Saturday, we are heading to the other end of the globe and taking a tasting tour of South Africa.  Come see the variety of Franschhoek, Paarl, and Walker Bay.  Come take a Saturday Safari with us.
 
2015 Southern Right, Walker Bay, Sauvignon Blanc $17
Southern Right is a small Sauvignon Blanc specialist located on a strikingly beautiful 448-hectare property just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The wines are named after the rare Southern Right whales, which frequent the cool South Atlantic Walker Bay, 3 kms from the vineyards.  The wine is Juicy and well-built, with a solid core of lemon zest and pith notes stretching out through the finish, picking up gooseberry, jicama and verbena accents.
 
2015 Tormentoso, Paarl, Old Vine Cinsault $13
Cinsault has been grown in South Africa for many generations and blended with Cabernet and Shiraz to soften their tannins. Older, bush-vine vineyards planted without irrigation provide the grapes for this distinctive Cinsault, showing faint spice, cinnamon and red cherries on the nose, followed through by strawberries and cream on the palate. Its silky berry-fruit flavors are backed by earthy, cigar-box-aromas and soft oak tannins.
 
2014 Tormentoso, Paarl, Pinotage $13
Pinotage is the distinctly South African varietal.  This low-yielding, bush-vine vineyard gives Pinotage grapes with exceptionally concentrated flavor. The Tormentoso is a full-bodied Pinotage with hints of floral aromas and black cherries, followed by soft, rich tannins, along with plum and berry flavors.
 
2013 Chamonix, Franschhoek Rouge $20
35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot, 11% Malbec
The Chamounix Rouge shows a generous bouquet suggests black-currant, cedar with scents reminiscent of red berries, spices and vanilla. The wine is amply structured: full, round and smooth on the palate with rich fruit and length of flavor.
 
2014 Boekenhoutskloof, Franschhoek The Chocolate Block  $33
72% Syrah, 10% Grenache Noir, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cinsault, 1% Viognier
A South African smorgasbord, the Chocolate Block sources fruit from some of the best sites in South Africa.   The Syrah and Viognier comes from Malmesbury (Swartland) and is dry farmed to ensure it deep-rooted vines with concentrated flavor and tannin structure. The Grenache is sourced from Piekenierskloof (Citrusdal) with its very sandy soils and perfect terroir for ripening this grape varietal. The Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Franschhoek and the Cinsaut is from old bush vines on decomposed granite soils in Wellington. The 2014 is an exotic and vibrant vintage with an iron edge running alongside the inky core of prunes, mulberries, cloves and boasting floral notes. Bitter dark chocolate on the palate with cold soaked game, black fruit, hints of smoky minerality and oak spice.

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.

Saturday we are pouring some big shouldered wines from the Pacific Coast.  Come try these rich and robust wines from Left Coast Cellars, Dunham, Fidelitas, and Duckhorn.
2015 Left Coast Cellars, Pinot Gris, The Orchards $14
2014 Dunham Cellars, Three Legged Red.  $20
2013 Fidelitas,  4040 Red $25
2013 Duckhorn Vineyards, Paraduxx Red $30
2013 Dunham Cellars, Syrah $35

Sunday, the sun is suppose to peak out and we be tasting two wines from Sicily.  The Greeks, who settled in southern Italy and Sicily, exported the art of wine-growing to Italy. They were so impressed with the mild Italian climate, which was perfect for producing wines, that they called Italy, Oenotria, or the land of trained vines. Come by Sunday and train your palate. 

2014 Birgi, Kalura Frapatto $11
A cooperative wine from western Sicily with lighter, bright, fresh fruit flavors.

2012 Tornatore, Etna Rosso  $14
Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio
A fresh and pretty Etna wine with active aromas of white flowers and cherry notes. It is medium-bodied and has a mineral quality from the volcanic soils. Was $19 now $14

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.

This Saturday we are crusin’ down the coast and tasting some rich and robust wines from Washington, Oregon and California.  We gathered up wines that have full body and a lot of finesse.  We also managed to get a little special pricing for today’s tasting.  Come sample what the Pacific Coast has to offer.
 
