The French countryside produces an amazing amount of solid quality wines that, with the exception of certain much coveted plots, sell for amazingly reasonable prices.  The flow is like a faucet and Madrona Wine Merchants is happy to tap into it.  Stop by the shop this Saturday as we’ll be playing with the spigot and tasting some great wine.  Come join us.

2012 Chateaux Martinot Bordeaux Blanc.  $14
50% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Semillon
Martinot is a 4th generation family winery in the town on Lugaignac.  Their Blanc has rich aromas of citrus and green apple.  The flavors are crisp but with good body.  

2011 Moncontour, Jovly Chinon  $14
Cabernet Franc
Moncontour is one of the oldest winery in the Loire Valley –The Château dates from the end of the 15th century. Their Chinon is completely Cabernet Franc, done in a modern style with ample fruit, ripe red fruit aromas and flavors of cassis, cherry, violets and cocoa. 

2010 Chateau du Bernat L’Exception$14
80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Du Bernat is a family owned vineyard with limestone soils.  L’Exception is a full bodied Bordeaux with aromas of red fruit with touches of peppery spices and lightly smoked wood.

2012 Domaine des Homs L’Amandier, Coteaux de Peyriac  $15
1/3 Grenache, 1/3 Cinsault, 1/3 Syrah
L’Amandier is a single vineyard surrounded by Almond trees that is organically farmed. The wine is made with native yeasts and no sulphites are added throughout the entire winemaking process.  It is rich, soft and full of dark fruit flavors.

2010 Andrieux and fils Vaqueras   Vieilles Vignes $22
75% Grencahe, 20% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah
From old vine vineyards and a great year, the Andrieux has beautiful violet scents and purple-plum filled aromas. The mouth has notes of cherry, black currant, hints of light spice, and touches of sandalwood. It is well rounded, smooth, and delivers a long silky finish.