June has arrived here in Madrona with grey skies in the mornings and sunny afternoons.  Perfect days for trying a few wines.  This weekend we are practicing for more Trumps tariffs by drinking  domestic wines.  Come get prepared with us.

Saturday we are tasting 5 wines from Dry Creek Vineyard.  The winery is in Dry Creek in Sonoma, but they have a different picture of a boat on each of their labels.  Something to think about as you drink their very tasty wine.
2017 Dry Creek Chenin Blanc – $13
2017 Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc – $17
2013 Dry Creek Merlot – $19
2016 Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon – $24
2017 Dry Creek Heritage Zinfandel – $18

Sunday we have two
Domestic Deals from Napa & Sonoma.
2017 Kivelstadt Cellars The Family Secret  Sauvingon Blanc
$15
From a small Sonoma winemaker with an old world sensiblity, this wine is a composite of two styles of Sauvignon Blanc. The 50% in barrels bring texture and depth, which is balanced by a racy zing from the stainless tank. Was $19 now $15
2016 Meadowcroft Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $20
Dark, ripe berries with a hint of toasted oak aromas lead into dark chocolate and cassis flavors that shine through the structured, mouthfilling tannins that are silky and plush. This is sure to improve with age; best now through 2025. Was $30 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.

It looks like we are due a very pretty weekend here in Madrona and we have some very pretty wines lined up to go with it.  Come by the shop and have a taste.

Saturday we have Rich Burton of Locus Wines at the shop showing off his new releases at 2pm.
2018 Modo White: $13
60% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc
2018 Locus Rosé $13
42% Grenache, 31% Mourvèdre, 27% Cinsault
2016 Modo Red: $13
38% Cinsault, 21% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 14% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon
2015 Locus Red: $21
58% Syrah, 23% Cinsault, 11% Mourvèdre, 8% Grenache
2016 Locus Sagemoor Barbera, Columbia Valley $35

Sunday is Easter and we’ll have two French Rosés open to sip on as you hunt for those Easter eggs.
2018 French Pool Toy   $10
This playfully packaged wine (bottled in a plant PET fully recyclable bottle) is as serious as those other Côtes de Provence Rosé wines (well, maybe not) but it does have tart red fruit & a crisp refreshing flavor for the beach, park, boat, hike, hot tub. 12.5% alcohol by volume
2018 Figuiére Le Saint André Rosé  $15
25% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauginon, 25% Grenache, 25% Cinsault
Provence Rosé from La Londe-les-Maures, between Marseille and Nice, where the vineyards’ proximity to the sea lends freshness and soft minerality. Aromas and flavors of peach, orange skin and white flowers are accented by refreshing acidity and a salty minerality thanks to the influence of the sea. 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 from 11-5.

One of our importers just picked up the wines of Giovanni Sordo in Piedmont.  The winery has a good library of aged Barolos at prices that are quite reasonable.  We have an opportunity to order from the cellar.  Orders need to be in by April 19th.  The wine will arrive in August.  There is no minimum quantity and you can mix and match as you like. 

The venerable house of Giovanni Sordo lies in the heart of Castiglione Falletto and has been producing traditional Barolo for just over 100 years.  It’s a family-run winery now in the capable hands of Giorgio, Giovanni’s son, the third generation of the family.  Everything here is sustainably farmed, and current holdings come out to 53 hectares in total. The family holds an insane collection of elite-level cru vineyard sites covering the townships of Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Novello, La Morra, Verduno, Grinzane Cavour and Vezza d’Alba and they are the only existing Piedmontese winery that can boast offerings from eight different specific Crus.  

Please contact us if you’d like to have us order some for you.

We’ve added a shelf of “half-bottles” over the bubbles section!

Half-bottles are 375ml, perfect for having a couple of glasses with dinner. Or maybe you and yours want bubbles before dinner, white with salad, and red with the main, without needing to open three full bottles for the two of you.

And of course, it’s never too early to think about stocking stuffers.

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 weekend we traipse the vineyards of France, tasting the terroir as we go.  The wines on Saturday come from Petit Monde, a local distributor which focuses on small, sustainable, organic and more natural producers.  What’s that all mean?  Come find out.
 
Château Breze, Cremant de Loire $19
75% Chenin Blanc, 25% Chardonnay
Château de Breze, an enormous medieval castle that overlooks Saumur, one of the Loire’s most scenic towns, has produced wine since the 15th century. The Château’s crisp, chalky sparkler is made in the Champagne method with organic winemaking methods, indigenous yeasts, and 24 months of aging on the lees.  The bead is surprisingly fine and pure, and the nose and palate practically ring with fresh fruits, mineral and golden strawberries!
 
Florence Loisel Cidre Brut  $10
From Brittany France, this crisp dry cider has notes of heirloom, crab, & green apples, lemon, stone fruit, pineapple, and mineral.
 
