We are ready to kick 2017 out the door and welcome in 2018.  Of course, that requires lots of bubbles.  This weekend we’ll be opening them throughout the day (The cork will come out of the Champagne at 1pm both days.)  Come by and raise a glass with us.
 
Saturday, December 30th
 
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
 
Dopff & Irion, Cremant d’Alsace Brut  $16
50% Pinot Blanc, 50% Auxerrois
A complex glass of bubbles with lots of toasty, creamy, yeasty notes along with apple and citrus fruit flavors.

Philippe Deval, Cremant de Loire Brut Rosé $17
Cabernet Franc
A very striking salmon colored Rosé with red berries (strawberries, raspberries) aromas. The flavor is crisp & elegant, with fruit and berry shades and refreshing aftertaste.

Champagne Moutard, Brut Grande Cuvée  $30
Pinot Noir
The Grande Cuvee is aged for at least three years. The wine is complex and nuanced, with fine, intense bubbles. It has a seductive bouquet of pears, grilled almonds, mineral notes and apple pie followed by rich flavors of ripe stone fruits, honey, buttered toast and a long delicate finish.

Sunday December 31st
 
Art of the Earth, Prosecco Frizzante  $14
Notes of green apple and discreet floral undertones. It is refreshing and lively finish with exquisite perlage.  And it is Organic.

De Bortoli, Sparkling Brut  $12
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
An Austrailian Sparkler with fresh fruit and citrus notes, creamy bubbles and a clean, crisp finish. A good value bubbly.

Antica Fratta, Brut Franciacorta DOCG  $25
90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Nero
Franciacorta is to Italy what Champagne is to France. The calcareous soils produce complex mineraled wines. The Antica Fratta is blended out of a library of base wines and then aged 2 years in bottle. It is an elegantly fresh, vivacious and full wine characterized by pleasing aromas of fresh fruit, wild blossoms and subtle bread crust.
 
Champagne Duval Leroy, Brut Reserve $45
Made using mainly Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier plus 10% Chardonnay, the Reserve is drawn from 15 crus, and there is a generous addition of reserve wines. It is a finely knit Champagne, this layers vibrant acidity and a lacy mousse with delicate flavors of patisserie apple and pear, biscuit and ground ginger, and shows a subtle smoky note on the lasting 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.

The Solstice is here and Christmas is on the way and we are opening some special seasonal samples to help make us merry.  There is something new every day and maybe a even a few surprises.
 
Thursday, December 21st
2012 Nitída,  Caligraphy  $23
54% Merlot,  21% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
A burly South African blend with rich blackberry, cassis and cherry flavors with tobacco and cedar notes.
 
Friday, December 22
2015 Villa Sparina, Gavi di Gavi  $14
Cortese
A delicious Piedmont dry white, soft textured yet richly flavored.  Was $20 now $14

2013 Tintero, Barberesco  $24
Nebbiolo
A fresh, ready young Barbaresco with core of cherry and red currant fruit backed by fine, food-friendly tannins and complex notes of rose petals, limestone soil, camphor, and fennel. Notes of violet, cinnamon, and cherry blossoms mark the wine’s lingering, smoky, tannin-dusted finish. Bright and generous, yet structured.  Was $30 Now $24

Saturday December 23rd
 2013 Colterenzio,  Lafoa Sauvignon Blanc  $25
Very intense fruity notes, reminiscent of elderflower, acacia flowers and sage; associated with fine wood flavors; a wine with pithy acidity and lingering finish.  Was $40 now $25

2014 Joseph Phelps, Napa Cabernet  $65
84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc.
A classic Napa Cab.  The 2014 is supple, with silky tannins, dark plum, blackcurrant and licorice-infused fruit with a touch of spice, a lushness on the attack and mid-palate, and a silky finish.
 
Sunday December 24th
2011 Paul Reitz, Santenay  $25
Pinot Noir
Drinking great right now. Good aromatic intensity reveals notes of red and black fruits.  An ample and rich wine, with flavors of smooth cherries.  Was $40 now $25
 
2014 Raymond Usseglio, Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Girard  $30
90% Grenache, 4% Mourvèdre, 4% Syrah, 2% Cinsault, 2% Counoise
From 80 year old vines, the Cuvée Girard shows a touch darker fruit and possibly more concentration, with building tannin and a solid finish.  Was $43, now $30

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.

The moisture has returned to Madrona this weekend.  But don’t let the dampness dampen you Holiday spirit.  We have a couple of tastings here at Madrona Wine to make the season bright.

