It is no secret that we love French wines.  This Saturday we are pouring five of them that easily earn our affection.  Swing on by the shop and fall in love with them yourself.

2016 Nicolas Idiart, Sauvignon Blanc Touraine  $14
Made from 35-year-old vines planted in sandy clay soils, this Loire Sauv. Blanc has a lovely nose of apples, citrus, tropical fruits and dusty gravel. It is a bright and energetic wine that also carries good texture and finishing length.

2017 Campuget 1753 Rosé  $15
80% Syrah, 20% Vermentino
This upper tier Rosé from Campuget, comes from a vineyard just south of Nîmes near the village of Manduel whose soil is formed of ‘gress’, an accumulation of rounded pebbles that have been rolled by many overflows of the Rhône river thousands of years ago.  The vines also benefit from the Mediterranean sunshine, which bring the grapes to perfect maturity.  The nose is full of grapefruit and exotic fruits. A delicate freshness offers a vibrant and delicate mouth with hints of red fruits. Was $20 now $15

2016 Mourgues du Gres, Galets Rouge $12
60% Syrah,30% Grenache, 5% Mourvédre, 5% Marselan
A very dark and earthy Southern French Red, aromas of cherry, blackberry, and soft spices lingering through the finish. The wine is full-bodied with a good acidity and character with tannins that are persistent, yet smooth.  Organic.
Was $15 now $12

2015 Cap Leon Veyrin, Listrac Medoc $16
55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon
We’ve carried different vintages of this wine over the years but none at this good of a price.  The wine is rich, dense and structured. It has plenty of tannins as well as generous black-plum and spice flavors. Wood aging adds light toastiness that smooths out the fruit.   Was $30 now $16

2010 Fonplegade Fleur de Fonplegade, St. Emilion Grand Cru $45
95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
A very classy Bordeaux from 25-70 years old vines.  The full-bodied, powerful 2010 reveals intense, concentrated red and black fruit characteristics, undeniable minerality, a perfumed style and authoritative flavors that linger on the palate. — 94 pts Wine Advocate.  Bio-dynamic.

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 busy weekend here in Madrona.  Saturday is the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby (or what we at Madrona Wine like to call “the run for the rosés)  Sunday is Cinco de Mayo so get the sangria makings early.  To celebrate all this we are pulling the corks on some great wines, so stop by the shop and join us.

Saturday is Spain. 
The bubbles pop at 2pm.
Ramon Raventos, Cava  $11
2017 Hiruzta, Guipucoa Txakolina Rosado  $18
2010 Enate, Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon$ $17
2010 Bodegas Lan, Rioja Grande Reserva $25
2014 Cellers Unió, Roureda Llicorella Clàssic Priorat $25
50% Carignan, 25% Garnacha and 15% Merlot

Sunday we are pouring a pair of wines from two lesser-known wine regions around the Mediterranean with two lesser-known varietals.
2016 Jordanov, Rkaciteli  $10
Macedonia
A very old grape varietal originally from the Republic of Georgia, on the palate you find hints of spicy apricot, orange zest, honeysuckle, red apple and a hint of a sherry like quality. To finish it off you will find a slight salinity like an ocean breeze.
2015 Palama, Arcangelo Negroamaro  $12
Since 1936, the Palamà family has been making wine on their small estate in southern Italy in Puglia. This wine is expressive, rich, and robust on the palate, with aromas of steeped plums, cracked pepper, blackberry confit, and cinnamon.

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 we are featuring some bold and beautiful wines from Spain starting with a crisp Cava and finishing with a dark and deep Priorat, along with a few delightful sips in between.  Come on by the shop and have a taste.
 
Ramon Raventos, Cava  $11
70% Xarel-lo, 20% Macabeo, 10% Grenache (Blanc de Noir)
A delicate bead with aromas of citrus and fresh green apple. Soft and elegant on the palate with notes of pear and toasted almond.
 
2017 Hiruzta, Guipucoa Txakolina Rosado  $18
60% Hondarrabi Beltza, 40% Hondarrabi Zuri
This classic Basque Rosé is redcurrant-pink in color with rich aromas of red and black fruits, such as strawberries, blackberries and black currants, over a citrus background and fine vegetal notes. Very fresh in the mouth with a balanced acidity accentuated by a hint of carbonic gas, offering a pleasing palate and a long, aromatic finish.
 
2010 Enate, Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon$ $17
A red wine from Somontano, the Enate Reserva has a broad, complex range of aromas: berries (blackberry, redcurrant), balsamic notes (mint) and a subtly spicy background (vanilla, pepper, bay leaf). Its structured palate lines the mouth with high-quality tannins. A long finish in the mouth recalling toast and bright tobacco.
 
