We have had a beautiful start to September, but there is just the start of a bit of chill in the air that makes us reach for fuller richer wines than we did a month ago.  Here are a few new ones to the shop to help the transition.

Whites

2019 Domaine Jean Aubron, Sauvignon Blanc Vieilles Vignes  $14
A central glowing orb of green citrus fruit fully illuminates this wine’s intricate crystalline structure,  spritely and mineral.  Organic

2019 Cantina del Vermintino, Nord Est White   $14
Vermintino
This wine comes from the hills of Northern Sardinia around the town on Monti. The vines are planted close together at and elevation of between 300 and 450m and surrounded by dry stone walls typical of the area. This is a light, refreshing and dry wine. Straw in color with flavors of lemon and almond.

2019 Courtault Michelet, Petit Chablis  $25
Chardonnay
Crisp and pure on the palate, with white flowers, fresh, lime and citrus aromas. Pleasant mouthfeel, supple, crisp, fruity flavors.

2019 Marcel Deiss, Alsace Complantation  $29
This is a co-fermented field blend of Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Muscat à petits grains, Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner, Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Beurot, Muscat Blanc, Rose d’Alsace, Traminer, plus others.  Bright elderflower, mandarin, fragrant pear is stenciled with tangerine pith on a long palate, finishing with a gentle swell of warmth.  Lovely harmony here.  Biodynamic

Rosé

2020 Domaine Turenne, Camille Provence Rosé  $16
50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 10% Syrah
Camille Cuvee is a fine and elegant gastronomic rosé wine with an aromatic pallet evolving on aromas of peach. The attack is lively but balanced, finale rather long and fruity.  Organic

2019 Clos Cibonne, Tibouren Provence Rosé  $40
90% Tibouren, 10% Grenache
The vineyard’s oldest vines give its luminous color to this rose. Wide range of quince, grilled walnut and spicy aromas. Full-bodied, persistent and fresh on the palate.

Reds

2019 Podere la Berta, Sangiovese di Romagna,  $15
A great straight forward Sangiovesse from Felsina’s property in Emilia-Romagna.  Aromas of fresh-picked cherry and red berry, sweet briar and dried plum. The palate is crisp, enfolding, and energy-driven, with glossy, fragrant tannins and a long- lingering finish.

2019 Duesigneur, La Goutte du Seigneur  $15
50% Grenache, 50% Syrah
From 30 year old vines this CDR has aromas of wild strawberries, a thirst-quenching palate, and a superbly exuberant finish structured by silky tannins.  Organic

2018 Château Croix d’Allons, Bandol Rouge  $35
90% Mourvédre, 10% Grenache
This is certainly a wine that unravels in the glass, the initial nose shows bold cassis, blackberry and fresh herb along with notes of tobacco, leather, vanillin, and baking spice. As it unwinds this wine journeys into rustic cherry skin, cured meats, and gamey characters balanced out the rich, bold fruit. The fresh, fine tannins round out the pronounced flavors without making the wine feel heavy.

2018 J.L. Chave, Saint Joseph Offerus  $40
Syrah
Deeply scented aromas of dark fruit preserves, peony and olive paste, along with a spicy nuance that builds in the glass. Nicely concentrated and alluringly sweet, offering ripe blackberry, bitter cherry, floral and spice cake flavors that show fine delineation courtesy of a spine of juicy acidity. Shows excellent clarity and minerally thrust on the chewy, persistent finish, which features building tannins and lingering cherry liqueur and floral notes.

2018 Bodegas Renacer, Punto Final Malbec Reserva  $20
The grapes for the Punto Final Reserva Malbec are sourced primarily from the Los Patos Vineyard in Perdriel, where the average age of the vines is 80 years. A serious Malbec with aromas of wild berries such as raspberry, strawberry and blueberry mingle with earthy and spicy notes. In the mouth, the wine is juicy and fruity, with round tannins, balanced acidity and a long finish.

