This Saturday we’ll be exploring wine traditions from some of the lesser known reaches of France.  We’ll have an Aligoté from Burgundy, a Cabrades Rosé, a Pinot Noir from the Loire, a Minervois Rouge from the Lanquedoc, and a Trousseau from the Jura. They mostly come from Wine Traditions, an importer that we have followed over the years. Come explore.
 
2016 Marcel Giraudon, Bourgogne Aligoté $15
The Giraudon family has been farming and making wine in Chitry for centuries. Their vineyards are on hillsides of Kimmeridgian chalky marl which is particularly well suited for the Aligoté grape.  Marcel Giraudon has six of his 18.5 hectares planted to Aligoté. The wine goes through a malo-lactic fermentation which adds a lovely middle palate to its vibrant fruity and mineral qualities.  The wine shows some serious complexity with lime and minerals, a racy edge and a long finish with a bit of toasty cream.
 
2017 Château de Jouclary, Cabardes Rosé $13
60% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cinsault, 20% Grenache
The Cabardès appellation is located on the most southern outcropping of the Massif Central in the Languedoc. The Jouclary rosé shows an aromatic complexity with white flowers, violet, dried flowers and fruit aromas, currant peach, citrus fruits and exotic fruits. 
 
2013 Domaine Grosbot-Barbara, Saint Pourcain Rouge Les Chambre d’ Edoward $19
Pinot Noir
Grosbot-Barbara grows both Gamay and Pinot Noir, the two sanctioned varieties in Saint-Pourçain.  In 2001 a Pinot Noir-loving friend of vigneron Denis Barbara elected to sleep through the night in Pinot Noir tank number seven, then empty. Now his 100% Pinot Noir cuvee is nicknamed “La Chambre d’Edouard” (Edward’s room.) This Pinot has an abundance of bright red fruits with a strong acidic backbone and soft tannins.
 
2015 Château d’Oupia, Minervois Rouge $12
60% Carignan, 30% Syrah, 10% Grenache
The 13th century estate where 100-year-old Carignan vines grow was inherited by Andre Inche, who began crafting the kind of wines that got the region of Languedoc-Rousillon noticed for more than just bulk wines. The Minervois Rouge has a nose full of sweet, wild herbs and violets, dark, lusty plums, blackberries, cassis, and black pepper that carry on long into the finish.
 
2016 Domaine de la Touraize, Arbois Rouge Les Corvees $34
Trousseau
Domaine de la Touraize is a 12-hectare estate, in Arbois, Jura. André-Jean Morin is the eighth generation to farm in Arbois. They began farming organically in 2016.  A truly unique Jura red, The Les Corvees has spices, and pepper, mixed with notes of small red fruits. The palate has a beautiful attack with full blended tannins, with an aromatic richness length and balance at the end of the mouth.

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.

April Showers have returned to Madrona, so it must be the weekend.  Take a break from watching the grass grow and come try some local wines at Madrona wines.

Saturday we have Locus Wines in the house, direct from our friends down on Madrona Drive. Rich Burton will be pouring his new releases.
2017 Rose $12
2016 Modo White $13
2016 Modo Red $13
2014 Yakima Valley Red $20
2015 Nord $25

Sunday, we continue our Northwest wine weekend with two unique whites from Parejas Cellars, a boutique winery in the Yakima Valley

2013 Parejas Cellars Band of Sisters Wysling  $12
27% Marsanne, 43% Roussanne, 30% Grencahe Blanc
This local Rhône style white blend is dry full-bodied wine with perfumed aromas of spiced herbal tea, spring blossoms, Asian pears, greengages (European plums), and honeysuckle.  Was $15 now $12
2013 Parejas Cellars Garnacha Blanca  $12
This WA grown, Spanish-styled white has aromas of ripe green apples, white stone fruits and citrus and herbal nuances which combined with lively acidity, and a refreshing finish.   Was $15 now $12

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.

This Saturday we are popping the corks on the new releases from Locus Wines. The grapes for the wine come from east of the mountains, but the global headquarters of the operation rests comfortably at the foot of Madrona Drive. Winemaker Rich Burton will be on hand to pour and talk about his new creations.
 
2017 Rose $12
40% Grenache, 40% Mourvédre, 20% Cinsault
A Provence styled pink for mere pennies.
 
2016 Modo White $13
50% Semillon, 50% Sauvignon Blanc
A Bordeaux-style blend, the Semillon rounds out the grassiness of the Sauvignon blanc.  It is an easy drinking combination.
 
