The clouds are supposed to give way to sunshine this weekend here in Madrona.  And here at Madrona Wine we are headed to the Mediterranean.  Come along with us.

Saturday we are pouring some of our Spanish favorites from Torre Muga and Juan Gil.
2014 Bodegas Shaya, Arindo Verdejo 
2015 Muga, Rioja Blanco  
2015 Muga Rosado
2013 Juan Gill, Can Blau
2011 Muga Reserva 

Sunday we sail for Italy.

2015 Terre Margaritelli,  Rosato di Torgiano Venturosa $15
A small-run Sangiovese Rosé from Umbria, the Venturosa has strawberry fruit and a long lingering finish.

2014 Degani Valpolicella Classico  $15
45% Corvina, 20% Molinara, 35% Rondinella
From Veneto, the Degani has aroma and flavor of dark fruits — plum and cherry. It is medium-bodied, dry, with good persistence, intensity and a bit of tannic roughness to make you pay attention.

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 pouring wines from two of our favorite Spanish producers.  We have the core wines from Torre Muga, a classic Rioja winery that seems to do everything right (for instance they have their own master cooper and three in-house barrel makers to get their barrels just the way they want them.)  We also have two wines from Bodegas Juan Gil who specializes on very modern but delicious wines.  Come by and see what they have going.
 
2014 Bodegas Shaya, Arindo Verdejo  $10
Bodegas Shaya is part of the Gil Family of wineries and is located in Rueda.  The wine is hand harvested and fermented in stainless steel tanks on its lees. It is a refreshing white with lemon, peach and fragrant floral aromas, a lemon pucker and notes of pear, melon, and apples.
 
2015 Muga, Rioja Blanco  $15
90% Viura, 10% Malvasía
Mugas Blanco ferments in new French-oak casks and then rests on the lees for 3 months before bottling.  On the nose the fruit (mainly citrus and green apple) is “sweetened” by pastry aromas from the fine lees and spices from the Nevers oak.  On the palate, the attack is at the same time mineral and silky, with pineapple, scrub land and vanilla.

2015 Muga Rosado $13
60% Garnacha, 30% Viura and 10% Tempranillo.
The Grenache a for this rosé is grown on north facing slopes , more sheltered from the sun and much cooler so as to preserve better the notes of fresh, sharp fruit, citrus and green apple aromas hints of apricot and faint reminders of pastries. It combines sweetness, freshness and acidity.
 
2011 Muga Reserva  $25
70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo & Graciano.
A traditional styled Rioja, the Reserva is aged for 6 months in wooden vats before spending 2 years in 60% new French and American oak.  It’s then bottled (unfiltered) one year before release.  Its rich layered fruit is smooth-textured and concentrated with notes of dark fruit, bitter chocolate and spices such as pepper, vanilla and a little mountain scrub.  The attack is broad and long, with an evolution in the mouth which spreads silky and mineral sensations before concluding with sweet tannins which still have a bit of “grip” and will benefit from some “time out” for their full integration.
 
2013 Juan Gill, Jumilla Red Wine  $16
Monastrell
Juan Gil Jiménez built his first winery in 1916.  Now in its 4th generation this family winery runs a collection of wineries in different regions of Spain.  The Jumilla Red comes from old vineyards with chalky, stony soils ideal for the growing of the Monastrell.  It is a big shouldered Monastrell, rich without being jammy, structured without being too tannic.

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.

While our celebrations have been dampened by the attack in Nice, we’ll still be pouring French wines all weekend long in honor of Bastille Day. 

Saturday we have a great line up from our friends at Barrique Imports, featuring:
2014 Grand Fief Cormeraie Muscadet
2015 Nature de Roubie, Rosé
2011 Maison Lou Dumont, Savigney lès Beaune
2013 Domaine des Amphores, Saint Joseph
2012 Domaine Labranche Laffont,  Madiran  

Sunday, we are showing off two French wines from the south.

2015 Chateau d’Eau  $10
Cinsault Rosé
A crisp and elegant Languedoc rosé from the signature grape for Pink.

Eric Jamet Le Sang du Peuple  $12
50% Grenache, 50% Syrah
A thick and jammy Rhône blend with lots of black berry and cherry fruit and a bit of toasty notes to keep the blood of the people pumping.

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.

Join us on Saturday as we join in the celebration with an independent line up of French wines from our friends at Barrique distributing.  Viva la France!

2014 Grand Fief Cormeraie Muscadet $15
Melon de Bourgogne
The Grand Fief de la Cormeraie, an ancient commanderie, was split up during the French revolution. The manor of the Cormeraie used to be surrounded by a moat and had a private chapel. The 5-hectare vineyard has clay & schist soils and 65+ Melon de Bourgogne vines. It is bright, refreshing, and impressively concentrated, with oyster shell and sea spray notes on the nose that in turn inflect fresh lime, grapefruit, fine acidity & a wet slate-like clean minerality on the palate.

