It’s Mayfair in Madrona this Saturday, a day of events and activities in the neighborhood. To celebrate we’re starting our tasting an hour earlier. We’ll be pouring a lovely line up of French lovelies suited for a spring day, along with some extra special snacks and some general good humor. Sometime around 3:30, Orb will win the Preakness and knock off the second leg of the Triple Crown. Stop by while you are out and about and join us.
2010 Domaine de la Croix Ronde, Haut Valle de L’orb, Cuvée Jade Chardonnay $12
This unoaked Chardonnay is from a remote valley leading towards the Massif Central in France’s Languedoc region. Not to be confused with Burgundy at all, this warmer climate Chard has rich flavors of limey citrus and slatey minerals.
2010 Damaine Michel Fronné, Alsace Pinot Blanc $14
This Pinot Blanc is a well-rounded yet delicate wine that combines all the freshness and softness characteristic of this grape varietal. The Alsatian summers are notably warm for this far north but have cool evenings. This fluctuation builds the perfect acid levels in the final wine balancing the wines natural sugars with complex flavors.
2011 Domiane Aimé, Pays d’ Oc Cabernet Franc $11
Behind this wine’s beautiful ruby-red velvet color is an attractive, fresh and aromatic nose with all the green pepper and cedar of a good cabernet franc. On the palette it is pretty and packed with mature red fruits, yet has all the full ripeness of a southern French red. Organic.
2009 Château Chênaie, Faugères, Cuvée Conviction Rouge $16
35% Grenache Noir, 25% Carignan, 25% Syrah, and 15% Mourvèdre
From a 5th generation family farm in Faugères, the Conviction has a complex nose with aromas of undergrowth, wild fruit (fresh strawberry), and hints of freshly roasted coffee, chocolate, and gingerbread. The mouth feel is elegant and very supple, with fine coated tannins.