Unless they have a lot of resources, winemakers typically work for someone else making wine to suit the winery’s style.  Occasionally they make little bits of interesting wines in their own style– more a labor of love than income boosters.  This Saturday we’ll have two such winemakers in the shop pouring their small batch love childs.  Erica Orr and Linn Scott will be here from 2 to 4.  Come meet them and taste their creations.

In 2005, Erica Orr moved to Washington State and started an independent winemaking consulting and enology business in Woodinville, where she helped wineries like Baer, Mark Ryan, and Guardian rack up 90+ point scores.  In 2013, she made the inaugural and limited release of her Old-Vine Chenin. 
 
Linn Scott spends most of his working hours as the winemaker at Sparkman Cellars.  In his spare time he and a couple of friends make a few small lots of wine respectfully modeled after wines that that they love to drink.
 
2016 Six Atmospheres Blanc de Blancs  $32
Chardonnay
The Six Atmospheres is a Washington State Method Champenoise sparkler.  The fruit is from a special part of Bacchus Vineyard where the soil is deeper and the Chardonnay attains the right sugar and acidity for sparkling wine: The fruit is hand harvested, pressed whole cluster and fermented in neutral oak with traditional champagne yeast. Malolactic fermentation is blocked with sulfur addition following fermentation.  The secondary fermentation was done in bottle as traditionally is done for sparkling wines and the wine has rested on the yeast lees or ‘en tirage’ for 24 months prior to degorgement.  It is crisp and delicious.
 
2016 Wild Type Dionysus Vineyard Riesling  $16
The fruit for the Wild Type comes from an old-vine (1970’s era) block of Riesling at Dionysus Vineyard. This is a terrific vineyard within the Sagemoor Farms family of vineyards farmed by Lacey Lybeck and Kent Waliser. These gnarled old vines are slow to ripen and hang a fairly light crop with excellent air-flow and fruit exposure which keeps disease pressure (particularly from botrytis) very low. The wine is a very smooth and creamy Riesling.
 
2018 Orr, Old Vine Chenin Blanc  $25
Hand-harvested from vines nearly four decades old, this fresh, dry, 100% Chenin blanc was fermented naturally with native yeast. This Chenin is green-gold in color and has a nose of fresh lime zest, pineapple, and honeydew melon rind. It’s lively, bright, precise and a tiny bit saline in the mouth with a hint of cucumber peel and wet sidewalk in the finish.

2018 Orr Columbia Valley Grenache  $25
91% Grenache,  7% Mourvèdre, 2% Syrah
Rustic and approachable, this hand-picked Grenache was fermented with a touch of Mourvèdre and Syrah and aged in mature French oak. The color is violet ruby and the nose is full of fresh raspberries, pomegranate, plum and black tea. It’s vibrant and lively all the way through to the lifted and mouth-watering finish.

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Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 3-5 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.

If you are like us here at Madrona Wine you are decompressing from the holiday high.  To help us come down we have some low-priced wines open for tasting to match our new year’s budget.

Saturday, its DiStefano Discounts
We start the New Year off with a tasting of discounted wines from DiStefano.  These three reds are marked down to less than half of their usual price.  Why?  Because the winery is sitting on a lot of back stock and wants to move it.  Skeptical?  Come taste for yourself.  Get them while you can, these prices won’t last long.

DiStefano was established in 1983 being one of the first 5 wineries in Woodinville.  The winery does not own its own vineyards, but relies on long-term relationships and contacts with existing well know vineyards, such as Willard and Roza Hills in Yakima Valley, Bacchus and Dionysus in Columbia Valley, Rosebud and Weinbau on Wahluke Slope, and Alder Ridge in Horse Heaven Hills that grow classic varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