2016 Modo Red $13
38% Cinsault, 21% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, 14% Merlot
The new Modo everyday red is based on a Provence/ Southern French blend.  It is fresh and delicious and priced as well as its French counterparts which is exceptional.
 
2014 Yakima Valley Red $20
40% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre
A clean dark fruited Rhone Style blend.  The 2014 is beefed up this year with a good dose of Mourvèdre.
 
2015 Nord $25
64% Syrah, 23% Cinsault, 13% Mourvedre
The Nord is a Syrah-heavy Rhone blend.  The wine has a nicely balanced play between the dark fruit, the smooth tannins and its fresh acidity.

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 seems like we might dry out this weekend and get a peek at the other side of Spring here in Madrona.  Take a break from mowing the moss and stop by the shop where we’ll be tasting Italian wines all weekend.

Saturday we have organic wines from Umbria that are fresh, tasty and are great value wines.
2015 Terre Margaritelli,  Pietramala $12
85% Trebbiano, 15% Pecorino
2015 Terre Margaritelli,  Costellato  $17
Trebbiano, Fiano, Chardonnay, and Viognier
2016 Terre Margaritelli, Venturosa Rosato di Torgiano $10 
Sangiovese
2015 Cantina Altarocca, Librato Umbria Rosso  $16
70% Cabernet Franc, 30% Canaiolo
2015 Terre Margaritelli,  Mirantico $20
Sangiovese, Malbec, Canajolo

Sunday we continue our Italian weekend with a Trebiano from Abruzzo and a Nebbiolo from the Langhe. Stop in and give them a swirl!
2017 Talamonti Trebiano d’Abruzzo $11
A clean and crisp Trebiano with fresh apple and citrus notes and a bright finish.
2016 Ca’  Gialla Langhe Nebbiolo $13
A lighter Nebbiolo with rose and tobacco aromas, soft fruit and a dry 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.

Bordering on Tuscany and right above Rome is the lesser-known and lesser-traveled region of Umbria.  Here you can find some amazing, delightfully undervalued Italian wines.  Join us Saturday as we taste through some organic wines from two Umbrian wineries.  Terre Margaritelli’s estate is spread over 60 hectares, all certified organic, on a beautiful hill, Miralduolo between Perugia and Assisi.  Cantina Altarocca is part of the Al Molino Gualtieri Organic Farm situated at the foot of the Rocca Ripesena tuff hillock, a few kilometers from the picturesque town of Orvieto. Come discover some great values.
 
2015 Terre Margaritelli,  Pietramala $12
85% Trebbiano, 15% Pecorino
From Torgiano, a small hill town in the heart of Umbria, the Pietramala has lovely grassy aromas and slightly citrus flavors and a fresh finish.
 
2015 Terre Margaritelli,  Costellato  $17
Trebbiano, Fiano, Chardonnay and Viognier
A rich Umbrian white blend, the Costellato evokes the golden stars of a September night in the ancient Umbrian village of Miralduolo.  The happy marriage of Trebbiano, Fiano, Chardonnay and Viognier give life to the dense structure and perfume of an elegant bouquet and a round body.
 
2016 Terre Margaritelli, Venturosa Rosato di Torgiano $10 
Sangiovese
A Rosé from Sangiovese grapes that reveals the freshness and floral notes of the varietal.    The wine has good strawberry fruit and long lingering finish.
 
2015 Cantina Altarocca, Librato Umbria Rosso  $16
70% Cabernet Franc, 30% Canaiolo
The Librato has intense and harmonious aromas with notes of red fruit. The palate is full and balanced, with elegant notes of fruit and smooth tannins.  No oak is used during the wine making to highlight the fruit.
 
2015 Terre Margaritelli,  Mirantico $20
Sangiovese, Malbec, Canajolo
Miràntico takes its name from the ancient Umbrian village of Miralduolo.   The blend of the Sangiovese, Malbec, and Canajolo enhance their resting perfumes and live for a short time in French oak barrels.

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.

Piedmont & Sicily

at Cascina Spinasse

with Bill Elbring from North Berkeley Imports

Tuesday, April 17th

Noon to 2pm

3-courses with wine

$55 per person (+ tax & gratuity)

Spinasse and North Berkeley Imports have put together a great line up of wines from Mt. Etna, the island of Salina, and Piedmonte matched to Spinasse’s incredible food. It is an experience not to be missed.

2014 Murgo Brut Rosé
This is one of the most distinctive and special sparkling wines in the world, a traditional-method bubbly made on the slopes of Sicily’s Mount Etna from Nerello Mascalese, and aged on its lees for 3 years.

Mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette and radish.

2016 Caravaglio Malvasia, Secca Islola di Salina
From the island of Salina, Part of the Aeolian Island chain off the coast of Sicily where this single-vineyard stretches up the steep slope of an ancient volcano in the Malfa district (the highest quality vine-growing area). The soils are a combination of volcanic sand and rock. The wine has notes of cardamom-spiced pears, white peach, preserved lemon; plush, complex yet balanced.

Veal raviolini with green garlic ragù.

2012 Azienda Agricola Rochi, Barbaresco “Rochi” Cru
Winemaker Giancarlo Rocca and three generations of the Rocca clan live in a house built by the family, surrounded by ‘Ronchi’ cru vines.

Agnello Milanese with roasted chestnut-leek sauce.

2013 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo
Fratelli Alessandria is one of Piedmont’s under-the-radar jewels. The Alessandrias make compelling, classically-built wines from estate vineyards in Verduno and Monforte d’Alba

2013 Caravaglio Malvasia di Lipari Passito DOC
For desert this Passito with clear and defined aromas of dried apricot and yellow flowers of broom, dates, dried figs and slight mineral and salty puffs. In the mouth it expresses a great sapid energy.

Call {206} 251-7673 for a reservation

Cascina Spinasse

1531 14^th Ave.

Seattle WA 98122

It looks like another grey and wet weekend here in Madrona.  But here at the wine shop we have a few things lined up to brighten our moods if not the sky.

Saturday, we have five Tempranillos from a pair of Spanish wineries —Bodegas Frontauras y Nexus.  Come taste the variety of this great grape.  Loreto Herrero, from the winery will be here to talk about the wines
2015 Nexus One  $15
2014 Domino de Valdelacasa Cosecha $15
2011 Nexus Crianza  $26
2009 Frontaura, Crianza $30
2006 Frontaura, Aponte Reserva $30

Sunday we are pouring a pair of organic wines from France.  Got your taxes done? Come spend the refund, or drown your sorrows with these two French beauties.
2016 Bargemone Coteaux d’Aix Blanc $13
50% Rolle, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Ugni Blanc
This classic, unoaked white is light, crisp and refreshing, offering delicate citrus, mineral and floral character with a lingering finish. Organic. 13% alcohol by volume
Bulliat Beaujolais Villages $12
Gamay
A nice entry Gamay. Bright cherry color. Aromas of red fruits dominated by strawberries and blackcurrant with very fine tannins. Organic. 12.5% 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.

This Saturday we are featuring a full lineup of Spanish Tempranillos from sister wineries Nexus One (Ribera del Duero) and Fontaura (Toro).  The winery of the Palacio de los Frontaura y Victoria was born out of the effort started a decade ago in the Pago de Valdelacasa vineyards. At present, this winery has the capacity to elaborate 700,000 kilos of grapes, of which 500,000 come from own estate and the rest from old vines from other growers in the area.   Nexus One is located in the heart of Ribera del Duero, 40 hectares of vineyards of Tempranillo Tinta Fina.  Loreto Herrero, the representative of the winery will be here to talk about the wines.

2015 Nexus One  $15
100% Tempranillo Tinta Fina
The Nexus One has aromas of intensity and freshness. At first floral touches appear followed by subtle aromas of red fruit with dairy notes and hints of caramel.

2014 Domino de Valdelacasa Cosecha $15
100% Tempranillo, Tinta de Toro
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.

2011 Nexus Crianza  $26
Made from old vine Tinta Fina, the Nexus Crainza ages for 13 months in French Oak casks.  This medium-bodied wine is very intense and fresh on the nose. Floral aromas are followed by slightly ripe fruit and walnuts, and balsamic hints make of it an interesting and distinguished wine.  It has a great balance of taste that on the palate makes an explosion of red fruit. Delicate wood makes it more complex, smooth and velvety.

2009 Frontaura, Crianza $30
Old vine Tinta de Toro, the Frontaura Crianza is full of very ripe dark forest fruit, with well-balanced firm tannins and acidity. It is all combined with a great little cigar box which you open on a cold winters eve. The complexity of the tobacco adds an additional dimension to this wine. The finish is rather fresh with a nice touch of bitterness at the end.

2006 Frontaura, Aponte Reserva $30
The flagship of the Toro winery the Aponte ages for 20 months in new French Allier oak casks.  It is powerful, open and clean with prominent aromas of red fruit and eucalyptus, together with the elegance of the vanilla and the coconut on the nose. Notes of black fruit and licorice stand out at the end. The mouth is delicate, velvety and intense. It is a sweet and long wine with hints of tobacco, coconut, mineral and spice.