2010 Bodegas Lan, Rioja Grande Reserva $25
90% Tempranillo from a selection of the best grapes coming from 30-year-old, low yielding bush vines in the Rioja Alta and 10% Mazuelo.  Lan’s GR is aged 24 months in American oak and French oak barrels, followed by a minimum of 36 months in the bottle.  The wine has aromas of ripe red fruits combined with spicy notes from the aging in oak (vanilla, cinnamon, fennel, licorice root) and tertiary aromas (leather, cigar box) from its prolonged bottle ageing. Full bodied and round, its mouthfeel is elegant and very well balanced.
 
2014 Cellers Unió, Roureda Llicorella Clàssic Priorat $25
50% Carignan, 25% Garnacha, 15% Merlot
Priorat’s steep slopes of licorella (brown and black slate) and quartzite soils, protection from the cold winds of the Siera de Monstant and a lack of water, leading to incredibly low vine yields, all work together to make the region’s wines unique. While similar blends could and are produced elsewhere, the mineral essence and unprecedented concentration of a Priorat wine is unmistakable. Unio’s Classic has drilling aromas of graphite and balsamic dark fruits.  Roaring berry, chocolate and pepper flavors get brushed aside by the tannic roughness of the finish. Give this plenty of air before pouring; drink through 2024.

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 are spending the weekend in Italy here at Madrona Wine.   We’ll be starting in the library and ending with some new releases.  Swing by and taste with us.

Saturday we have some older vintages from Sant’ Elana in Friuli.  These wines are amazing values.  Come watch us turn back time.
2013 Sant’ Elena Klodic Pinot Grigio $15
2009 Cabernet Franc $22
2007 Sant’ Elena Cabernet Sauvignon  $19
2001 Sant’ Elena Merlot  $17
1997 Ros di Rol  $23

Sunday we are pouring two new wines from 2017: a fresh Verdicchio from the Marche region, followed by the crowd-pleasing Octopus of Sicily.
2017 Sartarelli Classico   $12
Verdicchio dei Castelli de Jesi
Straw yellow color with intense greenish nuances. White peach, elder, hawthorn aromas. A well-structured wine, soft on the palate, the characteristic slightly bitter almond aftertaste (typical of this varietal).
2017 La Cantine di Indie Polpo Rosso   $15
Nerello Mascalese
A new vintage of this light Sicillian red, special bottling for a local importer. The red octopus is a tenatious wine with bright acidity, layered cherry flavor and lingering finish. Organic. 12.5% 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.

Most wineries due to economics either design their wines to be drunk young or leave it to the buyer to cellar their wines until they reach their peak.  Occasionally we come across a wine that has been cellared for us.  This Saturday we have hit the motherload with the wines from Sant’ Elena.  This 40-hectare estate is located in Friuli-Venezia Giula in the Gradisca d’Isonzo area, where vineyards span out over the highest slopes and lowest valleys. The winery grows some very non-Italian varietals of mostly older vines that only produce 1 bottle per plant.  And they have a fantastic back stock of older vintages that have had time to develop.  Come taste the wine from their cellar.

2013 Sant’ Elena Klodic  $15
Pinot Grigio
Klodic is macerated for thirty-six hours to obtain deep color and then left on the lees for six months. A delicate and complex process usually not reserved for the variety   This Pinot Grigio offers complex varietal fruit laced with perfumed aromatics. This tasty, soft-textured Pinot Grigio possesses excellent balance and poise. An Orange Wine at a great price.
13% alcohol by volume

2009 Cabernet Franc $22
Sant’ Elana has always had Cabernet Franc on the property but mainly blended it into other wines.  Here is a beautiful example of what it can be by itself.  The wine is vinified exactly the same as the other reds, in steel and then 24 months in neutral 20hl botte. The wine is a little more rustic or Friulian in style and more feminine and fruit friendly than the Cab Sauv.

2001 Sant’ Elena Merlot  $17
A 17-year-old Merlot from Friuli that is far from giving up the ghost.  The wine has smooth developed flavors and soft tannin.
13% alcohol by volume

2007 Sant’ Elena Cabernet Sauvignon  $19
This well-aged Cab is showing great without the heavy-handed oak of Napa or Walla Walla.  The strong ruby color introduces elegant aromas of red fruit jam and sweet spice. The mouth is full and long-standing with a fresh finish.

1997 Ròs di Rôl $23
The Ròs di Rôl
is made from their best Merlot grapes.  The wine has an incredibly intense reddish-purple hue. A rich and complex bouquet submerges the drinker with notes of cherry, cocoa and leather. The long and soothing finish completes the wine’s well-founded structure. It is 22 years old and just coming of age.