Saturday it is Bubbles!
Come effervesce with us.  The corks fly out at 2pm and we’ll be pouring for as long as the bubbles and bottles last.
Cune Cava Brut $11
Antoine Simoneau, Touraine Brut Blanc $13
Domaine de Saint-Just, Crémant de Loire Brut $20
Champagne Lallier, Grande Reserve, Grand Cru Brut $48
Maison Parigot & Richard, Cremant de Bourgogne Rosé $24

Sunday we head to California to warm up with.  We’ll have a Napa Sauvignon Blanc and a Central Coast Zinfindal from the sunny state.  Both are great for parties. 

2016 Markham Vineyards   $14
Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley
Crisp and bright, with honeysuckle and tropical floral notes. Enjoy with food, or just on its own.

2014 Four Vines Old-Vine Zinfandel  $14
A full-bodied Central Coast Zin at a good price. 35 to 80-year-old vines. Dark berry notes, a hint of spice, ripe plums and black & blue berries.

Next Week as we lead up to Christmas we are going to opening a lot of fun stuff to taste at the shop.  Swing in and see what’s pouring.

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.

Things will be popping at the wine shop this Saturday as we let loose the corks on five sparkling wines for the holidays. Bubbles can make any event a little brighter. Come see what fits into your holiday plans.

Cune Cava Brut $11
50% Xarelo, 35% Macabeo, 15% Parellada
This little Spanish Sparkler comes from the well-known Rioja producer. It is a rich and crisp Cava with more body than you’d expect for the price.

Antoine Simoneau, Touraine Brut Blanc $13
100% Chenin Blanc
The Antoine Simoneau family estate lays in the appellation of Touraine in the Loire Valley where they have grown grapes since 1790. This Brut has a dominant fruity bouquet with white flower aromas and brioche notes.

Domaine de Saint-Just, Crémant de Loire Brut $20
80% Chenin, 20% Chardonnay
Domaine de St. Just’s organically farmed vineyards are planted on sandstone, clay and limestone soils in Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg. The limestone bedrock not too deep below the clay and sand helps to create a tension-filled expression of Chenin Blanc. It is a rich Crémant with fruity aromas followed by almond, quince, and pear on the palate. This finish has an elegant creamy texture with long flavors.

Champagne Lallier, Grande Reserve, Grand Cru Brut $48
65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay
Lallier is a very small négociant out of Ay, in the heart of Champagne. Their Grande Reserve is made entirely from Grand Cru vineyards. Spicy pear and orange aromas are complicated by notes of beeswax, chamomile and anise, with a nutty overtone. The Reserve is dry and expansive, offering pliant orchard and citrus fruit flavors and a touch of green almond which shows a subtle herbal quality on the finish, and clings with good authority.

Maison Parigot & Richard, Cremant de Bourgogne Rosé $24
Pinot Noir
Located in Savigny-Les-Beaune, Parigot & Richard is a 6^th generation family winery specializing in sparkling wine from Burgundy. Their sparkling rosé has the subtle berry fruit aromas commonly found in Pinot Noir. In the mouth it has character, vivacity and youthfulness, while staying round and elegant.

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 is a crisp, December weekend here in Madrona, but we have a lineup of tastings at shop that will warm you up.

Saturday we are tasting Burgundy and Bordeaux!  Stop by and try a few samples from the King and Queen of French viticulture. 
Jaillance, Cremant de Bordeaux Cuveé de l’Abbaye Brut Rosé  $14
2016 Chateau Lamothe de Haux Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux Blanc  $15
2012 Olivier Morin, Bourgogne Chitry  $15
2014 Domaine Regis Rossignol,-Changarnier  $27
2014 Chateau Angludet, Reserve d’Angludet Margaux $35

Sunday we are thinking BIG and opening Two Magnums with special pricing.  They are perfect for the holidays with friends and family. Both of these are a little lighter on the alcohol content, making them great for entertaining.

2012 Cortijo Rioja  $20
Tempranillo
A big bottle of Rioja for a little price.  Lots of ripe black cherry notes intermixed with hints of roasted herbs, loamy soil and spice box are found in this medium-bodied, fruity, spicy, fresh, lively red. 1.5 liter.  13.5% 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. 1.5 liter. Organic. 13% alcohol by volume

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.

Stop by on Saturday and try a few samples from the King and Queen of French viticulture. 
 
Jaillance, Cremant de Bordeaux Cuveé de l’Abbaye Brut Rosé  $14
Merlot
A sparkling Rosé from the predominate grape of Bordeaux.  The Jaillance has delicate, earthy aromas and flavors of wild strawberries and white mulberries, sautéed almonds, with a silky, vibrant bubbles and an engaging sour cherry, herbal honey, and chalk finish.
 