2015 Nature de Roubie, Rose $12
From the Languedoc, these organically and bio dynamically grown Syrah and Grenache vines sit right near the oyster beds of the Mediterranean. The blend is fresh and pleasantly vigorous with red fruit aromas mingled with a perfect touch of mineral notes.

2011 Maison Lou Dumont Savigney lès Beaune  $37 
Pinot Noir
Driven by a passion for Burgundy and the dream of making wine, Japanese Sommelier Koji Nakada left his native Tokyo in 1996 and moved to Beaune to study oenology at the prestigious CFPPA. During Koji’s studies, and his subsequent internships in Bordeaux, Champagne and Alsace, he formed Maison Lou Dumont with the intent to produce pure, honest, regionally correct Burgundy of minimal manipulation from organically farmed grapes. Their Savigney lès Beaune is a full, rich, aromatic Pinot.

2013 Domaine des Amphores, Saint Joseph $27
Saint Joseph has a unique terroir. Situated at the western banks of the Rhone its limestone substrate under a sandy loam is perfect Soil for Norther Rhone Syrah  The Amphores is from organic grapes aged 12 months in neutral barrels. The 2013 Cuvee Rouge is an extremely aromatic wine with notes of violet, strawberries, cassis and spices. The mouth is full, complex and lively.

2012 Domaine Labranche Laffont,  Madiran  $20
70 % Tannat, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Madiran is an apellation in the Southwest of France in Gascony where Tannat rules as the main grape.  Madiran is known as the healthiest of red wines due to high levels of procyanidins. This is said to be good for reducing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and encouraging healthy blood clotting.  The Labranche Laffont is made in a combo of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels.  The wine has spicy notes and black fruits with subtle aromas of forest and earth, firm tannins and an ample texture that ends in a persistent 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.

While the forecast is for clouds and showers this weekend, we’ve been getting some pretty nice sun breaks here in Madrona.  And it is guaranteed that we will be pouring some liquid sunshine this weekend at our tastings at the wine shop.

Saturday we’re tasting some fantastic French wines from the Louis/Dressner portfolio.These minimalist whines produce maximum pleasure.
2013 Terres Dorees Cremant de Bourgogne, Charme Extra Brut
2013 Francios Cazin, Cour-Cheverny Blanc
2015 Terres Dorees Rosé l’Folie
2014 Domaine de la Pépière, VdP Rouge ‘Cuvee Granit’
2013 Eric Texier, Saint Julien en St. Alban, Côtes du Rhone

Sunday we are showing off two refreshing wines diverse parts of the world.  Both are great Summer Sippers.

2011 Coriole Chenin Blanc $10
From Austrailia, this Chenin displays citrus, fresh pear and green apple with hints of kiwifruit. The palate is lively and fresh with pear juice and peaches. A delicious white wine that finishes clean and balanced. 13% alcohol by volume. Was $15 now $10

2015 Triennes Rosé $15
Cinsault with some Grenache, Syrah and Merlot
Triennes is a reference to Triennia, the festival for Bacchus, which was held every three years during Roman times. The Treinnes Rosé has a bouquet of strawberries and white flowers with hints of vanilla and smooth full fruited mouthfeel. 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.

Importer Louis/Dressner works with growers who practice winemaking using organic viticulture, wild yeasts, hand harvesting the fruit, minimal chaptalization, light use of SO2 and no filtration.  This is fine winemaking at its purest, most fundamental level.  They are also wines that are not only complex but fun, and a great pleasure to drink.  Join us this Saturday as we taste through some of the wines from their French winemakers.
 
2013 Jean-Paul Brun, Terres Dorees Cremant de Bourgogne, Charme Extra Brut $21
Chardonnay
Paul Brun is known for his Beaujolais, but he also makes this very dry Sparkler from Burgundy.  The wine is a yeasty, refined Cremant with very chalky bubbles and aromas of green apples, pear, and lemon zest.
 
2013 Francios Cazin, Cour-Cheverny Blanc $17
100% Romorantin
Romorantin was once quite widely grown in the Loire, but has now retreated to the Cour-Cheverny AOC in the Loire valley, amounting to only about 119 acres split between 30 wineries.   Francois Cazin’s  is bone-dry with pronounced minerality, honeysuckle, green apple and lime
 
2015 Jean-Paul Brun, Terres Dorees Rosé l’Folie $15
Gamay
The Rosé d’Folie is fermented in tank with no carbonic maceration.  It is fresh and vibrant with raspberry on the palate and a nice lingering finish.
 
2014 Domaine de la Pépière, VdP Rouge ‘Cuvee Granit’ $17
50% Cabernet Franc, rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cot (Malbec)
This unusual blend from the Loire is grown on Granite soils and are thinned to increase the concentration of the fruit with the older Cabernet Franc vines help bring structure and richness to this wine. The Granit is crisp, with black fruit and violet notes and lots of mouth-cleansing acidity.
 
