The weather in Friuli is in the mid 70’s and mostly sunny so we thought we would go there. But having missed the flight we decided to pop some bottles instead. Come have a little vacation with us. Friulian wines will be flowing all weekend long. Friday we will be pouring 2 lighter bodied redss for those of you who can’t wait.

Saturday

2021 Jacuss, ‘Forment’ Bianco $20
100% Friulano
This wine is fermented with indigenous yeasts for several months and bottled without filtration. With its rich body and distinctive hints of almond .

2021 Zorzettig, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso $15
A rustic Northern Italian red. Broad, warm, ripe and spicy, with notes of violets, plums, and strawberries. The fruit is captivating and seductive, with earthy aromas echoing cinchona and other balsamic notes. Well-structured and fresh with flavors of dark peppery spices, plums, licorice and eucalyptus.

Sunday

Pittaro, Brut Rosé $22
80% Pinot Nero, 20% Chardonnay
A champagne method sparkling Rosé fro Friuli. The wine has a fine and persistent perlage. The aroma is delicate with pleasant notes of red fruits that intertwine well with scents of bread crust. Fresh and well balanced on the palate, it has a good structure.

Ocyder, Sidro di Mele $3
Ocyder is an extra dry apple cider, a product of the Unterholzner family’s love and passion for Friuli, where they have been dedicated to the cultivation of apples for 50 years. The Fuji apples used are grown completely organically, harvested by hand, and do not undergo any post-harvest treatments.
Biodynamic

It’s Mayfair in Madrona, followed by Mother’s day and matched with some forecasted good weather. Time to Celebrate!

Saturday we are having a special tasting of wines for Portugal & Spain. It is a great line up and Chris Austin of importer Olé & Obrigado will be on hand from 2 to 4 to talk about the wines. Stop in and check them out. And of course we’ll have some interesting wines open Friday and Sunday as well.

Saturday – Portugal & Spain

2021 Nortico, Alvarinho $16
This 100% Alvarinho (Albarino) is from sustainably grown vines on granite soils. The wine features fresh, bright acidity supported with notes of peach and ruby grapefruit with a mineral finish.

2021 Caves São João, Espumante Rosé Bruto $20
60% Baga, 40% Touriga Naçional
Bairrada, Portugal
The Touriga Naçional grape gives intense rose petal aromas and Baga a bright red fruit character. On the palate, delicate and persistent bead makes for a silky, rich texture. Bright strawberry and red raspberry on the mid palate, complemented by mineral, white pepper and more floral tones. Racy acidity cuts a beam through the middle.

2021 Zestos, Old Vine Garnacha $15

100% Garnacha. Vines planted from 1950 to 1970. Tended in granite and sandy soil in the high elevation vineyards of San Martin Valdeiglesias, which is northwest of Madrid. Today San Martin produces some of the most floral and mineral-driven Garnachas in all of Spain. Supple and seamless in texture, offering juicy black raspberry and cherry flavors given spine by a gentle mineral nuance. Finishes fruity and broad, with a touch of white pepper adding lift and cut.

2018 Alvaro & Maria Castro, ‘Quinta de Saes’ Tinto $22
25% Touriga Naçional, 25% Alfrocheiro, 25% Jaen, 25% Tinta Pinheira
Dão, Portugal
Bright fresh cherry, pomegranate, candied violet, rose petal and flint on the nose. On the palate, elegant and fresh, with floral and spice notes wrapped around a core of fresh cherry fruit. Finishes long, with mouthwatering acidity and a consistent beam of minerality through the finish.

Sunday

Bottex Bugey-Cerdon, La Cueille $25
80% Gamay, 20% Poulsard
A lighthearted and light alcohol méthode ancestrale sparkling wine from the Savoie. Ambrosial fragrances of alpine strawberries and roses. It dances over the palate, just sweet enough, perked up by a fine bead and a crystalline finish crisp as a mineral spring.
8% alcohol by volume

Swing by the shop as we celebrate the first weekend in May. Friday we have 69 degrees and sunshine. Saturday is the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby and Sunday is Cinco di Mayo. Plenty of reasons to raise a glass of wine. Here’s the lineup of what we will be tasting.