2017 Domaine Couet  $15
Sauvignon Blanc
Couet’s Coteaux-du-Giennois comes from clay, limestone soils and flint, clay soil in the Loire. The nose opens immediately on beautiful exotic fragrances (passion fruit, grapefruit). The mouth is a model of balance: the size, quickness and length give it an elegance and remarkable harmony.
 
2015 Château Lafond Canon Fronsac $18
While nowadays neighboring St. Émilion gets all the press, there was a time in the 18th century when Canon-Fronsac was the most sought-after Bordeaux region. Although it is no longer poured at the court of Versailles, wineries like Château Lafond are still making full bodied wines with balance. This Fronsac has notes of ripe cherry, plum and blackberry flavors with an underlying tannic structure.
 
2017 Olivier Pithon, Mon P’tit Pithon  $16
33% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 34% Mourvèdre
This 9-hectare estate is situated in the village of Calce in the Roussillon The vines are grown strictly according to biodynamic principles.  Named after Olivier`s son, My Little Pithon is a wine made from young vines, with garrigue character. The wine has rich red fruit on the palate alongside an elegant minerality.

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.

Punxsutawney Phil ice-picked his way out of his hole in Pennsylvania this morning and did not see his shadow — a signal that spring is on its way.  Whether Tom Brady sees anyone’s shadow on Sunday is anyone’s guess.  But either way football season is over.  And either way we’ll have some California wines open for tasting all weekend at Madrona Wine.

Saturday, we are featuring the wines of Jed Steele a wine making pioneer in Lake County who has branched out to Washington as well.
2015 Shooting Star, Aligote  $10 
2015 Shooting Star, Blue Franc $12 
2016 Writer’s Block,  Cabernet Franc  $16
2016 Steele Cabernet Sauvignon Red Hills $25
2014 Steele Zinfandel Catfish Vineyard  $19

Sunday as we toast to the coming spring with two lighter bodied wines from California.
 2017 Joliesse Vineyards Rosé  $10
Zinfandel, Mourvèdre, Barbera
The Joliesse California Rosé opens with aromatic white floral notes with a sweet hint of ripe strawberry. Bright flavors of cherry and raspberry are accented by notes of citrus zest and a hint of rose water.  Was $15 now $10
2017 Angeline Pinot Noir  $13
A varietally correct California Pinot that is fresh and clean with strawberries and hints of orange peel. The wine is medium-bodied, crisp and vivid.

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 were following some classic Italian varietals back to their roots  We’ll be tasting a Prosecco from Veneto, two Tuscan reds, a Barbera from Piedmont, and an Aglianico from Campania.  They are all bold wines that will help to take the damp out of December.
 
La Luca, Prosecco  $11
Glera
The La Luca is a great everyday bottle of bubbles.  The nose instantly offers up bold orchard fruits, crisp pears, and lemon curd, all of which come together in a rich, creamy off-dry style that is extremely appealing.
 
2016 Carpineto, Dogajolo Red  $13
70% Sangiovese and up to 30% other varietals
A young “Super-Tuscan”, Dogajolo was named after the Italian word doga, meaning “stave” — the narrow strips of wood used to form oak casks. The wine is fresh and forward with a fruity and fragrant bouquet, along with some long-lasting flavors of dark berry and spice.
 
2012 Carpineto, Chianti Classico $20
80% Sangiovese, 20% Canaiolo
Carpineto’s Chianti Classico Riserva showcases and elegant display of persistent raspberry and vanilla aromas along with leather and leafy underbrush notes.  The palate offers almost-overripe plum, black cherry with a full-bodied texture and lengthy finish of black fruits.
 
2017 Viberti, Barbera d’ Alba La Gemella  $15
La Gemella was created to honor the winemaker’s mother.  This Barbera has expressive floral tones of wild rose, fresh berries and crushed mineral. Full-bodied layers of blueberry, licorice, and earth are perfectly balanced with a vibrancy of acid, silky tannins.
 
2013 Vinosia, Taurasi Santandrea  $40
Aglianico
The Santandrea comes from about 3 Ha in Paternopoli; planted at an elevation of about 700 meters above sea level on a chalky, rocky terrain, the vines are about 25 years old.  Taurasi is the Barolo of Campania.  The wine is aged for 14 months in French oak barrels and then an additional 6 months in bottle before release.  This Agliancio has very deep black and red fruits with hints of blackberries, plums, and cured olives; good acidity, ample smooth tannins and a long finish reminiscent of black cherries, tea, spices, figs, and plums.

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 rain is giving us a break this weekend here in Madrona.  While we are still digesting our Thanksgiving dinners, it is time turn our thoughts ahead to other meals and taste some wine.  We have two exciting tastings this weekend, so you’ll want to swing by the shop both days.

