs Gain  $100
The wine is produced from 100% Chardonnay coming from the top of the hills of Puligny-Montrachet. The rocky soil of the steep slopes is rich in limestone.  Champs-Gain is a fine and subtle wine with fresh and lively citrus notes. Over time, it delicately reveals notes of very ripe yellow fruits.

Domestics

2018 Pozzan Annabella Chardonnay Napa Valley $13
Great Value CA Chard.  Aromas of Asian pear, orange blossom, candied lemon peel, and brown sugar. In the mouth, the wine showcases a well-balanced acidity in counterpoint to a plump, round mouthfeel. Generous flavors of juicy pear, white nectarine, and Meyer lemon blend together with a note of toasted almonds lasting throughout the finish.

2019 Mark Ryan The Vincent Chardonnay  $15
A racy number, this wine offers spiced pear and traces of pineapple before giving way to a palate featuring green apple and ripe citrus. The mouthfeel is relatively full, with more rich apple and stone-fruit tones.

2018 Freehand Cellars Oaked Chardonnay  $17
Intriguing layers of poached pears, white peaches and baked apples that leads into the palate with complex layers of wet stone, marzipan and roasted cashews.  The mouthfeel is pure and balanced and displays vibrant acidity while maintaining richness with an elegant finish that showcases sweet exotic spices and a lush, lingering finish.

2018 Raeburn Russian River Chardonnay  $20
Classic California Chardonnay—elegant and expressive with bright fruit character, creaminess and toasty vanilla. The 2015 vintage is ripe, luscious with fruit tones ranging from pear and Gravenstein apple to nectarine beautifully complemented with toasted oak, vanilla, and hints of Crème Brûlée.

2018 Orr Chardonnay  $30
From Columbia Gorge fruit Erica’s Chard is  mineral driven and fresh with that tension between bright, clean and acidic and round, rich and savory.

We get new wines into the shop each month.  Here are a few of the bottles that have shown up recently.  Try something new today.

2019 Malvira Roero Arneis  $15
Lifted and fresh on the nose with notes of white blossoms and snappy fruits. On the palate, the wine gives way to stone fruits and hints of melon before finishing with a zip of refreshing acidity. The finish is clean but long and showcases this classic vintage perfectly.  Was $25, now $15

2019 Paul Direder Grüner Vetliner  $16  1 Liter
Deliciously ripe flavors with the bracing acidity and herbaceous character typical of Grüner. Dry and crisp, showing hints of citrus & green apple. Organic

2018 Le Domaine d’Henri Le Allées Du Vignoble  Chablis  $23
Chardonnay
Of the two hectares inherited in the early 60s, Henri Laroche created this small Chablis estate and dedicated his life to it. Today the family continues to extract the purest expression of Chardonnay, as demonstrated by this cuvee offering aromas of Golden delicious apple and a typical lacteous note, supported by an ample and generous texture leading to a mineral finale.

2018 Domain des Grand Rocs Juliénas  $15
Gamay
Cru Village Beaujolais at a very pleasant price.  Medium-bodied cherry and berry fruit layered over a mineral backbone.

2018 Anadas Care Tinto Sobre Lîas  $10
75% Granacha, 25% Syrah
Rich black cherry with layers of violet in color. Complex nose with fragrant ripe red and black fruit. Powerful on the palate, perfectly balanced for a full and long finish.  A lot going on for $10.

2017 Château Petit-Freylon Bordeaux Cuvée Michael  $13
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
Cuvee Michael’s dark fruit flavors, earth notes and tannins pair well with a Philly cheesesteak or your favorite chili.

2014 Domaine De Cristia Les Garrigues Côtes du Rhone  $12
100% Grenache
From 50-55 year-old vines from a top Côtes-du-Rhône vineyard, with red clay and rocky galets soil.  rich and concentrated, it is more than you would expect from a Côtes-du-Rhône, aged half in cement and half in one to three-year-old barrels for 9 months.  Organic Was $18 now $12

2015 Lorenzo Sassetti Montecucco Rosso La Querciolina  $15
100% Sangiovese Grosso
The bouquet is dark and earthy in the best possible way, as savory herbs give way to crushed black cherry, encased in an air of smoky minerals, sous-bois, and hints of animal musk. The Montecucco Rosso then floods the palate with silky textures, offset by cool-toned red fruits and minerals, riding a core of brisk acids. It finishes with medium length yet brimming with energy, as a mix of savory spice and minerality slowly tapers off, leaving just a hint of dried cranberry.   Was $22 now $15

2015 Basel Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon  $15
Columbia Valley
This Cabernet delivers strong nuances of black cherry, stewed fruit, cola and black currant on the distinctive nose. The aromatic, jammy notes are supported well by hints of eucalyptus, mint and pencil shavings.  Was $30 now $15

2018 Orr Columbia Valley Merlot  $25
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Erica’s first Merlot under her own label. Only 240 cases made.