2014 Constantia Glen, Three  $31
67% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon
A high end South African Red.  Debonair, polished styling achieved without sacrificing ripeness. Red fruit with a mocha nuance, well-tailored into a plush dry tannin structure. Balanced & so tempting now, but greater rewards with time.
Was $50 now $31

2017 Fèlsina, Fontalloro  $66
Sangiovese
The 2017 Fontalloro is exquisite. It is bright and vibrant, with Sangiovese character luscious and dark with thick layers of dark fruit, plum, cherry, leather and tilled earth. It is also incredibly delicious now, but clearly has the energy to age for many years.

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Stay local for Labor Day.  Here are some Northwest wines that have recently hit our shelves with enough variety for everyone.

2020 Rock Meadow Cellars, Viognier $13
From Lake Chelan a very affordable Washington white the showcases a smooth rich body with notes of peach and pear and a touch of spice.

2018 Sparkman, Apparition Roussanne  $13
Apparition offers a beautiful bouquet of white currants, white flowers, honeysuckle, and toasted brioche that opens up beautifully with time in the glass. It has a honeyed pineapple lushness, and at the same time, clean, vibrant zest and brine notes, while staying perfectly balanced on the palate.

2020 Patricia Green, Sauvignon Blanc  $27
Willamette Sancerre.  There are less than 30 acres of Sauvignon Blanc planted in the Willamette Valley and Patricia Green works with three sites including their estate to craft this cuvee. The nose shows lychee and tropical fruits with a hit of melon and a bit of citrus. The palate is light with good acidity and a flavor set of orange blossom, lychee and melon.

2019 Roots, Autre Monde Un Syrah $19
This Columbia Gorge Syrah from Roots has enough earth, mineral notes to make it closer to Rocks District than Red Mountain, and the lack of new wood makes it a tad ,dare we say, European.

Two Mountains, Hidden Horse Red No.18  $14
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
More elegance than muscle, this good value Washington Red opens with rich aromas of dark fruits, tobacco and white pepper followed by flavors of blackberry, dark cherry and vanilla, framed in toasty oak.

2017 Fall Line, Cirque  $26
84% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon
Cirque Red Wine is cut from the same cloth and has a complex, Bordeaux-like bouquet of cedary herbs, graphite, crushed flowers, and cassis and black raspberry fruit.  Beautifully complex, nuanced, and layered, it’s not massive by any means yet is seamless, balanced, and just glides over the palate.

2017 Animale, Cabernet Franc Reserve  $25
Grown at a cool-climate vineyard site, these grapes developed complex flavors as they struggled to ripen during the 2017 growing season. Fragrant mix of blueberries and plum with piquant roasted red peppers. Flavors of black currant, plum, pomegranate, citrus peel, sassafras and savory spice. Firm acidity and fruit tannins provide balance.

2017 Animale, Petit Sirah Reserve  $25
Aged in neutral oak barrels, this Petit is packed with aromas or fresh blackberries, with hints of pencil, Frangelico, eucalyptus, celery, fresh-cut grass, and fresh-ground white peppercorns. Flavors of blackberry syrup, fruit leather, and lemon zest, with hints of cranberry, and black tea.

2018 Di Stefano, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon  $15
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot
Super smooth and polished, this wine is less about the rusticity of previous vintages, and more about immediate drinkability.  Crushed blackberries, Bing cherry and vanilla oak notes flow on a soft palate of ripe, fine tannins that finish smooth.  Was $29 now $15

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

One of our suppliers is cleaning house on their 2018 rosés and we went for a dip.  Dip in yourself and snatch up some deals.