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.

Rich Burton has been very busy.  From the headquarters of Locus Wines, located down on Madrona Drive, he has coordinated all the picking, crushing, fermenting, aging, blending, and bottling that it takes to get a wine to our shop and ready for a glass.  This Saturday Rich will be with us, showing off several of his new creations.  Come join us and see the results. 
 
2018 Modo White $13
60% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc
The Semillon comes from the Dineen Vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills.  The Sauvignon Blanc comes from Naches Heights.  The wine has grassy aromas along with papaya and grapefruit.  The mineral palate is full of Meyer lemon and pineapple.
 
2018 Locus Rosé $13
42% Grenache, 31% Mourvèdre, 27% Cinsault
From 7 Mile Vineyard in the Rattlesnake hills, this crisp Washington rosé has aromas of white peach, lavender and Mandarin rrange.  The fruit notes carry through on the palate along with herbal nuance.  It is an easy spring sipper.  Don’t wait for Summer!
 
2016 Modo Red $13
38% Cinsault, 21% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 14% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon
This kitchen sink blend from seven different vineyards is an easy matchup for most things in the kitchen pizza, burgers, chicken wings, left over pot roast or just Fritos and ranch dressing dip.
 
2015 Locus Red $21
58% Syrah, 23% Cinsault, 11% Mourvèdre, 8% Grenache
The anchor grape in this Syrah heavy red comes from Conley and Strand vineyards in the Naches Heights AVA, blended some from Gamache vineyard.  The rest of the blend comes from 7 Mile Vineyard.  Rhone inspired, the Locus red has aromas of cedar, plum and eucalyptus.  The palate is full of violet notes, plum, tea, and coffee.  The finish is smooth and layered.
 
2016 Locus Sagemoor Barbera, Columbia Valley $35
A departure from their predominately French focus, with the Sagemoor Barbera Locus turns their thoughts to Italy while keeping their eyes on Washington fruit.  On the nose: the wine shows notes of carnations, dried strawberry, anise, peppercorn.  The palate is packed with cherries, tobacco, green pepper.

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 maybe grey, but Madrona is a much better place to be this weekend than most of the rest of the country.  And there are many tasty things to try at the shop this weekend so don’t miss it.

Saturday we are featuring our favorite organic single cultivar Olive Oil, along with 5 wines from Veneto, Campania, Molise and Tuscany
Le Manzane, Prosecco Superiore DOCG. $19.
Cantine Federiciane,  Gragnano  $19
2012 Tombacco, Biferno Rosso Riserva  $14
2016 Tombacco, Aglianico del Beneventano  $14
2012 Tenuta San Vito, Madiere  $30

Sunday we are Sipping Ciders, specifically the cider region of Normandy with three very representative dry ciders.
Manoir du Parc Brut Cider  $8
A very crisp Normandy Cider made from 10 varietals of apples that are grown specifically for Cider. Good complexity and yeasty notes for a small price. 5% alcohol by volume
Manoir du Parc Poire  $8
A light-bodied pear cider with aromas of ripe pears and clean, refreshing flavor. 3% alcohol by volume
Manoir du Parc Rosé Cider  $8
This Rosé cider from Normandy is made with pink fleshed apples and is delicious by itself or with that weekend breakfast. 3% 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.

This Saturday we are traveling the length of Italy from the north in Veneto to Campania in the south and several stops in between.  We’ll also be dipping into our favorite organic olive oil.  It’s a tasty traverse. Come along.
 
Le Manzane, Conegliano/Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. $19.
Glera
Le Manzane is in the Morainic hills of Prealpi Trevigiane beteween Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, between 200 and 300 meters above sea level. The grapes are hand harvested.  They undergo temperature-controlled fermentation on lees for 3 months giving it texture and structure.  This cut above Prosecco received Two Becchiere from Gambero Rosso.  It has a fine perlage, delicate fruity aroma with hints of bread crust, with floral nuance.
 
Cantine Federiciane,  Gragnano  $19
Aglianico, Piedirosso, Sciascinoso
A deep sparkling red from Campania! Gragnano is gently frizzante (sparkling), low in alcohol, perfumed of violets, with a distinct taste of grapes and nuances of berries. It has a slightly sweet vein balanced by savory & bitter notes. The wine has notes of blackberry, plum, cherry, and a note of bitter lemon on the finish.  11% alcohol by volume 
 
2012 Tombacco, Biferno Rosso Riserva  $14
80% Montepulciano, 20% Aglianico
Biferno is a tiny appellation in the center-south of Italy in Molise.  The Riserva has appreciated after time spent aging in both barrel and bottle and the result is an aromatic and seductive wine with cherry and floral lift, but a deep, plum and licorice richness of fruit and silky texture, the tannins mellowed into a gentle, rounded wine.  Let it sit in the glass a few minutes (or decant) before drinking
 
2016 Tombacco, Aglianico del Beneventano  $14
From Campania in in Southern Italy, Tombacco’s Aglianico is big, rich, warming and smooth. Hints of cherry and red berries, with a marked vanilla and spicy note lead into an excellent mouth feel, elegant and warm, sapid and full bodied with some spice on the long finish.
 
