It is a perfect Juneuary day here in Madrona with grey skies and mild temperatures.  Perfect weather to taste wines.  We have a good line up this weekend so swing by the shop and have a sip.

Saturday we are pouring New Zealand wines from Jules Taylor and her husband George. 
2016 The Better Half, Sauvignon Blanc $13
2015 Jules Taylor, Grunier Veltliner $17
2016 Jules Taylor, On The Quiet Pinot Noir Rosé $20
2015 The Better Half Pinot Noir $17
2016 Jules Taylor Pinot Noir $22

Sunday we have a pair of Bordeaux lined up to taste.
2016 Duchesse de Berry, Bordeaux Blanc $12
Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc
Aromas of fresh fruits and flowers. Harmonious on the palate, it will seduce by its freshness and liveliness if consumed young. Soft and slightly fat on the finish. 12.5% alcohol by volume
2015 Château Mayne Vieil, Fronsac $14
Merlot
A right bank claret showing nice development. A clean, relatively gentle style of Claret with smooth edges showing just a whistle of underlying richness and earthiness.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2pm until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5pm.

Jules Taylor Wines source their grapes from small vineyards in the Wairau and Awatere Valleys in Marlborough, New Zealand. Well, not so much from vineyards as back corners of vineyards, rises and hollows and dry-as bits of vineyards.  Jules is the winemaker.  George Elworthy is married to Jules. He is self-described as a ‘burnt out winemaker’ – which is grossly unfair as you can’t burn wine – and is in charge of the marketing, selling, and stuff that needs doing.  When George decided to dust off his winemaking hat to create a new range of wines from Marlborough, a friendly rivalry arose and The Better Half seemed like the moniker to attach to his new project.  Stop by this Saturday as we taste through a few of Jules and Georges wines.
 
2016 The Better Half, Sauvignon Blanc $13
This crisp and characteristically Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has zesty stone fruit aromas of peach, apricot and nectarine along with a lively citrus on its palate combined with layered tropical fruit flavors of pineapple and guava.
 
2015 Jules Taylor, Grunier Veltliner $17
The best way to describe Grüner Veltliner is that it’s a cool climate wine somewhere between an aromatic white and a chardonnay.   This NZ version is a vibrant wine bursting with lemon and white peaches with a delicate coating of vanilla and a tingly white pepper bite. It provides a nice dry backbone yet is layered and creamy with soft acidity and nutty nuances and texture from the wild ferment. 
 
2016 Jules Taylor, On The Quiet Pinot Noir Rosé $20
The grapes for this Rosé are from the Branken Hill Vineyard, which is located in the Hawkesbury area of Marlborough’s southern valleys. Jules noted a special parcel of Pinot Noir tucked into the eastern corner of the vineyard suited to Rosé. This wine is brimming with light summer fruits with pomegranate and raspberry, yet it summons patisserie accents with hints of baked fig, cinnamon and nutmeg. The palate exhibits subtle tones of natural honey dew and Manuka flower and balance between crisp dryness and its mouth-watering acidity.
 
2015 The Better Half Pinot Noir $17
This fruit-driven Pinot Noir is generous on the nose showing dark cherry, plum, and vibrant red raspberry and cranberry aromas which gradually open to reveal subtle dried thyme notes and hints of cocoa. The palate is full of vibrant bright fruit, this wine exhibits plum, cherry and cranberry flavors, well-balanced with earthy, savory undertones with a delightful layer of chocolate.
 
2016 Jules Taylor Pinot Noir $22
JT’s Pinot Noir is generous on the nose, showing vibrant aromas of dark cherry, black plum and hints of spice. The wild fermentation along with extended lees maturation have added complexity and texture to the dark cherry and raspberry characters found on the palate. The finish is dry with a nice touch of dark chocolate.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2pm until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5pm.

Picnic season is here, and it’s time to get ready for it.  So this Saturday, to the first person who buys a mixed case of wine, we are offering a free picnic basket or a 6 glass set of Lustau Sherry glasses and a bottle of their Puerto Fino Sherry.  Or, buy two cases and take them both home.    We’ll also be tasting a lineup of great wines to fill out your picnic basket, barbecue or Saturday afternoon.  Stop by the shop and have a sip.
 