Fall Hours

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 6PM

This weekend we thought we’d show off our collection of Syrah,  Mourvèdre, and a few wines that have a good dose of both in the blend.

Syrah

2017 Domaine Gassier, Fleur de Syrah  $14
90% Syrah, 5% Grenache, 5% Carignan
Hints of anise and roasted meat accent ripe black plum and cassis in this Syrah amplified by 5% each of Grenache and Carignan. Full-bodied and plump in mouthfeel, it finishes on fine-grained tannins and a whisper of char. It’s an approachably fruity but elegant wine for every day.

2016 Gray Syrah  $17
This 100% Syrah with fruit from the famed Den Hoed Vineyard, was crafted by Kerloo Cellars Winemaker Ryan Crane. It full of dark dry fruit with a bit of earth and spice.

2017 Jean-Luc Colombo Les Collenes de Laure  $20
Syrah
Ruby, light in color. Expressive nose of red fruits and spices. Fresh, round, tannins, good balance. Manual harvest. Perfect as an aperitif, accompaniment of tapas and sliced meats, or on a meal off the grill.  Sustainable

2018 Vignerons Propriés Associés Croze-Hermitage  $23
100% Syrah
A cooperative of winemakers with a love of their land, and the willingness to create and sustain quality wines. They farm organically and are certified as «Terras Vitis »  Aromas of black berries, green olives  The palate is of dark intense black cherries, blackberry, green olives with subtle smoked fat notes.  Organic

2016 Casadei  Sogno Mediterraneo  $23
60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre
A blend of organically farmed Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache, this opens with aromas of dark berry, thyme and cedar. The savory palate delivers mature black currant, clove and a touch of smoke alongside polished tannins.  Organic

2018 Gilbert Cellars Allobroges  $24
37% Syrah, 36% Grenache, 27% Mourvedre
Very floral with pomegranate and bright tropical fruit notes on the nose. The palate is light to medium-bodied with vibrant acidity in the mid-palate that carries thru to the finish. The tannin is rounded out in the attack with just a slight astringency due to the wine’s youthfulness.  Vegan

2016 L’Hermas Terrasses du Larzac Languedoc  $26
55% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre, 5% Grenache
A full complex wine from the South of France.  The nose has aromas of red fruits and notes of garrigue. The wine has a round feel in the mouth. The soft tannins express themselves on a limestone base. Mature vegetal notes in length.

2016 Locus Strand Vineyard Syrah  $30
This particular vintage from the Strand Vineyard in Naches Heights stands out due to a complexity and delicateness that perfectly demonstrates what a cooler-climate vineyard can do.

2017 Tranche Syrah  $40
Savory aromas of cracked pepper, charcuterie, black olive and sage combine with notes of orange peel, licorice and dark berry fruits. The wine slowly expands across the palate with a dense, silky texture and dark, tarry flavors of blackberry and mesquite. The 2016 Tranche Syrah is a dense and powerful expression of Walla Walla Valley Syrah.

2017 Elephants Seven Yellow Bird Vineyard Syrah  $38
93% Syrah, 7% Viognier
A bright bouquet of lavender, bergamot, and cassia bark. Wet stone, white pepper, and nutmeg accent a core of blueberry and bramble fruit. Expansive and concentrated without overripe fruit and intrusive amounts of new oak. The long, expansive finish is driven by natural tannins and acidity.