Saturday we are pouring BORDEAUX!  This is always a great tasting and today we have two with a bit of age on them.
2014 Château de Birot, Côtes de Bordeaux  $15
87% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon
2015 Château Val de Roc $18
2015 Château Siran, Saint-Jacques de Siran Bordeaux Supérieur $18
42% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc
2004 Château Grand Corbin Manuel, Saint Émilion Grand Cru $30
2009 Château Malescasse Haut Medoc $30
44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot

Sunday we are featuring VERMOUTH!
Vermouth is made with white wine, infused with herbs and spices, sweetened with sugar and fortified with liquor. BroVo, a Vermouth maker in Woodenville, highlights Washington wine in their vermouth, all from the Wahluke Slope.   BroVo reached out to local bartenders to have them create new recipes before settling on four. This Sunday you can taste their lineup.
BroVo Witty Dry Vermouth      750ml — $20, 187ml — $12
Base is Sauvignon Blanc from Wahluke Slope. Infusion of angelica, chamomile, lemon peel, rosemary, coriander, fennel, pao d’oro bark, orange peel, burdock root, cardamom, dried rose, sage, damiana, hyssop, thyme, and marigold. Sweetened to about 1.25% sugar with a simple syrup cooked with bay leaf and vanilla bean. Recipe created by Jon Christiansen of Monsoon. 90 points, Best Buy, Wine Enthusiast
BroVo Pretty Floral Vermouth      750ml — $20, 187ml — $12
Base is Pinot Gris from Wahluke Slope. Infusion of vanilla bean, cardamom, elderflower, chamomile, lemon peel, comfrey, and angelica. Sweetened with agave nectar
 BroVo Pink Rosé Vermouth      750ml — $20, 187ml — $12
Base is Pinot Noir Rosé. A hearty rosé balanced with fall flavors, Pink is combined in a three-stage process that balances four flavor segments- herbaceous, spice, floral and citrus. The herbs include summer savory, thyme, tarragon and basil. There’s a beautiful fall spice load- clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Then the citrus- orange and lemon combine with rose, lavender and rose geranium. Sweetened with agave nectar.  Gold medal, 93 points, Beverage Tasting Institute
BroVo Jammy Sweet Vermouth      750ml — $20, 187ml — $12
Base is Merlot from Wahluke Slope. Infusion of cherries, hibiscus, ginger, tellicherry peppercorns, coriander seed, orange peel, lemon peel, cacao nibs, and decaf coffee beans. Sweetened with agave nectar. Platinum medal, 96 points, Beverage Tasting Institute

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, after we have digested our Thanksgiving meal, we turn our sights to Bordeaux or what the British call Claret. Come join us as we taste our way through five examples of the region: some old, some new. It is a great chance to see how these wines can develop.
 
2014 Château de Birot, Côtes de Bordeaux  $15
87% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon
Located on the beautiful hillsides of Cadillac, overlooking the Garonne River 22 miles south of the city of Bordeaux, Château de Biro has been producing wine for over 200 years. Very balanced and approachable, the wine has dark fruit flavors and soft, spicy tannins and is a deliciously good value.
 
2015 Château Val de Roc $18
70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Val de Roc is the passion project of Laurent Vallet, chef de culture of Émilion’s famed Château Ausone. The sloping five-hectare vineyard is located northwest of St Émilion on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. It is a rich wine, offering a plush texture and silky tannins, leavened by enough acidity to age successfully for a decade.
 
2015 Château Siran, Saint-Jacques de Siran Bordeaux Supérieur $18
42% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc
Château Siran has a history in the Medoc that dates back to 1428, making it one of the oldest estates in Margaux. At one point in time, Château Siran was owned by the Toulouse Lautrec family. The owners were the grandparents of the famous French painter. Their Saint-Jacques cuvée is sourced from a plot adjacent to their Margaux holdings, but outside that appellation and hence much more affordable. This wine is smooth, rich, and beautifully structured.
 
2004 Château Grand Corbin Manuel, Saint Émilion Grand Cru $30
82% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine comes from another right bank property, located in northern Saint-Émilion, near Pomerol. It has a relatively light texture, the sweet berry fruits balanced with a layer of acidity and is still is showing its tannins, after 14 years of age. It is expressive and ready to drink.
 
2009 Château Malescasse Haut Medoc $30
44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot
Sourced from gravelly hilltop vineyards in the Haut Medoc, this rich left bank wine is approaching maturity. Secondary animal aromas, dried fruit and richness are showing well, allowing this ripe wine to shine. The warm 2009 vintage comes out in the density and the dusty tannins.

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.

Hey, folks. We are officially in the holiday season, so you can Tuesday to your shopping days at Madrona Wine Merchants.

This week, we are open:

Tuesday 12-7
Wednesday 12-7
Thursday 11-3 (yep, we are open on Turkey Day!)
Friday 12-7
Saturday 11-7
Sunday 11-5

Gobble, gobble!