2016 Chateau Lamothe de Haux Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux Blanc  $15
40% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Sémillon, 20% Muscadelle
This 4th generation family run Bordeaux estate sits on limestone soil (its cellars being dug out of the rock.)   The Blanc boasts floral and fruity aromas and is fresh and round on the palate with a crisp, dry finish.
 
2012 Olivier Morin, Bourgogne Chitry  $15
Pinot Noir
Between Auxerre and Chablis, nestling in a vineyard lined valley is Chitry-le-Fort where Olivier Morin organically cultivates 12 hectares.  This Chitry is a great deal on a Bourgogne Rouge.  It has a fresh nose with notes of cherries and roses. It is light and supple with balanced tannic structure, evolving on notes of spices and red fruits.  Was $18 now $15
 
2014 Domaine Regis Rossignol, Changarnier  $27
Pinot Noir
Régis Rossignol’s first harvest was 1950 and he completed his 62nd in 2011 on his 7 hectare estate. Régis’ winemaking philosophy is very much to craft ‘vins de terroir’, and as such he has retained most of the traditions handed down to him by his father. The Changarnier is a beautiful wine with pretty strawberry and crisp red cherry fruit on the nose. Dry, with plenty of ripe fruit on the finish. The wine is no shrinking violet and has fine tannins and high acidity.
 
2014 Chateau Angludet, Reserve d’Angludet Margaux $35
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Surrounded as it is by Grand Cru Classé properties, Château Angludet would almost certainly have been included in the famous 1855 Classification, had the property not been broken up as part of an inheritance settlement.  The Sichel family bought the estate in 1961.  Since then, they have worked to restore and improve the vineyard and cellars, giving Angludet back the reputation its exceptional terroir deserves.  The Reserve is Fragrant and alluring, with classy, ripe, slightly spicy aromas and a palate that is rich, supple and loaded with exotic flavors of sweet blackcurrant, licorice and pencil shavings.  It has elegance, aromatic finesse and their exceptional ageing potential.

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 are escaping the dampness and spending the weekend in Italy here at Madrona Wine with two days of great Italian wines to please the palate.

Saturday we have a full line up of Tasty Tuscans.
2016 San Felice, Vermentino Perolia  $13
2014 San Felice, Chianti Classico$16
2015 Campogiovanni, Rosso di Montalcino $20
2013 Barone Ricasoli, Brolio, Chianti Classico Riserva $30
2013 Tenuta Argentiera, Poggio ai Ginepri, Bolgheri Rosso   $20

Sunday we are pouring two more from the big boot.

2016 Francesco Intorcia, Grillo $12
A Sicilian white with distinct notes of citrus fruits and yellow fruits, also ripe, and pleasant hints of herbs and sweet spices. Intense, rich and embracing, it is smooth and warm on the palate.

2013 Leonello, Valpolicella Ripasso   $15
Corvina, Rondella, Molinara
This is a strong, full-bodied wine with an intense bouquet of red fruit conserved in spirits with agreeable hints of spices and a well-balanced taste. This is undoubtedly a Ripasso wine with an impressive, distinct, tannic, clean and elegant character.  Was $22 now $15

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 is the weekend after Thanksgiving here in Madrona. As we were creative about what to do with leftover turkey, we decided to go Bold and Bubbly — with the wines that is.

Saturday we have a lineup of Bold, Rich Wines to please the palate.
2013 Christian Ninot, Bourgogne Blanc “Les Pellans” $20
2014 Christophe Pichon, St. Joseph $27
2013 Quinta da Romaneira “R de Romaneira” $15
2015 Ken Wright Cellars, Tyrus Evan, Claret “Ciel du Cheval” $18
2011 Quinta da Romaneira, Late-bottled Vintage Porto $26

Sunday we’re pouring Affordable Bubbly from Italy and France. Stop in and stock up.

Borgo Maragliano Brut  $12
Chardonnay
From the Piedmont this is a non-prosecco bubbles. Fresh with bright acidity and steady effervescence. The aromas are of citrus fruit, almonds and the aromas of freshly baked bread. Was $15 now $12

J. Laurens Cremant de Linoux Brut Rosé  $15
60% Chardonnay, 25 % Chenin, 15 % Pinot Noir
The Brut Rosé has a gentle yeastiness accompanying its effusive effervescence, but the real story is its rich, tangy, full-in-the-mouth, appealing fruit.

Reminder–
Our Barolo Tasting has been moved a week to Sunday, December 3rd.  Contact us if you want more info or to reserve a spot.

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.