Mourvèdre

2015 Le Galantin Bandol Rouge  $25
95% Mourvèdre, 5% Old-Vine Grenache
This organically-grown wine is a powerhouse of dark berry fruit flavors with a lingering, complex finish.  Smells like the sea and meat. Dark, elegant, structured, and long.  Organic

2016 Château Sainte Anne Bandol  $39
60% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, 20% Cinsault
Mourvedre’s brawny muscle is softened up with a little Grenache and Cinsault in this elegant Bandol.  Lots dark cherry, earth, and spice to go around a well-balanced frame.  Organic

Mallorca

2016 4Kilos Wines 12 Volts Tierra de Mallorca $24
60% Callet-Fogoneu, 20% Syrah, 10% Cabernet, 10% Merlot
12 Volts is a smooth red wine with aromas of ripe red fruit entwined with aromatic Mediterranean plants and a wet soil background. On the palate it is complex, flavorsome and balanced. The fruity flavor and balsamic notes stand out. The finish is lingering and very pleasant.  Organic Was $32 now $24

2014 4 Kilos Tierra de Mallorca  $35
70% Callet, 20% Cabernet, 10% Syrah
This cuvée is aged in new French oak barriques for 14 months. A composed, silky, blue/black fruit density, there’s richness and dryness to this, but the sweet core of fruit and beautifully composed texture and balance of the finish is superb. A wine has aged gracefully, but still has a flesh, substance and fine, savory freshness. Organic  Was $50 now $35

Tempranillo

2014 Vina Cerrada Rioja Crianza  $12
95% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano
A good introduction to Rioja, the Cerrada Crianza has attractive varietal aromas of red berries, fresh strawberry leaf and some hints of spice. It is rounded and soft in the mouth, with a medium bodied palate stacked with crunchy red berry and hedgerow fruit leading into an elegantly smooth, caressing finish.  Was $15 now $12

2016 Beronia Rioja Crianza  $13
91% Tempranillo,8% Garnacha, 1% Mazeulo
Beronia’s Crianza is aged for 12 months in mixed oak barrels and one year in bottle.
The wine has aromas of tobacco, vanilla and dark fruit, with smooth tannins and a spicy toasted finish.

2014 Frontaura Domino de Valdelacasa Cosecha  $16
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.

2016 Lar de Maia “5”  $17
75% Tempranillo, 25% Grenache
Lar de Maía was founded in 2010 in Castilla y León by María Burgoa and Raúl Tamayo practicing organic viticulture, and original, natural winemaking.   The “5” has intense red fruit aromas (cherry), blended with hints of vanilla, coconut and licorice that continue through to the finish.  Organic

2016 Bodegas Resalte de Peñafiel Resalte Ribera Del Duero  $18
100% Tempranillo
A crisp, intense and fresh wine which delivers an abundance of vibrant fruit flavors with background notes of spicy oak. The palate is round and beautifully balanced with a deep fruit flavor through to a long-lasting finish.

2015 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Reserva  $20
80% Tempranillo, 12% Graciano, 6% Mazuelo, 2% Garnacha
Estate fruit, 18 months in American oak. Ripe-blackberry, licorice, smoke and bourbon notes.  Stained labels, better price!  Was $28 Now $20

2009 Siglo, Rioja Grand Riserva  $20
Tempranillo – with a bit of Garnacha & Graciano
Cool and foresty in tone, this wine feels integrated, with a lovely weave to its tannins and fruit. The wine melds tannins from oak, fruit skin and seeds in notes of caraway and walnut, with a vegetal anise scent adding complexity. The texture is plump and silken, with a ping of fruit that accelerates those tannins into a savory power drive. Classical Rioja.

2014 Cune, Rioja Reserva  $22
85% Tempranillo and 15% Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo.
Floral aromas and very fruity with forest fruits intermingled with the sweet aromas of the spices from the aging in barrel during 18 months. When tasting it is a soft wine but marked by a silky tannin and fresh finish which gives us a long and complex aftertaste.

2011 Lopez de Heredia Rioja Viña Cubillo  $27
65% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacho, 5% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano
From the vineyard Viña Cubillas, whose vines average 40-years of age. The soil is from the tertiary age and is a mixture of clay and limestone. The wine ages for three years, being racked twice per year before release.

2016 Muga Rioja Reserva  $30
70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo & Graciano
A traditional-styled Rioja, aged for 6 months in wooden vats before spending 2 years in 60% new French and American oak. Rich layered fruit that is smooth-textured and concentrated.

2007 Lopez d’ Heredia Tondonia Rioja Reserva  $45
75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 5% Graciano, 5% Mazeulo
A remarkable red from a Rioja icon, López de Heredia. There’s no concession to modernity, with fermentation in 140-year-old wooden vats plus six years’ ageing in oak casks, the rest in bottle.  Spices, leather, cherries, balsamic and cigar box.  Very complex spice and berry fruit, with a long savory finish.

