While yesterday’s events marked a change of the era, today’s march signals a bit of hope along with the dread. Amidst all the change, it is nice to have some stability.  We still have good wine to drink and we’ll be tasting some all weekend here, (don’t forget that the #2 bus runs straight from Seattle Center to Madrona Wine Merchants.)

Saturday we have a beautiful line up of Classic French wines to offer including an alluring Aligoté, tantalizing Tavel, beautiful Burgundy, rugged Rasteau and a compelling Cahor. 
2012 Christophe Buisson, Bourgogne Aligoté 
2014  Domaine Corne Loup, Tavel Rosé
2012 Regis Bouvier, Marsannay Rouge Clos du Roy 
2012 Famille Gonnet,  Rasteau, La Mado  
2012 Château De Mercuès, Cahors 

Sunday, the Red Octopus Returns as we taste the new vintage of  La Cantine di Indie Polpo Rosso along with a new Cattarratto from Sicily.

2015 Adamo Azienda Agricola, Cattarratto $13
Pale straw yellow color, good aromatic bouquet, with hints of herbs, floral and citrus notes. Fruity, with good acidity and a balanced softness, excellent taste structure.

2015 La Cantine di Indie Polpo Rosso  $14
Nerello Mascalese
This lighter, organic, Sicillian red, is special bottling for our  importer and has been a big shop favorite. The red octopus is a tenacious wine with bright acidity, layered cherry flavor and lingering finish. WE only get a small amount of the 2015 vintage so it won’t be around for long. 

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 pouring a lineup of classic French wines to help push away the January grey.  We have an alluring Aligoté, tantalizing Tavel, beautiful Burgundy, rugged Rasteau and a compelling Cahor.  It is enough to brighten any Saturday.  Come Join us.
 
2012 Christophe Buisson, Bourgogne Aligoté  $15
Bourgogne Aligoté is the appellation in Burgundy where the white wine is made from the other white grape of Burgundy. The Buisson has an exceptionally fresh and spicy nose of mostly pear and citrus scents leads to energetic and well- detailed middle weight flavors that terminate in a saline-inflected, clean, dry and utterly delicious finish.  Organic
 
2014  Domaine Corne Loup, Tavel Rosé $15
65% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, Clairette and Carignan.
From the Lafond family’s vineyard in Tavel.  “Corne Loup” refers to the name given to the place where someone, back in the old days, used to blow the horn (corne) in order to warn everyone if there was any sight of wolf (loup) coming in town.  It is a big full Tavel Rosé with aromas of strawberry and berry pie.  The wine is drinking better than ever with a bit of age on it.   Was $20 now $15

2012 Regis Bouvier, Marsannay Rouge Clos du Roy  $29
The winemaking history of Marsannay runs centuries deep, as far back to the 14th century when the Ducs of Bourgogne preferred Marsannay above other villages. Clos du Roy means “vineyard of the king” and its 40 year old vines grow on its sloped landscape .  The wine is aged in barrel for 12-16 months with 30% new oak.  It is a rich, full, earthy, red Burgundy.
 
2012 Famille Gonnet,  Rasteau, La Mado  $15
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Highly aromatic, and with lovely concentration of fruit on the palate, and a great price.

2012 Château De Mercuès, Cahors  $25
85% Malbec, 15% Merlot
Château de Mercuès sits on the gravely hillocks surrounding the communes of Caillac and Mercuès.  The particularity of Château de Mercuès is its vinicultural method, which was used in the last century before phylloxera – significantly increasing planting density.  Most plantations in the Cahors Appellation have average density of 4,000 vines per hectare, but at Château de Mercuès plantation density reaches 6,666 vines per hectare for half the vineyard, as high as for the great Medoc wines. This is particularly favorable for the Malbec grape, which has been grown in Cahors for more than 2,000 years. It reduces yield per stock and increases the quality of the wine, giving it very high concentration and ageing potential.  The wine is a big fully oaked Malbec that blends the old-world leather with a rich wine making style.