2013 Eric Texier, Saint Julien en St. Alban, Côtes du Rhone $23
100% Serine (Syrah)
Syrah specialist Texier makes this wine from Serine, a clone of Syrah, in Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Albanin in Ardèche which lies between the north and the South Rhone in both grapes and geography.  The wine has intensely perfumed aromas of black and blue fruits, licorice, violet and black pepper along with soft forest floor and a crunchy forward attack. It offers juicy cassis and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of smokiness. And it closes with strong spicy tannins and bright mineral-driven persistence.

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.

We’re celebrating Independence Day all weekend here at Madrona Wine.

Saturday, we are pouring Red, White & Rosé and if you taste them you won’t be Blue.
2015 Philippe Viallet, Vin de Savoie
2015 Le Galantin Bandol Rosé 
2007 Lopez de Heredia Viña Cubillo
2013 Nathan Gray Cab Sauvignon
Cantina Coviolo, Lambrusco 

Sunday, we’ll be tasting 2 Cork Popping Deals for the 4th or the 3rd if you can’t wait.

2013 Gilbert Cellars, The Grower White  $10
70% Chardonnay, 30% Riesling
An unusual blend of Washington’s two premier white grapes, is made even more mysterious by the fact that there is no mention of the grapes on the label.  The two varietals complement each other perfectly showing off the best qualities of both grapes.  And now it is Xmas in July– Was $15 now $10

2013 Mas Doix, Priorat les Crestes $16
80% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 10% Syrah
Priorate’s Crestes vineyards are situated at a height of 400 meters above sea level on hillsides of pronounced slopes, with the characteristic slate soil called “licorella”. A third of the grapes for les Crestes come from vineyards of more than 50 years-old, and the rest come from vineyards with an average of 15-20 years-old.  The wine has earthy, dark fruits, orange peel, chocolate, leather, cumin, and general freshness which continue in the body along with a boost of oak and dried herbal notes.  Was $25 now $16

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.

Start the 4^th of July weekend off right this Saturday by stocking up on some perfect wines for the celebration. Like our citizens these wines have emigrated from all parts of the world. But now are right at home at any picnic or barbeque. Stop by and invite them over to your party.

2015 Philippe Viallet, Vin de Savoie $12
An unspecified blend of indigenous grapes (Jaquère, Altesse, Roussanne) this Savoy white has a discreet and smoky nose with aromas of stewed fruits and notes of honey. The mouthfeel is light and straight, with a good minerality and a slight saltiness on the finish. 11.5% abv.

2015 Le Galantin Bandol Rosé $20
50% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache, 25% Cinsault
Domaine le Galantin cultivates 35 hectares in the Plan du Castellet in Bandol, arguably one of the best places to grow Rosé grapes. This classic Provencal Rosé has delightful fresh berry fruit flavors, spices and a crisp finish. Organic

2007 Lopez de Heredia Viña Cubillo $23
65% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacho, 5% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano
Lopez de Heredia is a very traditional Rioja winery, known for extended aging of their wines before release. From the vineyard Viña Cubillas, whose vines average 40 years of age. The soil is a mixture of clay and limestone. The wine is aged for three years, being racked twice per year, before bottling. This would be a Gran Reserva from most other wineries. The palate is tight but well sculpted and the tannins will surely mellow further with time, allowing the beguiling mixture of fruit and savory notes to rise from the depths.

2013 Nathan Gray Cab Sauvignon $17
The Nathan Gray wines are made for one of our distributors by winemaker Morgan Lee and Covington Cellars. This Washington cab has dark rich fruit with a smooth texture and a good tannic finish — not to mention a great price.

Cantina Coviolo, Lambrusco $12
30% Lambrusco Salamino, 25% Lambrusco Marani, 25% Lambrusco Maestri, 10% Ancellotta, 10% Lambrusco Monterico
From Emilia Romagna Lambrusco is the overlooked but ultimate Barbeque wine. The aromas are fresh and fruity but the mouth is dry and intense and is loaded with soft fruits and black cherry, full bodied, crisp and harmonic on the palate with a slightly bitter finish. Organic

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.

Doug McCrea pioneered winemaking with Rhone varietals in Washington State at a time when everyone else was focused on Cab and Merlot. Years later there are many Rhone blends ion the market, but very are a match for Doug’s. This Saturday we’ll be pouring the wines of his new project Salida which focuses on Spanish varietals. This Sunday we’ll have two of his wines open to taste, with special pricing to boot.

2013 Viña Salida, Albarino $10
Aromas of grapefruit, pear, white melon and bold citric elements, the wine zings across the palate with a relentless citric character, yet a subtle emollient richness, slight bitterness and great texture. Was $16 now $10

2012 Viña Salida, Two Coyote Tempranillo, $15
92% Tempraillo, 8% Grenache
Doug makes this Tempranillo from Two Coyote Vineyard near Zillah. A wisp of smoke leads into rosemary and sage with fruit tones of Marion berry, dark plum and blueberry and polished tannins that make for delicious length. 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.