Monastrell, Garnacha and Other Varietals.

2016 Campos de Risca Jumilla  $10
90% Monastrell (Mourvédre), 10% Syrah
From the sunny arid part of SE Spain known in Spanish as the ‘Levante’. Intense and a deep-red Bordeaux color. The nose shows aromas of dried and some fresh fruits, red berries but also dried figs and prunes. The palate is explosive but full of soft fruit and tannins.  Organic Was $13 Now $10

2018 Nekeas Cepa por Cepa  $11
Garnacha
Crisp and fruity with loads of delicious red fruit. This bright and juicy red strikes a brilliant balance between texture and vibrancy.  Sourced from extremely old clones and vineyards.

2015 Viña Século, Mencia  $12
25-year-old vines from Bierzo in Northwestern Spain. Medium-body, cherry red, with aromas of of ripe fruit, vanilla, and spices. Ideal paired with chicken, grilled meats, or pasta.

2019 Xiloca  Calatayud Garnacha  $12
Intense blackberry color and aroma are captivating. Freshness and integrated tannins invite a second sip. The intensity continues in a mouth filling palate and a lingering fruit/mineral finish.

2017 Cesar Langa, Frenesi  $13
35% Shiraz, 35% Garnacha, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot
The Langa family owns more than 70 hectares of vineyards spread over two Biodynamic farmed estates. The Frenesi has a very minerally aroma with spicy notes such as clove, cinnamon, pepper and vanilla. It has s ripe, even jam-like black fruit, beautiful tannins, a silky and round, muscular body.   Organic

2017 Anadas Care Granacha Nativa  $14
A juicy and delicious garnacha with crushed-berry and chocolate character. Full-bodied yet tight and balance with a balance of ripe tannins and flavor.  Vegan

2018 Can Blau Montsant  $15
40% Mazuelo (Carrignan), 40% Syrah, 20% Garnacha
From average 35-year-old vines. “Wood smoke, spice box, incense, lavender, black cherry and plum aromas are followed by a mouth-filling, round, dense wine with outstanding grip and length. It over-delivers in a big way.” WA 90pts

2017 Juan Gil Monastrell  $15
From the Gil Estate in Jumilla, these old vineyards’ chalky and stony soils with poor nutrients are ideal for the growing of the Monastrell. This big shouldered old vine Monastrell sees 12 months in French oak barrels. It is rich without being jammy, structured, without being too tannic. Aromas of ripe currant, red berries, and smoked note, with a huge mouthful of crème-de-cassis concentration.

2017 Jimenex-Landi Bajondillo  $17
Garnacha with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a light, fresh, easy to drink red. The grapes are sourced from La Dehesa vineyard, in the vicinity of the winery:.  The wine, which is fermented and aged briefly in concrete tanks, displays strawberry and herbal notes.  Organic

2016 Feix Negra Priorat  $18
50% Garnacha, 50% Carineña
Red fruit aromas are topped with oaky, spicy scents of vanilla and clove. A fresh, high-tension palate features dry tannins and roughness, while plum, wild berry and oak flavors conclude on a smacking, zesty finish.

2010 La Antigua Rioja Classico Reserva  $20
60% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano
Ripe red berries, violet and cracked pepper on the nose; a vanilla nuance emerges with aeration. Seamless in texture and appealingly sweet, offering pliant raspberry and cherry flavors and a hint of mocha. Closes smooth and fruity, with subtle tannins coming in late.

2016 Costers del Priorat “Petit Pissarres”  $22
60% Garnacha, 40% Samsó
Petit Pissarres is derived from the word “Pizarra” which is “slate” in Spanish, and this delicious Priorat is almost revelatory in that it’s not nearly as massive as most reds from this fast-rising region. Intense red with purple tones. It has a very fresh aroma, full of flowers and red fruits sensations that are confirmed in the palate and finishes cheerful and lively!