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 looks to be another cold but sunny weekend as we wait for next week’s warmth, (relatively) and rain to return.  At Madrona wines we have a few things lined up to keep you warm.

Saturday we have a full line up of new discount wines as our distributors clean up their warehouses.  There are some great values here and we’ll start pouring them at 11am so you can stop in before the Seahawks game if you want to stock up.
2012 Quintessence Pouilly Fume Was $22 now $12
2012 Quintessence Chinon  Was $20 now $12
2013 Ollivier Hillaire, Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes  Was $20 now $17
2011 Mantellassi,  Punton del Sorbo Was $21 now $13
2007 Bacalhôa,  Sò  Was $20, Now $15

Sunday, all day we are featuring two organic wines from Piedmont.

2014 Popolo di Indie Bianco del Popolo  $11
100% Cortese
A declassified Gavi, made by Terre di Mate for Indie wines. It’s round, fresh and fun.

2015 Popolo di Indie Vino Rosso $13
45% Nebbiolo, 35% Barbera, 20% Dolcetto
The Barbera brings the acidity and bright fruit, the Nebbiolo brings the tannins and the aromatics, and the Dolcetto brings the softness and rounds out the blend. Good Piedmont juice at a great price.

And Sunday is the Artist Reception for our new show Elements of Landscape Drawing by Suzanne Brooker.  Stop by from 3 to 5 pm and check out the show and hang out with the artist.

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.

January is a month where our distributors like to push the broom around the warehouse and clean up a bit, sweeping up odds and ends and offering them at good prices to get them out the door.  When they clean up, we clean up.  This Saturday we are pouring five such wines at prices that are hard to pass up.  Come give them a try.  We’ll be pouring them before and after the Seahawks Game, so there is no excuse.
 
2012 Quintessence Pouilly Fume  $12
Sauvignon Blanc
From the Loire , this crisp Sauv Blanc has aromas of white flowers and citrus blossoms as well as a round and creamy body with a touch of smokiness.  Was $22 now $12

2012 Quintessence Chinon  $12
Cabernet Franc
This wine shows aromas of freshly picked ripe black plums, blackberry, pencil shavings and wet earth. On the palate, it has dense flavors of crushed black fruits with hints of earth and graphite. It is well structured and very food friendly with a nice finish.  Was $20 now $12

2013 Ollivier Hillaire, Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes  $17
60% Grenache, 40% Syrah
Old vine grapes from just across the river from Chateauneuf with intense fruit mixed with spicy flavors , fine tannins, and a very beautiful aromatic persistence.   Was $20 now $17

2011 Mantellassi,  Punton del Sorbo $13
Cabernet Sauvignon
This Tuscan Cabernet is aged for 12 months in barrel.  Its rich aromas features black current & cassis.  It is rich and concentrated on the palate with a hint of mint on the finish.  Was $21 now $13

2007 Bacalhôa,  Sò  $15
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional is the most recognized Portuguese grape variety but not often associated with this part of the country (Terras do Sado) which is close to Lisbon in the foothills of the Arrábida range.  The wine has deep rich flavors of dark fruit and smooth supple tannins.  Was $20, Now $15

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.

2016 is quickly slipping away, but there are plenty more wines to try before New Years.  We’ll be open until 6pm on New Year’s Eve and we have some fun things to taste between now and then.  Stop in and grab something for Midnight or a nice dinner on the first day of 2017.  (We’ll be closed Monday and Tuesday and then start back next Wednesday with our regular schedule.)

Friday, December 30th

2013 Avignonesi, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, DOCG  $33
Sangiovese
“There’s loads of Sangiovese character here, from the earthy, tobacco-scented beginning to the cherry, leather and earth flavors, all underlined by stiff, chalky tannins. Rustic yet soulful.”
 