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 a soggy Saturday here in Madrona, but we have a full line up of wines tor try.  So breakout the umbrella and swing by the shop.

Saturday we have Spring Discount Wines that we have recently got a good price on. Stock is limited on all these wines so it’s a good time to come and grab some before they are gone.
2015 Le Fay d’Homme Muscadet Sêvre et Maine  $12
2013 La Zorro Teso Blanco Sierra de Francia, $15
2012 Tacchino,  Albarola, Barbera del Monferrato  $15
2008 Marques de Grinon, Summa Varietalis  $22
2014 Chateau Mangot,  St. Emilion Grand Cru   $25

Sunday we head to South America to warm up.  We’ll be pouring the wines from 11 to 5 and from 1 to 4pm we will have someone to provide more details about these wineries.
 
2013 MontGras Sauvignon Blanc Reserva  $14
Pale straw with gold reflections. Delicate aromas of citrus and melon mingled with subtle herbal and grassy notes. Crispy and juicy, well-balanced and mouth filling, with refreshing citrus fruit flavors, a racy acidity, and lingering finish.
2015 MontGras Carmenere Reserva $14
Deep ruby red, this wine shows complex aromas of fresh ripe currant and blackberries with spicy notes surrounded by subtle touches of vanilla and mocha from the oak ageing. Vibrant core of ripe blackberry, plums and spice. Nicely balanced, deep and well structured.
2016 Caro Aruma Malbec  $13
Deep ruby color. To the nose, we find red fruits like ripe plums, cherries and raspberries as well as a soft spicy feeling. On the palate, it is fresh and juicy, a unique balance between acidity, gentle tannins and alcohol. Long and delicate finish.
2015 Caro Amancaya Gran Reserva $22
70% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep ruby color with violet hints. The nose presents aromas of cloves, white pepper, and raspberry. The sleek chocolate and tobacco finish has a pleasant racy edge. On the palate, the tannins are velvety with a long-lasting finish. This well-balanced, well defined wine can be drunk now, but will open up with more time.

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.

When it rains we pour.  This Saturday we’ll be shrugging of the damp Spring weather with sunny discount wines.  Come in and collect a few of these deals while they are still around.
 
2015 Le Fay d’Homme Muscadet Sêvre et Maine  $12
Melon de Bourgogne
The Muscadet is from 35-year-old vines and aged in traditional glass-lined cement tanks, offering a classic expression.  The wine ages “Sur lie” (on its sediment) for several months which adds body and mouthfeel. The La Fay is a fuller Muscadet, dry fruit and a nice minerality and a long finish.  Organic.  Was $14, now $12
 
2013 La Zorro Teso Blanco Sierra de Francia, $15
60% Palomino, 30% Rufete, 10% Moscatel
A unique Portuguese “Orange Wine” — aged under a thin layer of flor for 5 months in 3-year-old French oak barrels — unfined and unfiltered.  Aromas of grapefruit pith, jasmine, chamomile, and iodine, with a zesty mineral topnote. Dry on the palate, offering incisive lime rind and orchard fruit flavors with complicating notes of green almond and bitter quinine.  Wild stuff!  Was $23 now $15
 
2012 Tacchino, Albarola, Barbera del Monferrato  $15
This family winery in Piedmont specializes in Barbera and Dolcetto. The Albarrola is big, rich and deep. It shows powerful plum and dark berries on the smooth, brightly acidic but harmonious palate, with youthfully chewy tannins. A burly Barbera, this one takes at least an hour to open up.  Was $19 Now $15
 
2008 Marques de Grinon, Summa Varietalis  $22
70% Syrah, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot
Marqués de Griñón wines are sourced from the Dominio de Valdepusa vineyard in Castilla-La Mancha. Valdepusa stands apart from the rest of the region, as its 1068-foot elevation is one of the highest in Spain.  Its top layer of soil is almost pure limestone.  The Suma is one of the big guns from the estate.  It has rich notes of dark berries, clove, smoke and pepper. On the palate, layers of mineral and fruit notes are interwoven, accompanied by soft tannins, silky texture and excellent concentration.  Was $33 now $22
 
2014 Chateau Mangot, St. Emilion Grand Cru   $25
85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
A solid Right Bank Red with an immediately flattering nose of warm plums and other ripe fruits, spices, and wood; bright, fruit-driven, fleshy palate; long in the mouth with fine tannins.  Organic. Was $30 now $25

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.