2015 Left Coast Cellars Pinot Gris The Orchards $14
Located in Rickreall, Oregon just north of Salem, Left Coast Cellars is an estate winery with several distinct vineyards.  Originally planted in apples by the settlers of Holmes Gap, the Orchards block is now Pinot Gris vineyards.  The 45th parallel certainly does agree with this Gris. The wine has aromas of roses along with a citrus spiciness.  Citrus, straw and green apple unite in a harmonious balance that lingers long.
 
2014 Dunham Cellars, Three-Legged Red.  $20
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Syrah
The 2014 is an above average version of the Red Table from Dunham Cellars. The wine has aromatics of smoked brisket, creosote, black cherry and anise. The flavors are reminiscent of red cherry, anise, red currant and black olive. Lithe and polished, it finishes with a smooth mouthfeel.

2013 Fidelitas, 4040 Red $25
68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Fidelitas is a heavy hitting winery created by Charlie Hoppes focusing on Bordeaux varietals.  A plush Red Mountain Red, the 4040 has aromas of bright raspberry, red  cherry,  and  cola,  vanilla, sweet tobacco, and brown sugar. The palate has silky firm tannins, and red berries.
Was $30 now $25

2013 Dunham Cellars, Syrah $35
Dunham Cellars longtime winemaker Daniel Wampfler created this Washington Syrah from a blend of Lewis, Kenny Hill, XL & Phinny Hill vineyards, combining the state’s different growing regions.  The wine is loaded with aromas and flavors of red cherry, black raspberry, coffee grounds and sagebrush.  It has a wonderful tannic mineral streak that cuts through the richness.  It is a classic example of Washington Syrah.
 
2013 Duckhorn Vineyards, Paraduxx Red $30 (special tasting price)
73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 10% Zinfandel, 4% Petit Verdot
Paraduxx is Duckhorn’s Napa winery on the Silverado Trail that focus on blending. Blended around a core of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a structured and age-worthy expression of Napa juice.  Aged 18 months in oak (95% French, 5% American) of which 50% is new and 50% second use.  The nose offers deep, concentrated aromas of blackberry cobbler and rich brambly fruit. The palate is soft and rich, with balanced tannins framing lush layers of blueberry, blackberry and spice, all of which carry through to a long, supple finish.  Usually $48 we got a limited time price today on the Duxx.

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.

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 looks like another grey weekend here in Madrona.  That’s why Madrona Wine is hitting the beaches (several of them in fact.)

Saturday we are tasting wines from Coastal Regions, starting with British Bubbles from Brighton on to Rías Baixas in Spain, Provence in the south of France, and onto island of Lipardi off the coast of Sicily.  The bubbles start at 2.
Digby Fine English NV Brut $46
2015 La Canna Albariño $16
2015 Bargemone,  Rose $16
2014 Mas de Gourgonnier, les Baux de Provence, Rouge  $22
2014 Caravaglio, Rosso di Munti, Isola di Salina, Sicily  $25

Sunday we are pouring two easy drinking reds that are also easy on the wallet. 

2010 Bodegas Ayuso, Estola Reserva $10
75% Tempranillo, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Another great bargain from La Mancha, the Estola is a  juicy blend of fruit and spice blended together with oak aging all for very small price.

2013 Pamplin, Red IQ  $15
Pamplin’s second label that kicks out a good bit of Washington juice for the money.  This Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominant blend comes from some top-quality vineyards including Seven Hills, Canoe Ridge, Wallula, Tapteil and Champoux.  Aromas of herb, berry, cherry and toasty spices give way to clearly high-quality barrel aged fruit.   “It’s a No-Brainer.”

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’re dreaming of spring, this weekend here in Madrona, but the forecast seems to say we have to wait a while.  We’re also dreaming of good wine, and there is no need to wait for that.

Saturday we are pouring five Bonne Française focused round the south of France.  Come see how good these French beauties are.
2014 M. Chapoutier, La Ciboise Luberon Blanc  $13
2014 Louis Latour, Valmoissine Pinot Noir  $14
2013 M. Chapoutier, La Cibois Luberon Rouge $13
2014 Hecht & Bannier Languedoc Rouge  $12
2012 Chateau Saint-Sulpice, Bordeaux Rouge  $19

Sunday, The Rosés Are Arriving! It Must Be Spring!
It’s Old World versus New World with some of the first arrivals of the 2016 Rosé Season. Either off the boat, or over the mountains, come try some fresh wines just in time for the change of seasons.