Saturday, December 31st

Alain Bailly Grande Reserve Brut  $28
60% Pinot Miunier, 25% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
Serzy-et-Prin  Marne
Sixth-generation growers, Bailly’s estate consists of 12 hectares composed of eighty vineyard plots. The Grande Reserve has a golden tint, fine mousse, very full bouquet mingles toast, figs, fresh bread, and structured vinous aromas full of richness.
Was $30, Now $28

2014 Pascal Bouchard Chablis Le Classique  $15
Chardonnay
Soft, crisp and fresh, this light wine has some tangy fruit as well as bright citrus. A slight texture and attractive final acidity are enhanced at the end by a juicy apple character.  Was $24 now $15

2014 Sparkman Wilderness  $20
A dark Rhone style blend out of Woodinville.  There are lots of layers to this smooth, rich wine.

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.

Holiday Wines this Week

We have made it to Christmas and Hanukkah but we still have the countdown to New Years with plenty of time to celebrate.  We’ll be pouring something fun everyday!  Stop in and have a sip.

Tuesday, December 27^th

2014 Double Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon  $20
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 2% Malbec
A full rich Horse Heaven Hills red blend.  Good value Washington wine.

Wednesday, December 28^th

2011 Gallety Cotes du Vivarais $15
50% Grenache, 50% Syrah
From the Ardèche region of the Rhone, This wine comes from very old Grenache and Syrah vines, average of 50 years old that give the wine extra layers of wild berry fruit tinged with thyme and garrigue flavors, deep concentration, power and complexity.  Biodynamic. Was $26 now $15

Thursday, December 29^th

2010Pasquale Pelissero, Bricco San Giuliano Barbaresco  $30
Nebbiolo
A family estate, single-vineyard Barbaresco that comes from an 8-hectare parcel at about 400 meters above sea level and is aged mostly in large botte.   Plum, cherry, licorice and leather notes on a broad frame. Tight and dense, with a lingering, fresh finish and dusty tannins.
 
Friday, December 30^th

2013 Avignonesi, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, DOCG  $33
Sangiovese
“There’s loads of Sangiovese character here, from the earthy, tobacco-scented beginning to the cherry, leather and earth flavors, all underlined by stiff, chalky tannins. Rustic yet soulful.”
 
Saturday, December 31^st

Alain Bailly Grande Reserve Brut  $28
60% Pinot Miunier, 25% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
Serzy-et-Prin  MarneSixth-generation growers, Bailly’s estate consists of 12 hectares composed of eighty vineyard plots. The Grande Reserve has a golden tint, fine mousse, very full  bouquet mingles toast, figs, fresh bread, and structured vinous aromas full of richness.  Was $30, Now $28

2014 Pascal Bouchard Chablis Le Classique  $15
Chardonnay
Soft, crisp and fresh, this light wine has some tangy fruit as well as bright citrus. A slight texture and attractive final acidity are enhanced at the end by a juicy apple character.  Was $24 now $15

2014 Sparkman Wilderness  $20
A dark Rhone style blend out of Woodinville.  There are lots of layers to this smooth, rich wine.

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.

New Years is drawing almost upon us, but before it gets here we are going to be toasting with some very tasty wine all this week.  Come raise a glass with us.

Tuesday, December 27^th

2014 Double Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon ($20)
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 2% Malbec
A full rich Horse Heaven Hills red blend. A good value Washington wine.

We are closing at 6pm on Saturday and will be closed Sunday for New Years.

Happy New Year from Jim and Mark

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.

Christmas is drawing neigh, but before it gets here we are going to be toasting the Holidays with some very tasty wine this Friday and Saturday.  Brave the x-mas slush and come raise a glass with us.

Friday, December 23^rd

2010 Cune Gran Reserva  $33
85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5%, Mazuelo
#22 on the top 100 list “This generous red shows a traditional character, with leafy, dried herb, tea and spicy notes framing dried cherry, licorice and leather flavors. Firm tannins and balsamic acidity impart structure. There’s plenty of depth here, culminating in a juicy, spicy finish. Drink now through 2025.”–94pts Wine Spectator.