2011 Vina Magaña Baron de Magaña Navarra  $23
35% Merlot, 35% Cab Sauvignon, 20% Tempranillo, 10% Syrah
Abundant notes of blackberries, crème de cassis, camphor, and flowers, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, tremendous lushness and purity, and a beautifully textured, round, generous finish.  It’s a layered, medium to full-bodied, pure, luscious and heady wine

2016 Tomas Cusine Geol  $26
60% Samsó, 30% Merlot & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
From older vines in trellised vineyard parcels with naturally low yields on stony calcareous limestone and gravel plots. Think forest fruits like mature blackberries and plum compote. Cedar, eucalyptus, dark chocolate, balsamic, licorice and black currants with elegant and sweet wood in the nose. Wide and silky entrance, with rounded tannins, powerful, structured, deep and persistent finish.  Organic

Our Fall Hours

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 6PM

This week we’re taking a look at what we stock from Spain.  We’ll start with the white wines.

2019 Bodegas Shaya, Arindo Verdejo  $12
A nice little wine with lemon, peach and fragrant floral aromas, a refreshing lemon pucker and notes of pear, melon, and apples.

2018 Lagar de Condesa, Shania Bianco  $20  3 liter Box
Sauvignon Blanc, Malvasia
A floral crisp white with notes of apple peel, wild herbs, white peach and melon.  That is $5 a bottle by the box.

2018 Viladellops Penedés White Wine  $13
100% Xarel-lo
From very old Xarello vineyards, this Spanish white is fresh with notes of white fruit and aniseed.  Was $15 now $13

2017 Oinoz, Verdejo  $13
The Oinos displays tropical, fruity aromas and floral notes of white flower, hay and fresh grass, which mingle with elegant aniseed touches. It is structured on the palate, striking a perfect balance between acidity and volume which lends it a notable freshness.

2019 Rexabal ,Txakoli  $15
Hondarrabi Zuri
Light color with slightly green hue and a slight spritz upon opening. Aromas of lemon, green apple, bright acidity and lower alcohol.

2018 O Fillo de Condesa, Albariño  $11
Made from 100% Albariño grapes from in Galicia for centuries. Bright yellow color, good structure in the mouth, well-integrated acidity with aromatic intensity and hints of floral.

2017 Sin PalaBRAS CastRoValdES, Albarino   $18
An Upper Case Albariño from Rais Baixais from 75-year-old vines. Classic Albariño aromas of sea brine, tropical fruits, lees and dust precede a minerally lemony palate with tangy flavors of lemon, lime and gooseberry. This is a fresh clean example with a long stony citrusy finish.

2017 Bodegas Ontanon, Akemi Rioja Blanco  $15
Viura
A collaboration between Michelin starred Kiro Sushi restaurant and Onaton.  It is a very dry version of Viura with lots of Asian pear flavors and saline note.  What a surprise! — this would go great with sushi.

2018 Pazo Señorans, Albariño  $20
Pazo Señorans lies in close proximity to the sea on acidic, sandy soils created by the natural decomposition of the granitic bedrock below. The Pazo takes Albariño to a whole new level. The wine is wonderfully perfumed with round viscous body packed with a cornucopia of citrus flavors.

Just A Reminder

Our Fall Hours Are
Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 6PM

Malbec is another secondary blending grape in Bordeaux, but it finds its own limelight in the Southwest of France in the region of Cahors, where it makes a dry minerally red.  It also rules the roost in Argentina where it makes a dark juicy wine.  Which hemisphere you prefer?  Here are some of our selections.

2018 Bousquet, Malbec  $10
A big wine, punchy and grapy on the nose, this bright Malbec feels edgy. Flavors of spicy black cherry and kirsch finish solidly, with a hint of chocolate flavor.  Organic
13% alcohol by volume

2015 Bousquet, Malbec  $20
A big bottle of big wine, punchy and grapy on the nose, this bright Malbec feels edgy. Flavors of spicy black cherry and kirsch finish solidly, with a hint of chocolate flavor.  Organic  1.5 liter  13% alcohol by volume

2017 Mystic Andes, Reserva  $11
Blackberry, plum, and black cherry, nuances of cocoa powder, leather and a sweet tobacco finish from the oak. 13% by volume

2018 Andeluna, 1300 Malbec  $14
1300 is meters above sea level.  A high altitude Malbec with lots of dark fruit and toasty nuance.

2017 Duriguti, Malbec  $15
Fragrant bouquet with floral notes, sweet spices and smoke — and more black fruit (black cherry) than red fruit. This wine is intense, supple, dense and powerful.

