We have Easter Sunday and April Fool’s Day this weekend in Madrona, but here at the wine shop we aren’t fooling around.  We’re pouring French wines all weekend.  It’s a festive, frolicking welcome to spring. Bring your bunny and hop on in and join us.

Saturday we’ll be tasting:
2016 Brunel  de la Gardine, Cotes du Rhone Blanc  $12
2016 Patient Cottat,  Sancerre Anciennes Vignes  $23
2017 Château de Campuget Rosé  $11
2014 Brulieres de Beychevelle, Haut Medoc  $20
2015 Chateau Pesquie, Quintessence Rouge  $22

Sunday the fun continues:
2014 Château Ducasse Graves Blanc $15
60% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc
This mineral streaked Grave comes from 40-year-old vines. The Sauvignon Blanc brings aromas of pineapple, citrus and white flowers while the Semillon adds complexity and roundness. It is tangy, with savory notes backed by a core of bitter citrus and followed by a crisp finish.  12.5% alcohol by volume. Was $17 now $15
2014 Saint Roch Lirac  $12
50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 20% Syrah
A smooth and supple Southern Rhone red with Garrigue notes, plumy fruit and smooth tannins.

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.

Join us this Saturday as we frolic around France tasting some of our favorite fermentations.  We’ll be tasting some fine examples from the Rhone, the Loire, Nimes, and Bordeaux.  Swing by.
 
2016 Brunel de la Gardine, Cotes du Rhone Blanc  $12
40% Roussanne, 20% Viognier, 20% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette, 10% Bourboulenc
The Brunel family has been in the CDP region since the 17th century, making wine for five generations. The first vineyard was purchased from the Bishop of Avignon line the north. In 1971, André Brunel took over the reins of the Domaine. The Gardine Blanc has very citrusy notes of lemon and grapefruit and a fresh minerally finish.
 
2016 Patient Cottat, Sancerre Anciennes Vignes  $23
Sauvignon Blanc
From 30-to 35-year-old vines on limestone soil, the Anciennes Vignes’s lively gooseberry and jicama notes zip along, while a twinge of salty mineral notes add crunch on the finish. Fresh and very bracing in feel.
 
2017 Château de Campuget Rosé  $11
Campuget in Costieres de Nimes is a beautiful property dating back to 1640. The soil is typical for the region, with many stones that force roots to find water deep in the lower layers of clay, contributing additional character to the wine.  Their always solid Rosé is full of raspberries and strawberries and has a good, refreshing acidity.
 
2014 Brulieres de Beychevelle, Haut Medoc  $20
82% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine comes from vineyards owned by Château Beychevelle that lie just outside the Saint-Julien appellation.   Leafy cassis aroma. Dry but extremely creamy in texture, like a creamy coffee but with black fruits through the middle, dark texture and layers of attractive fruit and acidity.

2015 Chateau Pesquie, Quintessence Rouge  $22
80% Syrah, 20% Grenache
The Chaudière Family  started this cuvee in 1990 and chose the name “Quintessence” to highlight the exception and the concentration of this wine.  Complex and powerful yet with a great balance and a beautiful freshness, it is the result of a drastic parcel selection. Deep ruby color. Intense nose with spicy notes (especially black pepper) and red berries. This very balanced wine offers very round tannins and fresh berries aromas, with some floral and spicy flavors.

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

It has been a crazy week for weather here in Madrona with clear sunny skies one day and snow the next.  That’s Spring in Seattle.  This weekend we’ll be pouring three Rosés in hopes of the sun breaking through the clouds.

Saturday we are pouring some fresh local wines from Sleight of Hand Cellars (Walla Walla) and Torii Mor (Willamette Valley).  Go smell the cherry blossoms then come by and taste the taste of spring.
2017 Mr. Pink Rosé  $13
2017 Sleight of Hand Cellars, The Magician’s Assistant Rosé  $15
2016 Torii Mor Pinot Gris  $15
2015 Torii Mor Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $20
2015 Sleight of Hand Cellars, The Spellbinder  $20

Sunday we’ll be sipping on some Southern French wines to celebrate Spring and our new Art Show.
2017 Domaine de Pellehaut, Harmonie de Gascogne Rosé $10
Tannat, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec
The new vintage of this Gascogne rosé has aromas of gooseberry, raspberry, & flowers lead to a balanced palate of aromatic richness.
2015 Domaine Girard, Malepère $12
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc
An unoaked blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from a rarely seen Languedoc AOC.  It is a supple, with fine tannins and a smooth mouthfeel, and ripe blue and red fruit flavors that are accented by spicy notes on palate and the finish.