Crisp and Dry
2018 Famille Bourgeous, Les Jeunes Vignes Sancere Rosé  $18
Pinot Noir
This refreshing, very fruity rosé will seduce you with its bouquet of ripe red fruits. It’s easy to drink, fresh and particularly well-balanced in structure and aromas. Drinking great now.
Was $22 Now $18

2018 Dovecote, Rosé de France  $9
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
A crisp rosé from Gascony.  With some heavy red grapes pressed specifically for Rosé aromas of white flowers and strawberries. Flavors of citrus, wild berries, and cranberries.
Was $16 now $9

2018 Domaine Pélaquié Côtes du Rhone Rosé  $10
70% Grenache, 30% Cinsault
This crisp Rhone Rosé goes on sale to get it out the door. Lighter and more ephemeral than the Tavel.
Was $14 Now $10

2018 Clos des Luminieres L’Eclat Cotes du Rhone Rosé  $16 — 1.5 liters
40% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
Aromas of of strawberries, a balanced mouth feel. Red fruit and cherries complemented with notes of citrus fruits, spices, and a minerally finish. The different aromas of each grape variety increases the complexity.
Was $20 Now $16

Two Anjou
Rosé from the Anjou region is traditionally lower alcohol, off dry, slightly sweet and very fruity.  They are a good match for spicy food or simple cheese plate.

2018 Château de Brossay Cabernet d’Anjou Rosé  $9
100% Cabernet Franc
An off dry (fruity) Rosé from Anjou.  Notes of red berries (strawberry, redcurrant), rose, English candy, with a fresh finish of mint and white pepper.  Round and smooth, with a liveliness that compensates for the soft sensation and refreshes the finish.  11% alcohol by volume
Was $12 Now $9

2018 Tête de Linotte Rosé d’Anjou  $10
Gamay & Grolleau
This is a tender and fruity wine with peach aromas dominating. Very good balance between acidity and sweetness. Think nectarine.  Organic.  11.5% alcohol by volume
Was $14 Now $10

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Ever wonder what the wines in our wine club are like?  Here are a few wines from our August Madrona Wines Monthly club that are still in stock.  No need to be in the club to get these great bottles.

BUBBLES
Compton Family Wines Sea 02 Sparking White  $15
Made from the finest Willamette Valley grapes, the Sparkling White from SEA O2. This white blend that includes Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer is fruity and floral with a just touch of sweetness.

WHITES
2018 Sparkman Apparition  $13
Roussanne
Apparition offers a beautiful bouquet of white currants, white flowers, honeysuckle, and toasted brioche that opens up beautifully with time in the glass. It has a honeyed pineapple lushness, and at the same time, clean, vibrant zest and brine notes, while staying perfectly balanced on the palate.

2020 Domaine Jean Vullien L’Alpine  $14
Jacqère
Though the Vulliens have been making wine for over 40 years, the family is perhaps best known as a leader in the vine nursery business, providing young vines to growers throughout France. Their 100% Jacquère is grown on soils of dark Jurassic limestone and black marl with a pebbly topsoil layer of scree. The wine is light, mineral and brightly acidic with notes of alpine flowers and citrus.

2018 Isaac Cantalapiedra Cantayano  $20
Verdejo
Cantayano shows stone fruit, apple, and herbaceous notes, while the palate is surprising dense, with a beautiful seam of acidity. A lovely and affordable Spanish white wine that shows the potential of Verdejo.

PINK
2020 L’ermite d’Auzan Nimes Rosé  $14
50% Cinsault, 50% Grenache
Beautiful  explosion of fruit in the nose and on the palate. This wine is situated between a Tavel and a Côte de Provence. Bio-dynamic.

2020 Paul Blisson Costières de Nimes Rosé  $13
75% Syrah, 25% Grenache
A round and supple wine with notes of red and yellow fruits and mellow spices. The wine is delicately layered with stone fruits, like peach and apricot, subtle herbs and a long, satisfying finish.

REDS
2017 Hazaña Viñas Viejas Rioja  $12
85% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano
Coming from 50-70 year-old vines , Vinas Viejas gives up a clean, classic bouquet of blackberries, graphite, violets, and cedary herbs. With medium-bodied richness, notable elegance, and ripe tannins.  Organic
Was $15 Now $12

2016 Château Bertin Montagne Saint-Emilion  $15
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
The wine is distinguished by its delicate balance – the fruity aromas are flattering, ripe and mature. The volume and the roundness in one’s mouth are impressive, the tannins are smooth and the final result is its delicacy.