2012 Tenuta San Vito, Madiere  $30
60% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot
Tenuta San Vito in picturesque Tuscany is set amongst groves of olive trees and the vineyards which they tend organically. The Madiere expresses rich, lingering aromas of wild, red berries and spice, harmoniously-balanced on the palate with flavors of strawberries, cherries and black currants. The wine has a round texture, a full body and velvety tannins.  Organic
 
Petrizzelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil  $18
The Petrizzelli is made exclusively from the Coratina Olive, a very small, low-yielding varietal that rewards those who have the patience to work with it. Organic

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.

April showers have arrived in Madrona.  The sky is pretty grey, but that’s Spring in Seattle.  The trees are budding and the peas are up in the garden.  It’s time to drink a little wine.  So grab that slicker and slide on in to the wine shop.  We are pouring Spring Specials all weekend and they are deals you won’t want to miss.

Saturday:
2016 Meadowcroft, Louvau Viognier  $15
Was $30 now $15
2015 Chateau Cazal Viel, Saint Chinian Vielles Vignes  $15
Was $17 now $15
2012 Tionio, Ribera del Duero  $15
Tempranillo
Was $25 now $15
2008 Quinta Seara d’ Ordens, Reverva  $15
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz
Was $21 now $15
2015 Les Terrasses,  Châteauneuf du Pape  $30
Was $35 now $30
 
Sunday we are at it again with a Côte du Rhone White and a Provence Rosé. Perfect for Spring.
2016 Domaine Montmartel Côte du Rhone Blanc     $10
75% Viognier, 15% Roussane, 10% Clairette
The Montmartel glows with a golden pear color. The nose is very complex with aromas of grapefruit citrus, honeysuckle, pear, and orange blossom. The palate is lively and bright with pear, apricot, anise, pineapple, and a delightful mineral texture. Organic. 
Was $12 now $10
2017 Fabre en Provence Rose    $12
45% Black Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 25% Syrah
Vibrant pink, with a slight silver rim in the glass. Aromas of violets rose water, crushed graphite, sea salt, pine and peach. Bright, racy and juicy, with a pleasing, lush mid-palate and a touch of raspberry and sea salt at the finish. 
Was $15 now $12

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 Spring has been a good season for deals from our distributors, and this weekend we’ll be opening a number of them for you try.  It is a diverse bunch from California, the Languedoc, northern Spain, Portugal, and the pinnacle of the Rhone – Châteauneuf du Pape.  Is it deal or no deal?  You decide for yourself.
 
2016 Meadowcroft, Louvau Viognier  $15
Morning fog from the Pacific Ocean tempers the warm summer days giving the Louvau Vineyard a great balance of maritime and inland climates.  The 2017 Louvau Viognier is aromatic and expressive with complex layers of vanilla bean and expressive honeysuckle blossom aromas play into a rich and creamy palate with ripe apricot and white peach finishing with lively acidity.
Was $30 now $15
 
2015 Château Cazal Viel, Saint Chinian Vielles Vignes  $15
Produced from hand-selected old-vines on the estate, this is a classic blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. The nose is intense and spicy with hints of black pepper and cloves. On the palate, this wine is round and full-bodied, showing a very fine balance between tannins and oak.
Was $17 now $15
 
2012 Tionio, Ribera del Duero  $15
Tempranillo
The Tionio has complex aroma with hints of red and dark fruits. It is a complex wine with different aromatic layers. In the mouth present a good structure, with volume, and good persistence. It is a wine characterized by its good balance between tannin and acidity.
Was $25 now $15
 
2008 Quinta Seara d’ Ordens, Reverva  $15
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz
A big, deep Portuguese Red that has been smoothed out by a few years in bottle is really drinking well now.
Was $21 now $15
 
2015 Les Terrasses,  Chateauneuf du Pape  $30
A negociant,  under the radar, CNDP that makes up in price what it lacks in pedigree.  Aromas of dark cherry, licorice, orange peel and spice notes.  The acidity is bright and fresh with more cherry, cinnamon and orange marmalade on the palate, land smoky tannins on the finish. 
Was $35 now $30

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.