2017 Château Eugénie, Cahors Traditional  $14
100% Malbec
A very traditional Malbec from the Southwest of France with more mineral and tannin to balance out the fruit. 12.5% alcohol by volume

 2016 Château Haut-Monplaiser, Cahors Tradition  $18
100% Malbec
Tradition is made and raised primarily in concrete vats, with 30% raised in neutral barrels. Aromatically intense, with rich spicy mineral fruit, this is a long, earthy rendition of Malbec.

2018 Lafleur de Haute Sere, Cahors  $18
90% Malbec, 10% Merlot
Aromas of fleshy black cherries and stables. Full-bodied on the palate with Piquillo peppers and a hint of animal spice.  Young and concentrated full of ripe fruit and velvety tannins. 12.5% alcohol by volume

 2016 Clos de Gamot, Cahors Malbec  $25
Fruits noirs, mûres, pruneaux et mentholé,  Bouche: belle fraîcheur, harmonie, équilibre et longueur en bouche.  Classic.

2013 Château Eugénie, Haute Collection – Cahors  $38
Malbec
This is the Couture family’s top-of-the-range wine from Eugénie. It is dense and layered with wood, blackberry fruits and a complex structure of tannins, smoky flavors and acidity.

Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone, Most famously in the Loire.  Cabernet Franc is the parent grape of both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Complex reds result, with aromas of raspberry, bramble, and bell pepper.  At the moment at Madrona Wine we have six examples from the Loire, two from Friuli, and one from Washington state.

2017 Domaine les Pins, Bourgueil  $15
Rich ruby red with notes of violets and red berry fruits, this Cabernet Franc is nicely layered on the palate with brightness running throughout and just a touch of smoke mixed in with some purple fruits. Soft waves of mineral with a nice soft tannin make this a true delight to drink. Domaine les Pins has been family run for five generations.

2018 Château Minière, Bourgueil  $16
Red wine of young vines, made in stainless steel, the nose is very expressive with aromas of red fruits. On the palate the wine is very soft but well structured. Long and very aromatic finish with hints of red fruits and pepper.  Organic

2019 Arnaud Lambert, Saumur Clos Mazurique  $19
Rich cab franc showed ripe fruit flavors of berry and cassis with hint of spice. Lovely with wild boar Ragú. Balanced in the mouth, soft tannins and nice finish.
organic

2016 Domaine Nerleux, Saumur Champigny Clos des Chatains  $18
Amélie Neau is the 9th generation of Domaine de Nerleux (Black Wolves in Old French) . Her Clos des Chatains shows a beautiful nose of black fruits, blueberry, elderberry, cherry with brandy. In the mouth there are lots of flavors of kirsch, elderberry and a slight bitterness. A traditional style in a generous vintage.

2017 Couluta, Cabernet Franc  $20
Don’t let the Cabernet on the label fool you– this is Cabernet Franc from Friuli.  The fragrance grassy with a hint of raspberry and blackberry. The flavor is grassy, dry and tangy, vanillaed.  Very pleasing.

2016 Tranche, Cabernet Franc  $35
Floral and herbaceous on the nose with lifted aromas of rose petal, lilac and sage. The wine plush and dense on the palate, layered with dark, seductive flavors of blueberry, licorice and cassis. Herbaceous notes of fennel, black tea and tobacco combine with soft, fleshy tannins and a graphite-like minerality.

Maybe it was the week of smoke, or maybe it was the way yesterday’s rain seemed to flip the switch between Summer and Fall, or maybe it is 2020 with its continually astounding, endless mess of Pandemic and Politics that will have us clenching our teeth ’til November if not beyond — but somehow the end of September finds us just a bit off-kilter.   Tonight, we’re going to take home a nice bottle of wine and sip it while we listen to the rain and imagine that everything will balance itself out.  Care to join us?  It could be one of these nice bottles.

2018 Corsini, Langhe Nebbiolo  $19
From two different vineyard sites—one is within the Barolo appellation and the other is just outside the appellation limits. This wine has red fruits, pretty florals and spicy aromatics dominate the nose while the palate is well-structured with a nice fruitiness through the middle. The palate has a light hit of blood orange in addition to minerals and a forest floor note.

2014 Cune, Rioja Reserva  $22
85% Tempranillo and 15% Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo.
Floral aromas and very fruity with forest fruits intermingled with the sweet aromas of the spices from the aging in barrel during 18 months. When tasting it is a soft wine but marked by a silky tannin and fresh finish which gives us a long and complex aftertaste.

Current Hours

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 4PM

Stay tuned for our updated fall hours.