2012 DiStefano Domenica  $15
80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon,10% Cabernet Franc
The large amount of Merlot makes this wine soft but very full. This wine shows off black cherry, currant and sage notes, with wonderful texture and deep color. It is full in the mouth with a nice marriage of oak, balanced with tannin and good acidity. Was $34 now $15
2013 DiStefano Meritage  $15
64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Petit Verdot, 12% Cab Franc
This traditional Bordeaux blend is full bodied and masculine. This wine is enticing with molasses, black cherry tobacco and brown sugar aromatics. The tannins are packed tight with the rich black cherry and cocoa flavors seductively showing on the finish. Was $32 now $15
2012 DiStefano Cabernet Sauvignon  $15
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Delicate aromatics of violets, caramel, with hints of licorice and clove. On the palate, the spice and bing cherries are backed by refreshing acidity and medium tannins. Was $34 now $15

Sunday we’ll be pouring a couple of European wines with lesser varietals with big taste. 
2015 Intorchia Vignemie Perriconne 
$9
This Sicilian Red varietal has distinct notes of red fruits such as cherries, plums and redcurrant, as well as pleasant herby and earthy aromas. Intense and balanced, it is smooth and warm on the palate. On the nose, it offers equally good sensations, with a surprisingly fresh and highly persistent aroma. Was $12 now $9
2018 Clos des Lumineres Petit Verdot Les Cypres  $11
Dark fruit and floral (violets, lilac) aromas. Flavors of black cherry, plum, and sage engulf the palate. Full-bodied with slight spice on the dry finish.

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Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 3-5 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 are pulling the corks from now until New Year’s.  Swing on by the shop and say good bye to 2019 and hello to 2020.
 

Saturday, December 28th

Champagne at 2pm

Gonet-Medeville Brut Tradition 1er Cru  $40
70% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, 5% Pinot Meunier
An appealing mix of wet chalk, honey, light barley sugar and hay alongside apple, pear, citrus fruit and lemon-cream notes – this is at a lovely stage of maturity. The palate is both creamy and fresh, with lively but gentle mousse and terrific length.  Was $52 now $40
 
2017 Tenuta Santa Maria Pragal  $17
60% Corvina, 20% Merlot, 20% Syrah
The Pragal has an engaging bouquet with alternating hints of red fruit preserves, dried roses and black cherry with subtler tones of dark spice, tobacco and black pepper.
 
2011 Bergadano Barolo Sarmassa  $40
Nebbiolo
Founded by Enrico Bergadano in 1974, this estate is now managed by son Piercarlo who farms two hectares of vines in Barolo, Monforte and Novello. This is the family’s top wine, with fruit harvested from the celebrated Sarmassa cru. It shows incredible density and elegance with bright aromas of wild berries, white truffle and licorice. The drying tannins are tight and firm.  Was $50 now $40
 

Sunday, December 29th

 
2015 Château Les Hauts de Plaisance Haut Medoc  $15
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
This second wine from Château Pontoise Cabarus has a complex aromatic nose of red fruit, berries, coffee, and spice. The palate has a delicious balance of fruit, tannins, and acidity this wine tastes of cherry and blackberry, with a hint of coffee and chocolate.
 
2016 Argiano, Non Confunditur  $19
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot, and Syrah
The innate gentleness of Merlot creates a bridge between the evident earthiness of Sangiovese, the aromatic blackcurrant flavors of Cabernet and the warm red berries of Syrah.  NC is a wine with a decisive, full-bodied character, smooth tannins and a persistent finish.
 

Monday, December 30th

 
2016 Piantaferro Primitivo di Manduria  $14
An oaked Primitivo It is a single varietal Primitivo, from a small vineyard parcel in the heart of the superior Manduria DOC in the heel of Italy. This is a fine example of Primitivo: full-bodied, jammy with tones of chocolate and raisins. Really meant to be drunk young, those that love fruity wines will not be disappointed.
 
2015 Sierra Cantabria Crianza  $19
Tempranillo
Intense Cherry. Fine toasted notes (cocoa and coffee) and ripe fruit with definite expression. Powerful palate, smoky with well-balanced toasty notes of oak and fruit.
 

