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!

This weekend we are gearing up for the Fall weather with some big reds set to take the damp out of a dark evening.  Sunday is daylights savings.  Come get ready to fall back.

Saturday we are pouring a bit of bubbles and some bold reds.
2013 Agusti Torello, Brut Reserva Cava  Penedes $20
2015 Borgo Scopeto, Chianti Classico  $12
2016 Croix Belle, Carignole Rouge Côtes de Thongue $10
2015 Chateau Haute-Serre, Cahors Malbec  $25
2011 Barao de Vilar, Statement Late bottled Vintage Port $20

Sunday we trip off to the Rhône Valley with two different expressions of the region.
2016 Montvac Côtes du Rhône   $15
70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Mourvédre
Domaine de Montvac has been passed from mother to daughter for the past three generations. The CDR is made from younger vines in the vineyard in Vacqueyras. Heavy mineral, smoky and earthy flavors overlay the dark berry fruit.
2015 Domaine de la Biscarelle, Debut d une Histoire     $15
100% Cinsault
The “beginning of a story” is from very old Cinsault vines in the northern part of Châteauneuf du Pape.  The fruit character is exceptionally dark, sleek and pure. A soft, floral and vivacious style, and kept lively with a balanced acidity.

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.

We get a little break from the heat this weekend here in Madrona.  But it is still summer and we have plenty great summer wines to come taste at the shop.  Stroll on up and check it out.

Saturday we’re tasting our way through Iberia with some delicious wines from Spain and Portugal. It’s everything from Brut to Bold.
Maset, Cava Brut Nature Nu Reserva $12
2016 Aves De Sousa, Branco $13
2016 Cesar Langa, Frenesi  $13
2007 Gaston, Rioja Reserva $23
2016 Maset, Mas Vilo Priorat  $25

Sunday is a Special Summer Bubbles Sunday Sipper.  We are popping the corks on three new summer arrivals.  We’ve got Spain, we’ve got Italy, we’ve got California. We got crisp, delicious and effervescent.  The corks come out at 2pm.
Mistinguett Cava  $11
40% Xerello, 30% Macabeo, 30% Parellada
Citrusy, exotic aromas and flavors of lime sorbet and leaves and lemongrass-ginger chutney with a round, vibrant, effervescent, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a graceful, refreshing, medium-length spiced green apple and pear and hint of mint finish with fine, chewy, fruit tannins and no oak.
Vignalta Brut Nature  $23
The Vignalta Brut Nature is a Method Champenoise sparkling wine with no residual sugar. It is made with 2/3 Friularo grape (a local red grape with very high acidity, making it is suitable for sparkling wine) and 1/3 Chardonnay. It is aged 4 years on the lees. This sparkling wine is fragrant with wonderful florals and is very fresh on the palate. . Was $33 now $23
2012 Sterling Vineyards Brut  $20
Chardonnay
The nose opens with crisp orange peel and bright lemon zest. Green apple and Alpine strawberry flavors follow, in a sea of delicate and persistent bubbles. Crafted in Methode Traditionnelle, the sparkling wine has graceful brushstrokes of fresh baked bread and caramel that lend depth and balance to the fruit. A kiss of minerality accompanies the long, lifted finish. An excellent pairing with a handful of toasted nuts, a pungent blue cheese or a plate of sea scallops in rich citrus sauce.  Was $50 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.

Just a reminder that we are closed Monday and Tuesday as per our regular schedule, but this week we are also closed Wednesday, July 4^th.

Saturday, we have some Summer Favorites
from Spain, France and Italy.
2017 Avinyo Petillant Blanc  $16
2016 La Rabotine Sancere  $22
2017 L’ermitage, Costieres de Nimes Rosé  $12
2016 Lucchetti, Lacrima di Morro d’ Alba  $11
2016 Domaine Durban, Gigondas  $30

Sunday, July 1st is Canada Day and
we are pouring two wines at $12. Mark will explain how our neighbors to the north celebrate.
2013 Parejas Wysling Marsanne $12
A full-bodied dry wine with aromas of nuts, white peach and spiced pears which all contribute to richly layered flavors that coat the palate with weighty texture and a lengthy mouthfeel. 103 cases made. 13.5% alcohol by volume. Was $15 now $12
2017 Chateau Rivière Minervois $12
Syrah, Grenache
A smooth and dark Languedoc red with notes of macerated cherries, black currants, raspberries lingering with white pepper spice, garden herbs and soft tannins.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2pm until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5pm.

While a big chuck of the city is walking or watching this year’s Pride Parade, I’m behind the counter with what you need for your pride celebration in all hues – red, white, pink, bubbles, cider, vermouth, stickies (and the English say). Stop on in, we are open until 5PM.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2pm until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5pm.