2019 Famille Lancon La Solitude Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge  $13
50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Mouvedre
A rich layered Rhone wine with a nose of garrigue and red fruits. The palate is full and balanced with a nice sweetness, with aromas of cocoa and morello cherry, with a long and suave liquoriced finish. Organic

2017 Pasqua Passimento  $15
This wine is a blend of Corvina and Croatina grapes with a percentage of Merlot, which adds to its velvety softness. Beautiful deep ruby red in color with an intense and lingering nose and striking notes of red fruits and spicy overtones. Well balanced and plush with velvety tannins.

2018 Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico  $23
Sangiovese
The 2018 Chianti Classico is an absolutely gorgeous wine. A burst of sweet red cherry fruit, raspberry, rose petal, mint and blood orange races out of the glass. Exuberant and boisterous, with tremendous fruit purity, the 2018 is a pure pleasure to taste.”

2018 Domaine Delarche Bourgogne Rouge La Garenne  $27
Pinot Noir
“Garenne” comes from old vines (50+ years) planted on the upper slopes, or hautes côtes, above Pernand-Vergelesses. Brambly red cherry fruit and a light touch of spice characterize this wonderfully bright, silky, tangy Pinot Noir. Non-Filtered.

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Not the movie with Burt Reynolds from 1972, we’re talking 2020 here and it is the hills of Provence not Georgia.  But two new Bandols got dropped off at the shop on Friday.  The wines are packed with tension and Big Screen character.  Try pouring them side by side and go back and forth to see which is better.  There are worse ways to spend a feature length of entertainment on a hot August weekend.

2020 Moulin de La Roque, Les Hauts du Vallon Bandol Rosé  $24
52% Mourvèdre, 22% Grenache, 26% Cinsault
Les Hauts du Vallon shows bursting aromas filled with powerful, exotic fruits and spices. The taste is wide, long, rich, delicate and tender; fruity with good persistence.

2020 Croix d’Allons, Bandol Rosé  $23
60% Mourvèdre, 20% Cinsault, 20% Grenache
Not your subtle Provencale Rosé. The floral aromas give way to tropical fruits such as pineapple along with rose water. The Mourvèdre imparts a fullness of flavor with hints of sweet fruit as well as breadth of palate. It’s full bodied and structured with Mediterranean herbs, ripe dark berries, and a touch of garrigue on the finish. The elegant yet pronounced tannins give this wine an exceptional finish.  Organic

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

The weather is going to be hot the next few days.  It’s time to put a chill on.  Here’s some new wines to shove in the ice along with a couple of reds that can take a slight chill.  Keep your cool.

Col di Luna, Flora Prosecco Frizzante  $14
Glera
This Brut Nature Prosecco shows flavors of honeysuckle, tart stone fruit, green apple, and white mountain flowers. Fresh, fizzy and super easy to open.  Organic

2019 Collefrisio, Falanghina  Terre di Chieti  $15
Dry white wine from Abruzzo with the scent of peach apple and some anise. The taste is full, soft and intense.  Organic

2019 Suavia, Soave Classico  $15
Garganega
Fresh aromas of apple, pear and almond balance clean minerality and a hint of fresh herb. Crisp and refreshing on the palate, the flavors and aromas build toward a harmonious and lingering finish.

2020 Chateau l’Escart, Comtesse Bordeauc Blanc  $17
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle
A light and fresh Bordeaux Blanc with lots of floral notes to match the crisp fruit.  Organic Biodynamic

2020 Patricia Green, Sauvignon Blanc  $27
Willamette Sancerre.  There are less than 30 acres of Sauvignon Blanc planted in the Willamette Valley and Patricia Green works with three sites including their estate to craft this cuvee. The nose shows lychee and tropical fruits with a hit of melon and a bit of citrus. The palate is light with good acidity and a flavor set of orange blossom, light shiso pepper, lychee and melon.

