2016 has arrived! And to start the year off right, this weekend we’ll be pouring some delicious wines to get the year going on the right foot.
Saturday We’ve got some great values from the Loire, Sicily, Rioja and the Piedmont, and we have a nice lazy weekend to enjoy them in.
2014 Pichot, Coteau de la Biche, Vouvray Sec $13
Chenin Blanc
This wine is warm, rounded and packed with fruit. Baked apple and spice are combined with almond and honey flavors. The wine is dry, very fresh while also concentrated and dense.
2010 Valle dell ‘Acate Cerasuolo di Vitoria $15
70% Nero d’Avola, 30% Frappato
Sicily’s only DOCG, the Cerasuolo has scents of mature blackberry and raspberry with notes of soft spices like licorice and cacao. The flavors are soft and velvety. The tannins are balanced. The wine is addictive, and now on deal. Was $23 now $15
2005 Leza Garcia Rioja Alta Reserva $16
Tempranillo
The wine is aged for 24 months in a combination of American and French oak barrels followed by an additional 5 years of bottle. It has a rich and elegant nose. On the palate it is complex with well-rounded ripe red fruit flavors, and has a lingering deeply fruity finish. Was $20 now $16
2010 Pasquale Pelissero. Bricco San Giuliano Barbaresco $30
A family estate, single-vineyard Barbaresco that comes from an 8-hectare parcel of 25-year-old vines at about 400 meters above sea level. The wine is aged for 2 years (90 % in large botte and 10% in New French barrels) The wine has plum, cherry, licorice and leather notes on a broad frame. It is tight and dense, with a lingering, fresh finish and dusty tannins.
Sunday we’ll be have two Rhône Reds to compare and contrast.
2012 Pasquiers Côtes du Rhône $10
Grenache, Syrah
Gluggable but serious, full of red berry fruit which makes it so seductive and easy to drink but alongside this beguiling fruit lurks a beautiful floral note and a sophisticated garrigue, herbal finish.
2012 Michel Gassier Cercius Vieilles Vignes Visan $15
85% Grenache, 15% Syrah
Made from 80+ year vines the Cercius has dark berries and wood smoke lifted by a spicy element. It finishes with gentle tannins and subtle anise and cola qualities.
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.