Saturday, December 24^th

2012 Vincent Morey, Chassagne Montrachet Les Baudines 1er, $50
Chardonnay
The 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru les Baudines has a more resinous, waxy bouquet compared to the Champ Gain, with touches of apple peel and fresh pear coming through later. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, vibrant citric fruit and a dash of lemongrass lending spice to the finish. –Wine Advocate

2009 Terre del Barolo Barbaresco Riserva  $25
Nebbiolo
A Riserva Barbaresco which sees 4 years of aging before release.  Notes of ripe black cherry, underbrush, white and black pepper alongside drying tannins.

2014 Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel  $30
Classic Passo Zin — Black cherry, stewed plum, exotic barrel spice. Ripe bramble on entry, firm acid, gravelly mineral, medium-full body, round tannins, integrated oak finish.

We are closing at 6pm on Saturday and will be closed Sunday and Monday before gearing up for New Years.

Happy Holidays from Jim and Mark

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 pouring great things all week! Stop in as have a sip.

Tuesday, December 20th

2010 Dowsett Devotion     $20
37% Syrah, 32% Grenache and 31% Mourvedre.
The wine has intense primary black fruit and spice aromas. Wonderful balance and complexity fill the palate with berries, black pepper and vanilla. Was $30 now $20

Wednesday, December 21st

2010 Colpetrone Montefalco $20
Sagrantino
A dense, thickly layered wine with great body and strong flavors of blackberry liqueur, roasted hazelnuts, plum sauce, and a smoky touch of incense. The dark finish is accented with a rustic earth note and features sharply contoured tannins that are going to give this wine a good long life in the cellar.

Thursday, December 22nd

2013 Fidelitas 4040 Red Blend $30
68% Cab Sauv., 29% Merlot, 3% Cab Franc
A plush Red Mountain Red — aromas of bright raspberry, red cherry, and cola, vanilla, sweet tobacco, and brown sugar. The palate has silky firm tannins, and red berries.

Friday, December 23rd

2010 Cune Gran Reserva $33
85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5%, Mazuelo
#22 on the top 100 list “This generous red shows a traditional character, with leafy, dried herb, tea and spicy notes framing dried cherry, licorice and leather flavors. Firm tannins and balsamic acidity impart structure. There’s plenty of depth here, culminating in a juicy, spicy finish. Drink now through 2025.”–94pts Wine Spectator.

Saturday, December 24th

2009 Terre del Barolo Barbaresco Riserva $25
Nebbiolo
A Riserva Barbaresco which seew 4 years of aging before release. Notes of ripe black cherry, underbrush, white and black pepper alongside drying tannins.

2014 Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel $30
Classic Passo Zin — Black cherry, stewed plum, exotic barrel spice. Ripe bramble on entry, firm acid, gravelly mineral, medium-full body, round tannins, integrated oak finish.

Happy Holidays from Jim and Mark

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 crisp weekend here in Madrona.  But here at Madrona Wine our spirits are warm and bright.  

Saturday, we are pouring an array of Holiday Wines.  Whether for a present or a dinner party, these wines should fit the bill.
2015 Apolloni Vineyrads,  L Pinot Gris
2014 Trisaetum, Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
2015 Chateaux Les Millaux, Bordeaux Rouge 
2014 Cor Cellars Momentum  (already gift wrapped)
2011 Caparzo, Brunello

This next week we’ll be opening some special wines to make the holidays merrier. It starts Sunday (the last Sunday we will be open this year) with a very special  Châteauneuf .  It is a great present for any wine lover.

2012 La Nerthe, Châteauneuf du Pape  $61
44% Grenache, 37% Syrah, 14% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault
Château La Nerthe is one of Châteauneuf’s oldest estates and a benchmark producer of the region. Located in the heart of the AOC, the 225 acres of Château La Nerthe’s vineyards are located in a single block around the chateau and have been certified organic since 1998. The classic Châteauneuf terroir of the famous galettes (large, round stones) dominate the on average 40 year old vineyards.  The 2012 is juicy and lively, with good energy coursing through the core of plum, anise, blackberry and fruitcake flavors, while sweet spice and juniper hints fill the finish.

We are closed on Monday but will reopen Tuesday with a full week of more great wine to try. 

Happy Holidays from Jim and Mark

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.