Sunday is also the Artist Reception for Eric Brown’s series of oil paintings: Views of Olympic National Park.  Come meet the artist from 3 to 5pm.

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

Spring is here and we are pouring some fresh local wines from Sleight of Hand Cellars (Walla Walla) and Torii Mor (Willamette Valley). Mr. Pink also comes back for his yearly appearance. Go smell the cherry blossoms then come by and taste the taste of spring.

2017 Mr. Pink Rosé $13
Sangiovese & Syrah
From the Underground Wine Project (Mark Ryan and Trey Busch) Mr. Pink is full of fresh picked cherries, crisp watermelon and pomegranates, and lip smacking acidity to balance out the mouthwatering fruit sweetness.

2017 Sleight of Hand Cellars, The Magician’s Assistant Rosé $15
This 100% Cabernet Franc Rosé hails from Blackrock Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. It has a gorgeous, pale salmon-pink color, with aromas and flavors of white flowers, juicy strawberries, red cherries, and wet stones. The minerality and fresh acidity keep this rosé light and bright.

2016 Torii Mor Pinot Gris $15
Torii Mor’s 2016 Pinot Gris displays a light golden color, with a forward aroma of fresh pears and ripe apples with honeysuckle floral notes. The flavors show a refreshing acidity, followed by those same notes of ripe apples and pears beautifully balanced with delicate aromatic spice notes. The finish has a long somewhat austere finish.

2015 Torii Mor Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $20
The 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir has rich aromas of wild flowers and roses, mixed in with complex red and dark berries, including cherries. The flavors are fresh, rich and sweet. The entry is forward, sweet and spicy, the fresh acidity enhances the rich and complex fruity center of sweet darker berries and cherries, the mid palate carries on that velvet-fruity goodness to a long, enjoyable aftertaste of pure Oregon Pinot Noir. The mouthfeel is rich and elegant. The finish is very long, sweet, with the complexity of fruit, juicy tannins and a hint of spices

2015 Sleight of Hand Cellars, The Spellbinder $20
46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc 
Elegant and full-bodied, while still approachable, it boasts fresh fruit aromas and flavors of black cherries, raspberries, and currants, with just a hint of cedar from older French oak barrels in which it was aged. The tannins are completely resolved, providing a plush textured finish.

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

Alcesti is a family-owned winery located in the Marsala growing region of Sicily.  Gianfranco Palladino, along with his sister, wife, mother and father, proudly share in the operation of this winery.  The rich soils of the vineyards, their hard work and care, along with the Sicilian sun, allow the roots of the vines to grow and produce exquisite grapes. The 30 hectares of land that lie between Marsala, Mazara and Salemi, with altitudes ranging from 100 to 280 meters, express the typical Sicilian character.  This Saturday we’ll be pouring their wines including two from their Carmene label.
 
2016 Camene Bianco Terre di Sicilia $10
Inzolia and Grecanico
Terre Siciliane is the region-wide IGT title for the island of Sicily. Carmene is Alcesti’s everyday line.  Made from two indigenous varietals, the wine is fresh and crisp aromatic, and crisp with lively acidity.
 
2016 Edesia – Grillo $15
Grillo, also known as Riddu and Rossese Bianco, is a white Italian wine grape variety which withstands high temperatures and is widely used in Sicilian wine-making and for making Marsala
The grape expresses great structure and minerals.  The Edesia is a distinctly intense and persistent wine. It has a strong bouquet of yellow fruits with delicate nuances of citrus fruits and herbs with freshness and a tangy palate.
 