2013 Christian Ninot, Bourgogne Blanc “Les Pellans”  $20
Chardonnay
This White Burgundy from the Côte de Beaune has lively aromas of flowers, ripe fruit and nuts. The wine is full-bodied and round with nice acidity and a long finish. Who doesn’t like Chardonnay?
 
2016 Illahe, Viognier  $18
This Willamette Valley Viognier leaps from the glass with expressive stone fruit, and floral aromas of apricot, tangerine, honey blossom and wet stone. The palate is layered with peach compote, banana peel, and lavender with a touch of uncrushed peppercorn. The wine is steel-fermented to preserve the grape variety’s food-friendly acidity and an off-dry palate.  Organic. 12% alcohol by volume
 
2017 French Pool Toy Rosé $10
The FPT is an unpretentious, easy drinking Rosé in a plastic bottle.  As the name implies, it is perfect for poolside, but also great for picnics, the beach or just playing catch.
 
2010 Castello di Monsanto, Monrosso  $14
80% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, 5% Merlot
This Chianti is a great value everyday red. It opens with a fragrant cherry bouquet with a hint of apple. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, juicy, and fruit forward. The flavor profile is a mild oak infused black cherry, with hints of plum, black pepper and a touch of black currant. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins are nicely prolonged.  Was $17 Now $14 
 
2012 Monteabellon, 14 meses en Barrica Ribera del Duero $20
Tempranillo
A full rich Ribera Red, the Monteabellon comes from vineyards located at higher altitudes with sandy loam soils with clay and limestone content.  This Crianza sees 14 months in barrels.  It is as smooth and silky as a summer afternoon.  Was $24 now $20

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2pm until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5pm.

Saturday Mark Wysling will be here with here with his Yakima valley wines from Parejas Cellars.  If you haven’t tried Mark’s wines you won’t want to miss it.  It starts at 2pm.
2015 Souers des Vignes $16
37% Grenache Blanc, 32% Marsanne, 31% Rousanne
2016 Rose  $14
81% Mourvèdre, 13% Grenache, 6% Cinsaut 
2015 Grenache $18
77% Grenache, 23% Tempranillo
2014 Tres Rojas de Mesa $19
43% Graciano, 40% Monastrell, 17% Tempranillo
2014 Freres des Vignes $25
Graciano, Mourvedre, Tempranillo, Grenache

Sunday, we’re featuring Dragon’s Head’s Ciders. With three dry, traditionally made ciders from their Vashon Island orchard. Between 2 and 4pm, Karen Jensen from Dragon’s Head will be here to answer all your questions about these unique creations.

Traditional Cider  $17
Crafted from a blend of more than 20 traditional English and French cider apple varieties from their orchards on Vashon Island. These special apples contribute a richness of flavor and character to cider that can’t be achieved with ordinary culinary apples. Appearance – very slight haze, full golden color. Aromas of butterscotch, spice, hay, and a hint of leather. Tastes of dried apple, honey, tangerine zest, fennel, slight bitter finish. Medium-bodied mouthfeel, balanced layered tannins, slightly effervescent.
Perry  $18
The perfect beverage for a celebration. The Perry features a blend of Taylor’s Gold pears with seedling pears unique to Vashon Island, planted by homesteaders around 100-years-ago. Appearance – slight haze, very light golden. Aromas of pear drops, ripe berry, floral, pear skin. Tastes of honey, melon, rose, subtle pear. Clean mouthfeel, slightly astringent finish.
Wild Fermented Cider  $15
This is the Dragon’s Head Cider version of a farmhouse cider. Rather than carefully selecting a yeast strain for the fermentation, they allow the wild yeast present on the skin of the apples to ferment the cider. It’s a bit of a fun gamble, but one they believe is worth taking. Appearance – hazy, straw color, some sediment. Aromas of pineapple, green tea, apple blossom. Tastes of lemon and young pineapple flavors are followed by mild spice and lingering grapefruit notes. Medium body mouthfeel with mild astringency; lightly effervescent.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2pm until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5pm.

Parejas Cellars is a boutique winery in Grandview, Washington in the Yakima Valley that produces high quality, great value wines all from locally grown vineyards. Parejas focuses on the Spanish varietals of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell, Albarino, and Garnacha Blanca. The “Wysling” label is used for varietals and blends outside of the Spanish focus.  Stop by this Saturday as Winemaker Mark Wysling shows off some of this work.
 