Tuesday, December 31st 
New Year’s Eve

 
2015 Bernard Stehelin Cheval Long Sablet  $20
70% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah
A charming cuvée with a slightly macerated fruit nose followed by a mouth sweet, fresh and licorice in attack, backed by friendly tannins. The very example of “pleasure wine”
 
And a surprise (even to us) wine. Come toast the New Year..
 

Wednesday New Year’s Day Closed!

As the 2019 draws to the end we look back and pull a few corks to finish the year off right.  We’ll be pouring some winter delights from now until New Year’s Eve.  Stop by the shop and see what’s open.
 

Thursday, December 26th

2017 Giá Langhe Rosso $18
Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo
The Giá is an easy going Langhe Rosso in a liter bottle meant for everyday enjoyment. The wine has red fruit and violet aromas with ripened plums and cherries. The palate is fruity, and smooth with a focus on dark red fruits. ONE LITER

2014 Barao de Vilar Statement  LBV Porto  $20
This unfiltered Late Bottled Vintage is aged over 4 years in oak barrels before bottling. It has a great variety of flavors, a strong wine with an attractive bouquet.  Strawberry jam, medium-bodied and sweet with refreshing acidity and gentle tannins.
 

Friday, December 27th

 
2001 Sant’ Elena Merlot$17
A 17-year-old Merlot from Friuli that is far from giving up the ghost.  Smooth developed flavors and soft tannin.  13% alcohol by volume
 
2017 Tenuta Santa Maria Pragal     $17
60% Corvina, 20% Merlot, 20% Syrah
Engaging bouquet with alternating hints of red fruit preserves, dried roses and black cherry with subtler tones of dark spice, tobacco and black pepper.

Santa is Coming!

We are counting the days until the fat man in the red suit slides down the chimney.  While we wait, we are opening some tasty wines to help with the holiday spirit.  Get your rain gear out and stop by the shop and see what’s open.  We are Open both Monday and Tuesday this week ‘cuz it’s the season.

Saturday, December 21st

 2014 Domain Pignan Château Neuf du Pape Blanc  $30
40% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette, 20% Roussanne, 10% Bourboulenc, 5% Picpoul, 5% Picardan
A smart wine with an aromatic complexity. The wine has aromas of peach, white flower, pineapple and a touch of butter and toast notes as well as floral notes, including acacia and lime.  Was $37, now $30

2015 Château Haute-Serre Cahors Malbec  $25
90% Malbec, 10% Merlot
From Cahors, Malbec’s home on France’s beautiful Lot River, 2014 Château Lafleur de Haute-Serre Selection des Sommeliers Malbec is a brilliant dark red in the glass with fine aromas, concentrated fruit, and soft tannins on the palate. The 63 hectares of vines grow on slopes with clay limestone soil at an altitude of 300 meters–one of the highest vineyards in the appellation. Very fine nose. In mouth, it shows its soft tannins. The concentration of flavors reminds one of redcurrant jelly. Fine structure and elegance –a very feminine wine.

2016 Gaja Ca’ Marcanda Promis  $52
55% Merlot, 35% Syrah, 10% Sangiovese
Aromas of dark berries, licorice and sandalwood following through to medium-to-full body with firm tannins. A juicy and delicious finish.

Sunday, December 22nd

2016 Billaud Simon, Peiti Chablis, $20
Charrdonnay
Generous nose, frank and lively. Notes of lemon and white flowers on a mineral content. The attack on the palate is young and frisky. The mellowness is slightly behind the liveliness of the fruits, lemon, apple, fern, combined with iodized mineral. Was $30 now $20

2017 Beaucastel Coudoulet Rouge  $32
30% Grenache, 30% Mourvédre, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
The vineyard for the Coudoulet lay just outside of the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation and the wine drinks much more like a Châteauneuf than a Côtes du Rhone. The nose evokes aromas of red fruit, blackberries, black cherries and licorice. In the mouth one finds hints of wild thyme and a finely structured wine that shows very good length.