2020 Girault, Sancerre Le Vallon des Demoiselles  $27
Sauvignon Blanc
Made from 35-year-old vines with a very expressive, citrus nose. It will fill you with its mineral expressions, its finesse, and its freshness. The palate will be fruity, with citrus aromas, while preserving a roundness, typical of its terroir.

2019 Ca Ses Rosetes, Vi de la Terra de Mallorca  32
Giro Ros
From a single 1.46ha vineyard of 60 year old giró ros vines, Giró ros is one of the indigenous white varieties of Mallorca recovered at the beginning of the 21st century.   Intense nose of stone fruit, peach, mango, yeast, with notes of white flowers. Tasty on the palate, unctuous, lively, lively, with a good mid palate and a better finish.  Organic

2020 Tres Antique, Les Secrets d’un Terroir Rosé  $15
Grenache, Cinsault and Tibouren
A Provence Rosé with a classic light pink onion skin color with notes of green melon and berries with a beautiful wet stone finish.  Organic

2020 Elena Walch, Schiava  $16
A great summer red you can put a chill on.   A delicate hint of cherry on the nose. On the palate, it is harmonious and elegant due to naturally mild acidity and tannin with a pleasant bitter almond flavor on the finish. An elegant, fruity red wine with good length.

2019 Piron, Coq Leon  $17
95% Gamay, 5% Gamaret
A VDP but the grapes all come from Beaujolais vineyards.  Gamaret is a cross of Gamay with Reichensteiner.  There are plots of these vines growing in little known villages in the region and occasionally, as in this case, it is blended with Gamay to make a plump, darker, some would say more fun wine to be enjoyed without fuss with the hearty fare served locally.  Sustainable

2018 Vinas Serrans, Ciclón     $25
Rufete
This is 100% Rufete from the granite and quartz-based soils of Castilla y Leon, Spain and these soils are the driving factor in this tasty treat. Vibrant pomegranate notes with touches of red cherry, citrus, white pepper and a touch of coriander, this is superb and versatile red. Organically grown and ready to “pop-n- pour.”  Biodynamic

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

The boats are getting unloaded a bit late this year, but there is still plenty of time to enjoy LOTS of Rosé.  Come find a favorite.

2020 Le Perriere, Petit Perriere Rosé  $14
Pinot Noir
Easy going, fresh and clean with a soft, silky texture. Notes of raspberries, strawberries, red currants and violets. Made in a round, refreshing style that will be perfect for any summer setting.

2020 Routas, Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé  $15
46% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Freshly cut watermelon, ripe peach aromas and floral notes lead to a palate alive with wild strawberries and hints of mineral notes. Crisp acidity and a refreshing finish.

2020 Tres Antique, Les Secrets d’un Terroir Rosé  $15
Grenache, Cinsault and Tibouren
A Provence Rosé with a classic light pink onion skin color with notes of green melon and berries with a beautiful wet stone finish.  Organic

2020 Roots, Pinot Noir Rosé  $18
Ninebark Vineyard Willamette Valley
Aromatics jump out of the glass, showing an evolution from white flowers with a hint of rose to candied watermelon and grapefruit. The palate is energetic. Initial bright and lively flavors fade into a juicy mid-palate before finishing with a delicate mineralistic texture.

2020 Camino, Roca Altxerri Txakoli Rosé  $20
Hondurrabi Beltza
The gentle fizz (as is traditional for Txakoli) is just one of the many charming elements to Roca Altxerri.  Bone-dry with angular but balanced acidity with a plethora of fruit notes including raspberries and strawberries with an injection of lime zest. Biodynamic

2020 Amestoi, Rubentis Txakolina Rosé  $22
50% Hondarribi Beltza,  50% Hondarribi Zuri
Rubentis brings forth zesty notes of blood orange, ruby red grapefruit, and white pepper, which mingle delicately with seaspray, salty citrus, and streaks of chalky minerality.  Organic

2020 Cantina Terlano, Lagrein Rosé  $23
Lagrein is a distinctive indigenous wine better known as a full-bodied red but also, it makes a great rosé. Highly fruity aromas with notes of raspberry and strawberry with a hint of amarena cherry.  Very juicy and soft on the palate. That gives this rosé a highly harmonious appeal and, together with its fresh and fruity acidity, makes for an exciting wine.