2016 Clos des Lumieres Cotes du Rhone Rosé  $10
40% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre
Fresh off the boat the 2016’s are starting to land. Strawberry and citrus aromas followed up by strawberry and cherry flavors with spiciness, and pink grapefruit.

2016 Underground Wine Project Mr. Pink  Sangiovese Rosé $13
The new vingtage from the two bad boys Trey Busch and Mark Ryan. Crisp and floral. 

Sunday is also the Artist Reception for our new show of Drawings by Sam Birchman. 

Stop by from 3 to 5 and meet the artist and see the new show.

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 started out assembling a Saturday tasting of Chapoutier’s Southern French wines, but then a Pinot Noir from Latour showed up on the neighborhood, and then we wanted to throw in an organic Languedoc Red from H&B and then of course what is a French tasting without a solid Bordeaux.  Come by the shop this Saturday and see how Bonne they are.
 
2014 M. Chapoutier, La Ciboise Luberon Blanc  $13
Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino, Roussanne
Chapoutier is known for his Northern Rhone wine which fetch a pretty penny.  But his vineyards in the South are great values.  The Luberon Blanc is a dry white with aromas of white blossom, lemons and exotic fruits. Good balance between the freshness and roundness with great length.  13% alcohol by volume
 
2014 Louis Latour, Valmoissine Pinot Noir  $14
The Burgundy Kingpin makes this full and supple Pinot from his vineyards in Provence.  It’s not Burgundy, just good drinkable juice for the money. 13% alcohol by volume
 
2013 M. Chapoutier, La Cibois Luberon Rouge $13
Grenache, Syrah
A supple southern French red, La Cibois has complex and delicate with spicy notes (nutmeg and peppered) and black fruit aromas. The wine is well-balanced on the palate with black fruit (blueberry, blackberry and blackcurrant) flavor.  13% alcohol by volume
 
2014 Hecht & Bannier Languedoc Rouge  $12
Syrah, Grenache and Carignan
A great everyday Languedoc red with notes of red fruits and then, spicy and peppery shades.  Organic

2012 Chateau Saint-Sulpice, Bordeaux Rouge  $19
70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
The Saint Sulpice has a classic bouquet of blackberry and pencil shavings, ripe & warm on the palate, gentle tannins.  The winemaking is directed by owner Pierre Duberge and his son, Christophe, who take pride in producing a soft, fruity wine with a spicy aroma typical of the Merlot dominated reds of the “right bank”.

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 weather can’t seem to make up its mind this weekend here in Madrona.  Is it sunny or cloudy?  Will ti rain or is it snow?  While things here atmospherically sort themselves out, Here at Madrona Wine we’re sipping in sunnier places.

Saturday, it is summer in Chile and we’ll be pouring five wines from boutique, artisan wineries from that country. These wines just arrived in Seattle and show off Chile’s diverse viticulture.
2015 Maurizio Garibaldi, Mako $18
Sauvignon Blanc
2015 Andes Plateau, 500 Cordillera de Los Andes $15
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Franc   
2013 Puente Austral, Grand Reserva $14
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah
2014 Clos de Luz, Massa 1945  $19
Carmenere
2011 Blu  $30
92% Carrignan, 8% Syrah

Sunday we’ll be tasting two wines from the El Coto winery in Rioja. El Coto was founded in 1970 and its first bottling was released in 1975. El Coto’s 1,200 acres of estate vineyards are located in all three subzones of Rioja: Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja and Rioja Alavesa focusing on the specific character of each region.  This Sunday we’ll be sampling their fresh Viura based Bianco and their beautifully developed Reserva from 2005.  Age has its beauty. 

2015 El Coto Rioja Blanco $12
Viura
The El Coto Blanco is intensely aromatic, well balanced, with body and the fruit has a refreshing tart character. Pleasant acidity combines perfectly with an exquisite aftertaste of flowers, fruit and fine herbs.

2005 Coto de Imaz Rioja Reserva $20
Tempranillo, Graciano
Aged for 18 months in American oak, this Reserva has a fragrant nose of cedar, rose petal, cherry, and cassis that jumps from the glass, on the palate it displays an elegant personality, good concentration, savory flavors, and smooth structure. Was $25 now $20

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.