Friday

2020 Ca’ Adua, Gavi $14
100% Cortese
Piemonte
Intense floral perfumes reminiscent of jasmine and white flowers; strong scent of green apple and almond. Its taste is well-balanced, very dry with a marked acidity, counter-balanced by a fine fruitiness.

Was $20, Now $14

Saturday

2023 La Réserve Saint Dominique, Rousanne $16
100% Roussanne
Mediterainee
Fresh and pleasant fruity aromas and white delicate flowers. Lovely balance for easy drinking opportunities. A very pleasant wine.

2017 Domaine des Penteline, Gadagne Côtes du Rhône Villages “Les Galets” $15
65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
This Village level CDR from the Gadagne appellation has a luscious nose and a silky palate reminiscent of a red berry with added notes black pepper, baking spice and leather.

Was $18, Now $15

Sunday

2019 Pomum, Columbia Valley Red $15
34% Petit Verdot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec
This elegant red is blended from Bordeaux varieties sourced from Konnowac Vineyard near the Columbia River. The wine sings with notes of red fruit and plum with herbs and cedar. A great value.

We are galloping around the Mediterranean this weekend like a wild horse escaped from Buckingham Palace. Trot on by the shop as we taste wines from Italy, Spain and Greece.

Friday

2022 Lyrarakis, Kedros Liatiko Rosé $18
100% Liatiko
Crete
This dry rosé from the isle of Crete delivers fruity aromas of several types of berries, perfectly balanced with a sense of chalkiness and notes of winter flowers. The mouth is long with vibrant acidity underlined by notes of minerality and an intense fruity aftertaste.

Saturday

2022 Vina Almirante, Macerato Albarino     $18
Juicy, clean and zesty on the finish, and chiseled in terms of structure and acidity. Very nice Albariño for the price, but we think the horse has had too much to drink.

2019 Bodegas Mas Alta, La Vilella Alta “Black Slate” Priorat $24
Garnatxa, Carinyena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
A single vineyard from one of Mas Alta’s four distinct vineyards with both licorella and clay-limestone soils. A dark-fruited cuveé is a blend of old and young vines fruit, mineral-driven and spicy, silky and elegant.

Sunday

2019 Antiche, Vigne Savuto Classico $18
80% Magliocco (Arvino), 20% Greco Nero
Calabria
A unusual blend from Southern Italy. Intense and lasting with hints of black cherry, black currant and berries along with notes of wild violet, spices and balsamic. Big and smooth with a fruity full mouthfeel, supported by good acidity and underlying tannins.

Spring is still chugging olong in low gear but today looks like we can give it some gas. Come grab a bottle of rosé and soak up some sun. We have a Sancerre rosé open today for tasting. We also have some fun things planned for the rest of the weekend.

Friday—Rosé Day!

Comte de la Chevaliere, Sancerre Rosé $18
100% Pinot Noir
This non-vintage dry rosé pleasantly joins freshness and maturity. From the first nose the style is given: fruity, liveliness, freshness and intensity, These characters are also encountered on the palate with the crunchiness of the fruit reminiscent of strawberries and apricots, some hints of citrus notes complete this round and tasty palate.

Saturday–Bubbles

La Farra, Prosecco Extra Brut Treviso DOC $15
Glera
The grapes for this sparkler come from vineyards at the foot of the hills of Farra di Soligo. This Extra Brut has notes of peaches, green apple and acacia flowers with an excellent touch of tanginess and a dry aftertaste.

J. Laurens, Cremant de Limoux Brut Rosé $19
60% Chardonnay, 25% Chenin, 15% Pinot Noir
The Brut rosé has a gentle yeastiness accompanying its effusive effervescence, but the real story is its rich, tangy, full-in-the-mouth, appealing fruit.

Sunday– Big Red

2018 Top Source, Columbia Valley Red $25
70% Syrah, 30% Grenache
Rumor has it that Cayuse did a bit of consulting on this project. But whether that is true or not, this is a bold Washington red. Rich, dark fruits enveloped in a beautiful bouquet of earthy, savory aromas followed by A full-bodied, multi-layered palate of black pepper, baking spices, bacon, black olives and dark plum combined with velvety tannins and a long finish.

This weekend we are thinking of spring. Wines that go with a bit of sun even if it isn’t quite warm yet. In our minds we are bouncing around France, Italy and Northern Greece, picking out wine with a fresh taste but still enough body to stand up to a gust of wind from the north. Blow on into the shop and have a sip.

Friday

2020 Marchesi di Barolo, Sbirolo Langhe Nebbiolo $18
A fresh Langhe Neb with flavors of tart cherries, roses, and hints of truffle. It’s a medium-bodied wine with a lingering finish.

Was $26, Now $18

Saturday

2019 Trimbach, Pinot Blanc $19
Trimbach’s 2019 Pinot Blanc shows a clear, fresh aromas of ripe apples and pears. The wine is round and juicy as well as savory on the pretty potent palate, and it reveals stimulating saline acidity. Very good indeed.

2022 Le Pech d’ André, Caracole $18
95% Aramon Noir, 5% Grenache
Languedoc
From vines planted by Mireille’s grand-grand-mother, harvested by hand, a nice garden-wine expressing all the qualities of this ancient Languedoc grape variety: Aramon. A bright and light red wine, with a flowery nose and tangy notes of redcurrant. Caracole d’Aramon can even be served chilled in summer. Organic, Natural
11% alcohol by volume

Sunday

2020 Plano, Malagousia $21
Macedonia
This northern Greek white, the Plano brings to mind a Mediterranean garden with green herbs, citrus fruits, unripe peach, and a wonderful green character reminiscent of green pepper, freshly cut grass, fennel and mint.

This Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Equinox. And you know what that means. Bunnies, candy and hiding colored eggs. But what to drink with the eggs after you find them? We’ll be popping some corks and trying to answer that question. If the wines don’t match the eggs, they very well might match the rest of your Sunday Menu. Come taste.

Friday

Potpourri

We’ll be tasting three red wines that are arriving today. a Chianti, a Mencia and a Teroldigo. Something for everybody.

Saturday

2020 Giovanni Rosso, Etna Bianco $25
100% Carricante
Sicily
Lightly fragrant and loaded with finesse, this focused white opens with delicate aromas of white spring flower, rosemary, thyme and Mediterranean brush. Smooth and fresh, the palate boasts a weightless, understated elegance that seamlessly offsets ripe yellow pear, juicy Meyer lemon and savory saline notes.

Was $30, Now $25

2017 Giovanni Rosso, Etna Rosso $28
100% Nerello Mascalese
Sicily
Intense, complex bouquet on the nose with Mediterranean citrus sensations, followed by aromas of violet, bergamot, wet stone, forest leaves and elegant hints of white pepper. Velvety, harmonious and fresh on the palate with sustained acidity and a neat, savory long finish.

Was $35, Now $28

Sunday

2021 Maison Calvet, Vouvray ‘Beau Rocher’ $17
Chenin Blanc
Loire
A very old school Demi Sec Vouvray where the slight sweetness balance out the acidity. Rich mouthfeel and fruit notes. Goes great with Easter ham.

We are sipping between the showers this weekend at Madrona Wine. Stop by and see what will bring some sunshine into your life.

Friday—a value Chianti. There is a lot to smile about here.

2020 Donna Laura, Alteo Chianti Reserva $16
100% Sangiovese
Clear ruby red color with clean aromas of wild rose, black currant and sour black cherry. Persistent flavors of red berries with soft tannins and an overall fine structure.

Saturday – lots of layers from the Loire to the Cali coast.