2020 Cherrier, Sancerre La Croix Poignant Rosé  $32
Pinot Noir
Grown on the same “terres blanches” soils that contribute energy and a saline edge to the estate’s Sancerre Blanc, this 100% Pinot Noir blush wine is exceptional and also very rare. It is full of red berries, wild strawberries, red plums, spice and minerality.

Current Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

We have some new Greek wine in the shop.  Two from Denthis a small family run winery in Namea with their Stamnaki wines which means “little wine jug” in Greek. And a rich new white from a small Island in the Aegean.

2019 Denthis, Stamnaki Moschofilero  $14
A crisp medium-bodied white wine made from aromatic Moschofilero grapes which are grown in the sandy clay soils of Mantinia on the Peloponnese Peninsula, one of the coolest growing regions of Greece. Known for its friendly character, fragrant floral notes, vivacious acidity and a juicy apple zing. Organic. 11.5% alcohol by volume

2019 Denthis, Stamnaki Agiorgitiko  $14
Agiorgitiko aka St. George! Native grape of Greece. Earthy, meaty, spicy, medium-bodied red from a small, family-run winery in Nemea. Organic. 12.9% alcohol by volume

2020 Moraitis Estate, Malagousia  $23
100% Malagousia from the Aegean Islands. This mouthfilling white has intense peach aromas with a lovely purity of fruit that flow onto the palate. Crisp acidity and fresh with a lasting finish. Organic. 12.5% alcohol by volume

Current Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

This 2011 Bordeaux showed up this week at the shop.  New to our shelves but with enough age to quaff tonight.

2011 Chateau Mauvesin Barton, Moulis en Medoc  $34
46% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
This classic Bordeaux is drinking great right now and hitting it’s prime.   An intriguing nose of cedar, ripe dark berries, and a hint of mint. It evolves on the palate from bright cherry to slight earth, leather, and minerality to blueberry compote on the dry finish that follows. 13% alcohol by volume

Current Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Brda is the westernmost region of Slovenia, nestled halfway between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. Its rolling hills, stretching from the Soča River to Friuli in Italy, are dotted with houses, farms, and vineyards planted on steep slopes and requiring a lot of manual labor.  All the work is done by family members and friends, which enhances quality control. The Klet Brda winery is a cooperative of these vineyards. The climate in the Brda region combines the freshness of the Alps and the Mediterranean influences, producing wines with a broad spectrum of aromas. The hallmark of Brda wines is their minerality, which is due to a particular marl soil called opoka.

Here are the wines that we normally stock at Madrona Wine.

2018 Klet Brda Krasno Sauvignonasse  $15
100% Sauvignonasse
An indigenous variety from Brda in Slovenia.  Aromas of lemon blossom and grapefruit zest. It is soft on entry with flavors of vanilla, apple and lemon before the smooth finish.

2018 Klet Brda Krasno  $20
40% Ribillo Gialla, 30% Malvasia, 30% Sauvigonnasse
Krasno is the highest village in Brda, with a long wine tradition and an abundance of excellent sites.  This Orange Wine sits sur lie for 6 months,  The fresh and elegant white blend has an impressively mineral, full taste and delicate aromas of ripe white fruit, spices and wildflowers.

2019 Klet Brda Krasno Goriska Brda Red  $15
40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
Slovenia
A distinctly mineral authentic wine with a character only found in Slovenia’s Goriška Brda region. Notes of bramble and red cherries followed by a grassy note. The medium-bodied palate boasts a gentle texture and a quite long finish.

2016 Klet Brda Bagueri Estate Merlot  $27
This Slovinian Merlot gives Napa a run for the money.  Red cherry with nuances of mulberry developing in nuances of dark plum, a full-bodied smooth and velvety wine with a slightly smoky character and soft tannins.  Organic

Current Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM