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.

December is here and we need a little sustenance to make it through til the New Year. So of course we contacted Bill Meyer of Sustenance Distributing to come pour some wines to get you through the holiday season. He’ll be in the shop this Saturday sharing his wares. Come and taste some real holiday winners.
 
Pascal Ponson 1er Cru Champagne $39
80% Pinot Meunier, 10% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay
Pascal Ponson is a small grower producer from Montagne de Reims. His Brut has rich and creamy aromas of red and yellow apple, quince, lemon blossom, white mushroom, honeysuckle, hazelnut, and delicate purple flowers are woven around a strong core of mineral notes. There is a lot of complexity here for the price.
2017 Dauvissat Petit Chablis $20
Chardonnay
Made from Vincent Dauvissat’s outlier vines located above Les Clos, on limestone soils, this wine has good focus and minerality with some of the savory complexity that’s the domain’s hallmark. It is very rich with classic notes of white flowers, citrus zest and struck flint over its silky fruit.
2007 Becker Landgraf Riesling, Gau-Odernheimer Trocken $24
Julia trained as a chartered engineer, Johannes as an oenologist, subsequently making the wines at his parents’ estate in Rheingau. In 2005 they married, and Johannes joined Julia in running her family estate in Gau-Odernheim. They dry-farm with as little intervention as possible, using only organic fertilizer, and interspersing green fallow plots in the vineyards. Their vineyard sites are distinctive, but are essentially calcareous clay. This aged Riesling has a pure, mineral driven Riesling notes accompanied by all the secondary note that only age provides.
2016 Edmond Monnot Maranges Les Saugeot $26
Pinot Noir
After taking over his father’s estate, Stephan Monnot built a new winery on the steep hillside below the family home designed to facilitate all movement of the wine by gravity for a more gentle journey from press to fermentation tank to barrel. His wines offer a great ratio of price to quality. This Maranges shows hints of pine and earth, mingled with tangy cherries and silky tannins on the finish. Drinking great now.
2015Domaine de la Gonorderie, Anjou Rouge $16
Cabernet Franc
Domaine de la Gonorderie is a 30-hectare. Family-owned and operated winery located only 15km away from Angers. Their Cab franc is a light bodied red, with soft red berry aromas, a fresh acidity and mineral finish. It is great for any occasion.

Sunday we’ll be pouring a pair from Piedmonte.  Both ore on special for $12
2012 Tacchino Dolcetto d’ Ovada  $12
Ripe, clean, fragrant strawberry-raspberry-scented wine with dusty tannins and brisk acidity. On the palate it is dry, medium-bodied, well balanced, with plenty of fruitiness. 13% alcohol by volume. Was $22 now $12
2016 Cantine Valpane Rosso Pietro  $12
Barbera di Monferrato
A deep, earthy fruit nose and a palate loaded with bright, spicy Barbera fruit and smooth tannins followed by a deliciously perfumed 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.

Thanksgiving is here and this Saturday we have arraigned a fine line up of wines to match heavy feasting.  Come pick something out to go with the holiday meal.  And don’t forget the Underberg.
 
Son of Man Sagardo Basque style Cider  $15
The 2018 Sagardo is the result of an exclusive collaboration between cidermakers Jasper Smith of Portland, Oregon and Guillermo Castaños of San Sebastian, Spain. Made from fruit grown in the Hood River and Willamette Valleys, the cider is spontaneously fermented by native yeasts and bottled unfiltered and unfined.  It ferments for four months in massive kupelas (American oak foeders) before it’s ready to drink.  It is a thirst quencher with clean, bright acidity, a touch of salinity and a soft tannic structure. Aromas of pineapple and tropical fruit lead to fresh green apple on the palate, before a gently astringent finish. Shake well to reintegrate the fine lees before serving.  At 6% alcohol you can drink both before and during the meal.
 
2018 David Hill Estate Gewurztraminer  $21
Intentionally picked to retain acidity, this Gewürztraminer is crafted in a dry Alsatian style, which enhances the subtle spice aromatics of fennel and clove. On the palate, flavors of peach skin and honeydew contribute to a crisp clean finish.  It makes for a beautiful food pairing wine.

2016 Erste + Neue Kaltereresee Leuchternburg  $16
Schiava (Vernatch)
A light-bodied red with lots of cherry flavors and soft tannins from the German speaking part of the Tyrolian Alps. This is a single-vineyard wine made from Venatsch (Schiava) the smaller berried cousin to the Edelvenatch.

2015 Chateau de Javernand, Chiroubles Vieilles Vignes  $21
Gamay
This high-toned Beaujolais comes from the oldest vines on the estate.  It is a rich and full-bodied wine with plenty of the bright, full concentration that comes from old vines. At the same time, it has attractive layers of ripe plum and blackberry fruits.
 
2014 Château de Caraguilhes Corbiers Rouge $16
The Caraguilhis rouge is a delicious organic red showing juicy red and black fruit-flavors with a soft texture made from Carignan, Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre grapes. Corbieres is in the Pyrenean hill country where little other than grapes grow due to the exceptionally dry conditions.  It is packed with character, warmth and a soft, enticing texture, this fantastic organic wine has great depth and intensity. With juicy ripe red and black fruits comes subtle hints of wild herbs and sweet spice, along with a gentle savouriness from Mourvèdre in the blend. This is full of Gallic character and rustic charm.  Pass the Gravy!

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 warming up for the holiday season here at the wine shop.  Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away and then we roll into December which is a fun time of year to be in the wine business.  Dodge the clouds and make your way into the shop to see what’s going on.

Saturday we have and especially festive line up for T-day and beyond:
2017 Pasquale Pelissero Nebbiolo Rosato Crose   $14
2016 Werner Näkel, Spätburgunder $40
Pinot Noir
2017 Chateau Coupe Roses Minervois La Bastide $17
Half Carignan and half Grenache with 5% Syrah,
2013 Fall Line Winery Cabernet Sauvignon $25
Giovanni Bosca Cardamaro Vino Amaro  $24

Sunday we are featuring two wines from Loire Valley winemaker Nicolas Idiart that would be great with the big bird.
2016 Nicolas Idiart Chenin Blanc  $14
This dry Chenin Blanc spent 10 months on lees in order to offer a plump mouthfeel with bright ginger-led core of yellow apple and fig with a mineral-tinged finish. Organic.
2018 Nicolas Idiart Pinot Noir  $14
This Loire Pinot is a great value.  Red berries with licorice and spices. It is harmonious and balanced, with a plump fruitiness and silky texture.

Wednesday, November 20th.
There are a few tickets left for the special Giovanni Rosso this Wednesday.

The wines of
Giovanni Rosso
With Davide Rosso
Wednesday, November 20th
6 to 8pm
Cavatappi Distribuzione, 4121 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134

 
Advance tickets are required for this event for $25 (plus tax) from Madrona Wine.
 
You get to try these wines:
2017 Giovanni Rosso Etna Bianco  $38
2016 Giovanni Rosso Etna Rosso  $55
2016 Giovanni Rosso Barbera d’Alba “Donna Margherita” DOC  $22
2017 Giovanni Rosso Langhe Nebbiolo DOC  $25
2014 Giovanni Rosso Barolo DOCG  $50
2014 Giovanni Rosso Barolo ‘Del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba” DOCG  $65
2014 Giovanni Rosso Barolo Serra DOCG  $95
2014 Giovanno Rosso Barolo Cerretta DOCG  $95
2016 Ester Canale Rosso Langhe Nebbiolo DOC  $200
2015 Ester Canale Rosso Barolo Vigna Rionda DOCG  $450

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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 getting darker earlier, so we rounded up a selection this Saturday to put a little light in your evenings. Come in and snuggle up.
 
2017 Pasquale Pelissero Nebbiolo Rosato Crose   $14
100% Nebbiolo.
From 10 years old vineyards in the village of Neive Pasquale’s Rosé take a price drop just in time for Thanksgiving.  Make the family happy.  Was $19 Now $14
 
2016 Werner Näkel, Spätburgunder $40
Pinot Noir
Werner Näkel was chosen wine maker of the year in 2004 in the Gault-Millau.  In 2011, Fallstaff, the leading wine publication in Austria, chose Werner Näkel for its highest award: his life’s work in wine!  In 2008 Decanter Magazine bestowed on Meyer-Näkel the International trophy for Pinot Noir.  The estate takes its name from the 1950 marriage of Paula Meyer and Willibald Näkel who went on to cultivate 1.5 hectares of vines in the Ahr Valley. Näkel and then his son, Werner, bucked the trend in German winemaking to produce sweet wines and instead focused on making dry, red wines with Pinot grapes grown on steep hillside vineyards. Madrona Wine is a big fan of this winery.
 
2017 Chateau Coupe Roses Minervois La Bastide $17
Half Carignan and half Grenache with 5% Syrah,
Chateau Coupe Roses has been in the Le Calvez family since 1614.  It is situated on the high plateau around the historic village of Minerve – long considered one of the best sites in Minervois.  La Bastide has notes of red cherries and a touch of bitter plum. The palate is dry with bright, fresh acidity, soft tannins, and a round texture.
 
2013 Fall Line Winery Cabernet Sauvignon $25
Fall Line’s 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon consists of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Boushey, Artz, and Red Willow Vineyards. The wine has aromas of graphite, herb and red and black fruit lead to a soft palate backed by fine grained tannins.  And a special tasting price!!
 
Giovanni Bosca Cardamaro Vino Amaro  $24
This secret family recipe was developed over the last century by the Bosca Family. Using cardoon, Blessed thistle and several other botanicals, the Cardamaro is one of the most unique and interesting amaro currently available. It has aromas of cardamom, orange peel, brown spice, saffron; flavors of citrus, brown sugar, slight astringency, brandied orange peel; and a finish of more brown spice, golden raisin, and Grand Mariner.

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.

The wines of
Giovanni Rosso
With Davide Rosso
Wednesday, November 20th
6 to 8pm
Cavatappi Distribuzione, 4121 1st Ave S, Seattle

We are pleased to offer an opportunity to taste ten wines of Giovanni Rosso from their Piemonte and Etna estates. The wines will be presented by Davide Rosso direct from Italy.  Salume e formaggio will be on hand to refresh the palate. The tasting is from 6 to 8 on Wednesday November 20th at Cavatappi’s meeting space in SODO.  Copious parking available.  Here is a link to an article with more info about Davide. 
https://www.winespectator.com/articles/barolo-star-davide-rosso-on-sicily-mount-etna
 

Advance tickets are required for this event for $25 (plus tax) from Madrona Wine Merchants.

 
The wines:

2017 Giovanni Rosso Etna Bianco  $38
Wine Enthusiast: 94 points – Spanish broom, lemon drop and ripe orchard fruit are just some of the aromas you’ll find on this stunning white. The aromas carry to the linear, elegant palate, with additional tones of Meyer lemon, apricot, Mediterranean herbs and salt. Tangy acidity provides balance throughout.
 
2016 Giovanni Rosso Etna Rosso  $55
Wine Enthusiast: 93 points – Aromas of red berries, crushed mint and violet meld with eucalyptus and smoke on the nose. On the elegant, youthfully austere palate, it shows taut, refined tannins offset by flavors of Marasca cherry, strawberry compote and star anise alongside bright acidity. It closes on an alluring spice note.
 
2016 Giovanni Rosso Barbera d’Alba “Donna Margherita” DOC  $22
 
2017 Giovanni Rosso Langhe Nebbiolo DOC  $25
 
2014 Giovanni Rosso Barolo DOCG  $50
Wine Advocate: 90 Points – The 2014 Barolo is characteristic of the vintage. This is a mid-weight Nebbiolo with bright aromas of candied cherry, cola, licorice and moist potting soil. These aromas come together with careful precision, and although the wine is compact in texture, it leaves a long and satisfying trail of silky, smooth tannins.
 