2022 Domaine Colin, “Pierre Francois” Rouge $20
70% Pineau d’Aunis, 30% Pinot Noir, 10% Gamay
Loire
This is and elegant Loire red that would please any Pinot lover. It has a fruity, spicy and fine nose. The flavors are layered, balanced, silky and well structured.
2021 Flowers, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir $48
First class California Pinot. A mix of red and blue fruit on the nose unfolds with layers of violets, spice notes. Hints of blueberries join a burst of cherry on the palate, grounded by fine-grained tannins and juicy acidity.

Sunday – you say Ribera and I say “what time is dinner?”

2015 Catania, Ribera del Duero Crianza $14
100% Tempranillo
Ripe fruit aromas with hints of cocoa and roasted coffee. A touch of sweet fruit on the palate with a backbone of tannins and a little acidity.

It is going to be a great weekend here in Madrona. It’s Sunny! It might even be warm!! Here is our lineup for the weekend. Clear through to Tuesday when Spring officially arrives.

Friday – Ides of March

2020 Klinker Brick Winery, Old Vine Zinfandel $21

Just off the boat, or rather the delivery truck.

Saturday – Two big Italians.

2020 Abballe’, Aglianico del Beneventano $15
100% Aglianico
Molise, Italy
This Southern Italian red has a rich, complex flavor with notes of black cherry, plum, and tobacco.

2021 Camigliano, Poderuccio Rosso Toscano $22
60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Sangiovese
Super Tuscany. On the nose, this wine shows very pleasant fruity notes of cherry and black berries, with a fresh balsamic sensation. A wine with a nice structure, a good balance between smoothness and freshness, a nice minerality, well integrated tannins and a long fruity finish. Organic

Sunday – Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

2015 Domaine Sainte Catherine, Côtes du Roussillon Villages    $15
35% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 30% Carignan
Languedoc-Roussillon
A rich Roussillon Red. Full of black cherry, berries and spice notes with a lot of depth. The age smooths out the rough edges. Was $20, Now $15

Tuesday – Frist Day of Spring
2018 Schieferkopf Silvaner Trocken-Sec    $14
100% Silvaner
Franken, Germany
This is not your großmutter’s Silvaner! It imbues floral notes (acacia) on the first nose, then the wine opens up and reveals fruitier notes (quince, peach). The palate is structured by aromatic freshness: broad and supple on entry, with medium acidity. Notes of white flowers on the finish. Organic
Was $20, Now $14

It is a busy weekend here at the wine shop. Today we are celebrating International Women’s Day with a crisp Austrian Rosé. Saturday we’ll be pouring an unusual Sardinian white varietal along with a Tuscan Rosso. Sunday we spring forward with another great deal from Finn Hill. Plenty of reason to stick your head in the door at Madrona Wine Merchants.

Friday — International Women’s Day

2021 Schlosskellerei Gobelsburg, Cisterncien Rosé $13
Pinot Noir, Zweigelt, Saint Laurent
This Austrian rosé has a nice and elegant aroma, fresh and lean texture and an acidity–piquant and smooth–for pure drinking pleasure. Made from grapes grown in the coolest locations in the region, it is more reminiscent of the character of white wines. Was $18, Now $13

Saturday — Daylight Spending ends

2021 Cantine di Dolianova, Nuragus di Cagliari In Cantos $14
100% Nuragus
Sardinia, Italy
This white wine has a fresh, floral and pleasantly fruity aroma. It’s taste is delicate and elegant, with a pleasant acidulous expression.
12% alcohol by volume
2019 Nottola, Rosso di Montepulciano $18
95% Prugnolo Gentile Sangiovese , 5% Merlot
Not quite Nobile but fresh and enticing with a nose of ripe cherries and plums, the palate is medium bodied and shows ripe sweet fruits, quite gentle tannins and fresh acidity.

Sunday — Daylight Savings begins

2017 Finn Hill, “Jolie” Cabernet Sauvignon $16
100% Cab. Sauvignon
A dark, floral, earthy nose with lilacs and forest floor, new leather and black pepper, with a whiff of blackberry jam hidden beneath. The palate is luscious with plums and prunes and mixed berries. The mid-palate includes dried strawberries and bay leaf, with celery stalk, white pepper, and dark chocolate developing through the finish. Was $30 Now $16