2015 Souers des Vignes $16
37% Grenache Blanc, 32% Marsanne, 31% Rousanne
This vibrant full-bodied white blend reveals exotic and refreshing aromas of spiced herbal teas, spring blossoms, Asian pears, citrus fruits, and honeysuckle which all coincide for a lush palate pleasing experience.
 
2016 Rose  $14
81% Mourvèdre, 13% Grenache, 6% Cinsaut 
A refreshing dry Bandol-styled Rosé with aromas of apricots, white peach, and mixed red fruit that carry from start to finish.
 
2015 Grenache $18
77% Grenache, 23% Tempranillo
This Spanish-inspired red shows aromas of red & black fruit with Savory spices.
 
2014 Tres Rojas de Mesa $19
43% Graciano, 40% Monastrell, 17% Tempranillo
This intriguing blend of Washington grown “Iberian origin” varietals opens with delightful aromas of blueberries, blackberries, plums, black currants, and Mediterranean spices. All these aromatics, along with balanced acidity and ripe tannins contribute to palate-pleasing flavors.
 
2014 Freres des Vignes $25
The Freres des Vignes is equal parts Graciano, Mourvèdre, and Tempranillo, with a dash of Grenache thrown in for good measure.  The “Brothers” has enticing aromas & flavors of savory mixed black fruits & barrel spices with an elegant long mouth feel and finish.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2pm until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5pm.

We are off to Greece this Saturday, specifically the island of Crete. The Lyrarakis Estate is a family winery has been producing high quality wines since 1966 with a strong focus on rare local varieties and producing single variety wines. Surrounded by the idyllic setting of the vineyards and the Lassithi Mountains we offer you the opportunity to enjoy nature and discover local varieties and wines distinguished by the uniqueness of their origin and heritage.

2016 Legacy White  $15
75% Muscat of Spina, 25% Vidiano
Bright and lively pale yellow color. Mature aromas of grapefruit and stone fruit with a presence of rose petals. Finely balanced with good acidity and plushy finish.

2016 Vilana Pirovlikes $17
100% Vilana
Pale yellow color with glints of green. Citrus and white-fleshed fruits with floral hints. Full body with good acidity. Good on its own, or with seafood.

2016 Ayrarakis Rosé  $15
85% Merlot, 15% Liatiko
Soft coral color. It displays aromas of red fruits and herb notes. Palate is silky with an aftertaste of strawberry marmalade.

2015 Legacy Red $15
50% Kotsifali, 30% Syrah, 20% Mandilari
Ruby red color. Delicate balance highlighted by blueberries, sweet spices and fresh herbs. Rich and soft with fruity flavors, elegant tannins and piquant aftertaste.

2014 Mandialri Plakoura $24
100% Mandilari
Deep intense red color. Complex nose of juicy plums, toffee and licorice balanced by chocolate and vanilla notes provided by barrel aging. Concentrated mouthfeel with a lingering finish. Ageing potential at least 10 years.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2pm until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5pm.

It is May Fair and Mothers’ Day this weekend in Madrona.  After the parade and a hot dog at the park swing on by the wine shop and see what we’re tasting.  We’ve stocked up on our rosés and it looks like it is going to be the weather for it.

Saturday, we’ll be hopping around Europe tasting some warm weather wines. 
2016 Rezabal, Txakoli Blanco – $15
2016 Evolucio, Furmint – $13
2015 Jane Ventura, Reserva de la Música Brut Rose – $17
2016 Franck Decrenisse, Coteaux du Lyonnais – Mes Vieilles Vignes $14
2014 Lar de Maia, 5 – $17

Sunday, we have two Sunday Cider Sippers.  Swing by a pickup something for the mothers in your life.
Manoir du Parc Rosé Cider   $8
This Rosé cider from Normandy is made with pink fleshed apples and is delicious by itself or with that weekend breakfast. 3% alcohol by volume
Duché de Longueville Cidre Bouche   $10
100% Antoinette Apples
The name Cidre Bouché refers to the champagne-style cork, and like Champagne, the sparkle is a natural byproduct of fermentation – no ‘pompe bicyclette’ here. The ‘Cru’ is the single variety of apple used, giving quality, character and individuality. 4.5% alcohol by volume

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2pm until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5pm.