2014 Giovanni Rosso Barolo ‘Del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba” DOCG  $65
 Vinous: 91 Points – Davide Rosso’s 2014 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba is a delicious appellation-level wine. Deceptively medium in body, the 2014 packs quite a bit of punch, with plenty of Serralunga tannin enshrouding the fruit. Smoke, scorched earth, and licorice add to the wines virile expression of Nebbiolo. There is quite a bit to admire in this overachieving, village-level Barolo. Well done.
Wine Advocate: 91 Points – Starting with a slightly heavier footprint, the 2014 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba is a tightly knit wine that is packed carefully with wild berry, cassis and dried cranberry aromas. The fiber of the wine is slightly more robust compared to the annata 2014 Barolo that I tasted in this same flight. These wines by Giovanni Rosso are distinguished by the smooth consistency of their tannins.
 
2014 Giovanni Rosso Barolo Serra DOCG  $95
Vinous: 92 Points – The 2014 Barolo Serra shows off lovely depth for the year, with plenty of dark red cherry and plum fruit. Menthol, new leather, licorice and spice appear later, adding shades of nuance. Medium in body and yet resonant, with a bit more depth than some of the other wines in the range, the Serra is a complete wine. Silky tannins add a measure of near-term appeal, and yet there is a good bit of stuffing here as well.
 
2014 Giovanno Rosso Barolo Cerretta DOCG  $95
Wine Advocate: 92+ Points – From one of the most celebrated crus in Serralunga d’Alba, the 2014 Barolo Cerretta reveals a delicate but firm personality with pretty, intermingled notes of wild berries and fresh violets. This wine is still very much in a state of primary-fruit intensity with pretty brightness and glossy inner shine. This wine speaks to the most fruit-driven side of the vintage.
 
2016 Ester Canale Rosso Langhe Nebbiolo DOC  $200
 
2015 Ester Canale Rosso Barolo Vigna Rionda DOCG  $450
Wine Enthusiast 97 points – Earthy aromas of wild red berry, underbrush, new leather and tar come together on the nose of this delicious, enveloping red. The elegant, full-bodied palate delivers ripe brandied cherry, juicy raspberry, truffle, licorice and baking spice set against a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins. It’s already impressive, but give it time to develop even more complexity. Drink 2025–2035.

Hubert Laugner is the 11th generation Vigneron in a long line of winemakers from the Laugner & Allimant families that dates back to the 1500’s! The vines are planted around the hillside vineyards of this far-eastern French region along the Rhine River. Hubert Laugner has both skills and well-preserved traditions to create this amazing Riesling. He specializes in blending vines of different ages to give character and structure to his wines. He tends to 26 acres of limestone soil with vines aging from 5 to 55 years old. He employs traditional vinification with the use of natural yeasts and no oak aging.
 
Cremant d’Alsace Brut Rosé $24
The Crémant Rosé is a sparkling wine produced in Alsace by the Champenoise method and made with 100% Pinot Noir. It is aged 11 months before disgorgement and is meant to be consumed while fresh and young. The grapes are the first to be manually harvested to keep the youthfulness and coolness of the citrus fruit flavors. And when you open it, you will be greeted by fresh aromas of strawberries and wonderful minerality. This is easy to drink with the light, creamy bubbles and a crisp, flowery tang.
 
2016 Sylvaner $17
The origin of this varietal was probably in Austria. Behind its light color we find a dry, fresh and fruity wine with citrus aromas. The mouth is open and pleasant, exactly the type of wine for shellfish, fish or oysters.
 
2017 Riesling $17
100% Riesling, fermented in stainless steel tanks and bone dry. The Riesling grape grows exceptionally well in Alsace and has developed its own style. The nose is full of notes of lemon, white flowers, and granny smith apples. The flavors are very fresh and clear, not sweet at all.  
 
2015 Grand Cru Riesling “Praelatenberg” $25
This single Grand cru vineyard has a terroir of granite and gneiss that brings a delicious minerality to the wine. Pale yellow color that offers fresh aromas of citrus on the nose, and a well-balanced mouthfeel that revels bright lemon and a fine veil of leesy yeast and a dry lip-smacking finish.

2017 Pinot Noir $20
This was probably the first grape imported from Burgundy during the middle age. It is still the only red wine we produce, a light, dry and fruity wine. The nose is full of red berries (cherries, redcurrants.)

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.