Monday, December 23rd

2016 Tomas Cusine, Geol         $26
60% Samsó, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
From older vines in trellised vineyard parcels with naturally low yields on stony calcerous limestone and gravel plots. Think forest fruits like mature blackberries and plum compote. Cedar, eucalyptus, dark chocolate, balsamic, licorice and black currants with elegant and sweet wood in the nose. Wide and silky entrance, with rounded tannins, powerful, structured, deep and persistent finish. Organic

2016 DeLilleCellars D2  $45
59% Merlot and 34% Cabernet Sauvignon along with pinches of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Blackberry, plum seed, black raspberry, toast, graphite and licorice aromas lead to light but ripe red and black fruit flavors backed by grainy tannins.

Tuesday, December 24th

2017 Viberti Chardonnay  $22
Piedmont
Tropical fruit flavors of banana and star fruit are complemented by crisp golden apple aromas, notes of acacia further enhance the bouquet.  90% stainless steel tanks, 10% new oak. Sustainable

2009 Louis Latour Château Corton Grancy Grand Cru  $125
Pinot Noir
Côte de Beaune
Part of the Louis Latour empire, this Grand Cru is a beautiful red with ruby highlights. A complex nose revealing an earthy mix of red fruit, spice and licorice. Rounded in the mouth with the same juicy flavors as on the nose rounded out with hints of coffee. Harmonious with supple tannins.

We are closed Wednesday, December 25th, Merry Christmas.

We are close to the longest night of the year after which the days start getting longer again.  Even though Winter is still ahead we have turned the corner.  It is time to celebrate.  And there are plenty of holidays to do it.  Hanukkah is Sunday, Christmas next Wednesday, and Kwanzaa starts on Thursday the 26th.  

At Madrona Wine we are opening some special sampling bottles everyday straight through til New Years. Stop on by and see what’s open.  We’ll be open Next Monday and Tuesday for last minute gifts.

Here’s what we’ll have open the next two days.

Thursday, December 19^th

2017 Giá Langhe Rosso  $18
Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo
The Giá is an easy going Langhe Rosso in a liter bottle meant for everyday enjoyment. The wine has red fruit and violet aromas with ripened plums and cherries. The palate is fruity, and smooth with a focus on dark red fruits.  ONE LITER

2014 Darby, Chaos  $25
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 16% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec
This Cabernet-based blend is rich and impressively structured, with savory blackberry aromas and accents of dark cherry, currant, anise, and cedar. Gains depth while holding focus and persistence.
Was $35 now $25

Friday, December 20^th

2011 Nottola Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Reserva  $29
80% Prugnolo Gentile, 20% other red varietals.
Full-bodied aromas that have hints of ripe fruit, splashes of spices, coffee and touches of violet.  Rich taste and well-balanced with a dose of elegant tannins that linger.

2017 Meadowcroft Napa Valley  $30
Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark,  ripe  berries  with  a  hint  of  olive  and  dried  fig,  this structured  and  concentrated  Cabernet  Sauvignon  shows classic Napa Valley style.   Flavors of dark chocolate and cigar box shine through the structured, mouthfilling tannins.

Things are popping this weekend at the wine shop as we get ready for the holidays.  We are pouring bubbles both Saturday and Sunday for as long as the samples last.  Everyone needs a little sparkle this time of year. Stop on by and enjoy the effervesce.

Saturday, December 14^th
Starting at 2pm
Vilarnau Brut Reserva Cava  $10
50% Macabeo,  35% Parellada,  15% Xarel·lo
Townshend Brut $14
60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
Savian Evento Rosé  $12
100% Merlot
Prova Cava Brut Méthode Traditionell  $13
40% Macabeo, 30% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada
Trouillard Champagne  Extra Selection Brut  $35
35% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay

Sunday, December 15^th
Starting at noon
Rive Della Chiesa Frizzante  $10
Pinot Grigio
Peneca Rebula  $13
Ribolla Gialla

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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 is a grey December here in Madrona.  But here at the wine shop we have somethings lined up to brighten your weekend.  Make a space in your plans to stop in and add a little glow to the grey.