Saturday we are touring around Europe and tasting some fresh new arrivals from our friends at Vinea Imports.  We’ll be visiting the Basque country in Spain, Hungary, back to Spain for a pink cava, then to Coteaux du Lyonnais in France, then finish up in Castilla y León.  It’s a whirlwind weekend so come trek along.
 
2016 Rezabal, Txakoli Blanco – $15
100% Hondarrabi Zuri
Rezabal is a family owned winery located in the Basque country of Spain with a vineyard of 22-hectares planted in a traditional high trellis system.  Hondarribi Zuri, a white grape variety, displays very bright, refreshing and fruity aromas and benefits from the constant see breeze blowing in the vineyard daily, bringing great freshness, salinity and acidity to those wines. Naturally fizzy, the wine has aromas of intense fresh citrus fruits and green apple, bright acidity and low alcohol.
 
2016 Evolucio, Furmint – $13
85% Furmint, 15% Harselevelu (Yellow Muscat)
This wine comes from 30-year-old Furmint vines growing on a mix of volcanic soils in Hungary.  This Furmint features fresh pears and quaffable tropical fruits, all under a welcoming floral nose. A lush texture struck with an herbal finish leaves you feeling lip-smacking good.
 
2015 Jane Ventura, Reserva de la Música Brut Rose – $17
100% Garnacha
The vineyards for the Musica are at a high location, 700 meters.  The wine is aged for 2 years on the leas setting it apart from most Cava.  The expression of this grape is notable, as well as being very delicate and loaded with fragrance. The bouquet offers up a complex variety of harmonious aromas, with notes of cherries, green apple, strawberry, and cream, pearly minerals and floral perfume with small and delicate bubbles.
 
2016 Franck Decrenisse, Coteaux du Lyonnais – Mes Vieilles Vignes $14
Gamay
Located in the Monts d’Or, just north of Lyon, this estate is a leader in the rebirth of the Coteaux du Lyonnaid appellation. Franck Décrenisse has taken over from his parents in 1995 and currently exploits 37 acres of which 5 are planted with very old vines.  The Vieilles Vignes is made from 70-year-old vines. The nose is very expressive, fruity and spicy. In the palate, the wine is very round and full of red berries with a bright finish. 
 
2014 Lar de Maia, 5 – $17
Tempranillo, Garnacha and Syrah
Lar de Maía was founded int 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.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2pm until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5pm.

We’ll have the door wide open this weekend at Madrona Wine letting in the fresh Spring air.  The flowers are booming outside but the bouquets we’ll be smelling  are coming from the All French lineup we’re tasting.  Stop and smell the Rosé.

Saturday, we go from to Aligoté to Trousseau (two delicious but lesser known grapes) with some other delicious wines in between from French importer Wine Traditions.
2016 Marcel Giraudon, Bourgogne Aligoté $15
2017 Chateau de Jouclary, Cabardès Rosé $13
2013 Domaine Grosbot-Barbara, Saint Pourcain Rouge Les Chambre d’ Edoward $19
2015 Chateau d’Oupia, Minervois Rouge $12
2016 Domaine de la Touraize,  Arbois Rouge Les Corvees $34

Sunday we pouring a pair of  Southern French organic wines.  You can get a wiff of Barougue, Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng a mixed bouquet that is thirst quenching as well.
2016 Les Pentes de Barène Tursan $15
43% Barougue, 43% Gros Manseng, 10% Petit Manseng, 4% Sauvignon Blanc
From the Southwest of France comes this bold full white. The Pentes de Barene casts aromas of grapefruit, passion fruit, wildflowers and smoky minerals. Crisp and zesty on the palate, with suggestions of grapefruit, guava and chalky minerals. Organic.
2015 Hecht & Bannier Languedoc Rouge $12
60% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 15% Carrignan
As a result of one year’s wine tastings and selection, this Languedoc Red is blended by the most brilliant fruits of Syrah, from the area of Saint Chinian and the Terraces du Larzac with the tasty Grenache from Roussillon. It’s a fruity wine, a Mediterranean wine that is fresh and thirst-quenching. Organic

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2pm until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5pm.