2015 Frappato $13
Frappato is one of the oldest grape varieties found in Sicily. Grown in the hilly area around Agrigento, it has a very pleasant and harmonious taste and aroma.  The wine is recognizable for fresh and fruity notes of black cherries, blueberries and raspberries and its soft and balanced finish.
 
2015 Camene Rosso, Terre di Sicilia $10
50% Nero d’Avola, 50%Perricone
The Carmene Rosso is a very friendly Sicilian blend with spicy aromas and bitter chocolate tannins.
 
2015 Nesos – Nero d’Avola $15
Nero d’Avola is the workhorse of Sicilian reds.  It is grown typically of inland hilly areas and expresses all the Sicilian terroir.  The Nesos has an intense ruby red in color, with an embracing aroma of red-berried fruits blended with notes of spices and vanilla. It is rich, ample and persistent on the palate with a distinct but pleasant note of freshness.

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

We have a beautiful weekend here in Madrona and it is starting to look like spring.  Sunday we turn the clocks ahead an hour and we are looking forward to the longer evenings.  While you are enjoying the sun swing by the shop.  We have some great wines open.

Saturday we are tasting Woodward Cayon’s 2014 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon.  That in itself should get you out of the house.  We are also pouring:
2016 Nelms Road Chardonnay
2016 Long Shadows Poets Leap Riesling
2013 Robert Karl Claret
2015 Nelms Road Red Wine

Sunday we will have a couple of French wines open to match the weather.

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. 12% alcohol by volume. Was $14, now $12

2015 Tessellae Cotes du Roussillon        $13
50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre
From 70-year-old vines and brought up all in concrete tank. A ripe, expansive, full-bodied and undeniably sexy red that has beautiful notes of kirsch liqueur, blueberries, pepper and violets, it has ripe and present tannin, straight up fabulous purity and a great finish.– 93pts Wine Advocate

The Muscadet would be perfect with oysters or any shellfish, while the Roussillon leans more to grilled meats and vegetables, or just on its own.

Enjoy the Sun!

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

For four generations Ca’ del Baio has been a family affair with the vineyards surrounding the Grasso family farmhouse being added to over time through marriage and acquisitions. Today the Ca’ del Baio estate takes in 25 hectares of vineyards in the villages of Barbaresco and Treiso, both of which are in the Barbaresco DOCG. Come by on Saturday and give them a try.

2016 Langhe Chardonnay, Luna d’Agosta $13
This fresh and fruity Chardonnay is harvested during the first weeks of September. It comes naturally with a mineral vein from the vineyards soil. The fragrance is delicately floral and fruity, with notes of citrus and exotic fruits. The flavor is dry, cool, and long, with a mineral finish.

2016 Dolcetto d’ Alba, Lodoli $14
Grown in vineyards in the Valgrande and Marcarini crus this “very Piedmontese” wine encapsulates the simple pleasures of everyday life. The aroma is intense and vinous, with delicate fruity overtones reminiscent of cherries, wild strawberries and blackberries; taste dry, with good balance and acidity.

2016 Langhe, Nebbiolo $15
From younger vines, the Lanhe neb is aged in stainless steel tanks for 4 months before bottling. The wine is fresh but still retains its Nebbiolo character with aromas of fragrant dried flowers, geraniums and slight fruity overtones reminiscent of raspberries. The taste is warm and soft with slightly tannic overtones.

2014 Barbaresco, Autinbej $29
Autinbej is made from the best and sunniest parts of their different crus. It is a tribute to Giulio Grasso’s late father, Ernesto, who often used the Piemontese word to describe the best vineyard exposures. The wine macerates on the skins from 9 to 15 days and then matures for 24 months in large Slavonian oak barrels (boti). The nose is an intense, fruity aroma reminiscent of raspberries, jam, and violets that give an ethereal feeling accompanied by sweet spicy notes and hints of cocoa. In the mouth, Autinbej is warm, long, persistent and slightly tannic with an aftertaste of fruity notes.

2016 Moscato d’Asti, Particella 101 $15
Made from grapes grown on land registry plot number 101 located in Tre Stelle, the 101 has intense aromas with fruity hints of apricot and linden blossom, a sweet light taste with good acidity and a long, fresh finish.

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