Saturday, all the way from the Willamette Valley we have winemaker Chris Berg of Roots Wine Co. in the shop to show off his wines.  Stop by after 2 and meet the maker.
2018 Roots Sparkling Rosé $19
2017 Roots Estate Pinot Gris $16
2017 Roots Cancilla Vineyard Chardonnay $22
2018 “Klee” Pinot Noir $19
2017 Roots Crosshairs Cuveé Pinot Noir $22

Sunday, we are taking a trip back in time.  It has been 15 years since the movie Sideways first trashed Merlot drinkers, yet we still find Merlot much maligned (and very unfairly so.)  This Sunday we’ll tray and right that by pouring two Merlots that break the stereotype.  
 
2015 Cotarella Sodale Lazio Merlot  $16
Sodale is composed of 100% Merlot.  These Merlot vines thrive on the calcium-rich, volcanic soils of Montefiascone in Lazio.  Sodale is redolent with inky black fruit, sweet spice, and mineral- all of which are woven together tightly with a degree of finesse that calls its revered cousin, Montiano, to mind. On the palate the wine is juicy yet structured with abundant tannin that is polished and supple in texture.

2010 Masciarelli Marina Cvetic Merlot  $20
Founded by Abruzzo native Gianni Masciarelli in 1981, Masciarelli and its wines have become the standard-bearer for the Abruzzo region   The Marina Cvetic is intensely dark color, virtually black; dark fruits, earth on somewhat subdued nose; massive red cherry, blackberry, red plum, raspberry on the palate.  This is really big for a merlot, more tannin and grip than you expect A year in new French oak delivers vanilla but thankfully not huge oak; drying finish that extends significantly. This is not a mild, gentrified merlot, but a big, dark red wine.  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.

In 1999, the Berg family planted seven acres of mostly Pinot Noir on the 20-acre property near Yamhill in the Willamette Valley. In 2002, they picked their first harvest of a whopping three tons, which were made into 72 cases of Pinot Noir.  Today, Roots produces approximately 5,000 cases annually.  Besides their estate fruit they also source from neighboring vineyards in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA.  While Pinot Noir is the main focus, they also make an estate Pinot Gris and a Chardonnay sourced from Cancilla Vineyard.  Stop by on Saturday when winemaker Chris Berg will be with us showing off his creations.
 
2018 Roots Sparkling Rosé $19
Chris’s pinot noir sparkler pulls off the complicated juggling act of being both delicious and affordable.
 
2017 Roots Estate Pinot Gris $16
This is a well-made Oregon Pinot Gris whose lush mouthfeel bursts with flavors of ripe pear and sweet orange blossom and then finishes with a distinct minerality.
 
2017 Roots Cancilla Vineyard Chardonnay $22
Oregon seems made for Chardonnay. 
 
2018 “Klee” Pinot Noir $19
In homage to one of winemaker/owner Chris Berg’s favorite artists, Klee is named for the famous Baus Haus artist Paul Klee.  The 2018 is vibrant and layered; the hallmarks of Oregon Pinot are all here: dark/sour cherry, plum, cola, soil, delicate body, bright acid, fine tannins. Remarkably complex at a great price
 
2017 Roots Crosshairs Cuveé Pinot Noir $22
This wine is made from grapes sourced from Roots Estate Vineyard (35%), as well as the following Yamhill-Carlton AVA sites: Saffron Fields (30%), Fairsing (20%) and Yamhill Springs (15%). All are meticulously farmed and utilize sustainable methods.  The wine ages for 17 months in barrel with 15% being new French oak. 

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.