There is a lot going on this weekend in Madrona.  The sun is out, but there is more than yard work to do.

Saturday is the opening day of boating season, and the University and Montlake bridges will have their arms in the air for a lot of the day.  Good reason to stay close to home and drink some wine.  We’ll have a great sampling of local wines open in the afternoon. 
2014 Naches Heights Vineyard, Pinot Gris 
2015 Tertulia Cellars, Tempranillo Rosé
2013 Wilridge Winery, Clifton Vineyard Nebbiolo
2012 Holloran, La Chenaie Tempranillo 
2009 Tertulia Cellars, Redd Brand Red 

Saturday is also The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby and we’ll be watching the race at the shop at 3:30.

Sunday is Mother’s Day and we’ll be pouring a new deal on Pink Champagne to celebrate.

Antoine de Clairvoy, Rosé Champagne  $18
Antoine de Clairvoy Rosé is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier with an addition of 15% Premier Cru Red Wine. It opens up in the glass to reveal deep aromas of small woodland strawberries followed by sparkling notes of black currants and red currants, ending with more delicate spicy notes such as vanilla and cinnamon. The mousse is creamy and long-lasting. A lively, fruity and fresh Champagne!
Was $35, Now $18

Sunday is also the artist reception for our new show Wildlife — pen & ink and watercolor drawings by Irene Akio.  Come see the new work and meet the artist from 3 to 5.

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 sipping close to home.  We’ll be trying local wines from Washington and Oregon.  Some are even made just down the block.  We have a tasty assortment of varietals to please the palate.

Come join us
 
2014 Naches Heights Vineyard, Pinot Gris  $13
This Washington Pinot Gris comes from the cooler Naches Heights AVA on the east facing slope just west of Yakima.  Phil Cline grows his grapes sustainably, organically and Bio-Dynamically.  His Pinot Gris has aromas of citrus, honeysuckle, peach skin and ripe pear in the front and mid palate combined with crisp flavors of apple with hints of melon.  Organic, 13% alcohol by volume
 
2015 Tertulia Cellars, Tempranillo Rosé $16
Not often see outside of Spain, this Tempranillo rosé comes from Walla Walla.  The new vintage is just released so we can try it together.
 
2013 Wilridge Winery, Clifton Vineyard Nebbiolo  $20
Wilridge is the closest winery to Madrona Wine Merchants.  Winemaker Paul Beveridge has been making Wilridge wines for over twenty years.   And his love for Italian varietals is pronounced.   Paul’s Nebbiolos have been a series of hits and misses, but the 2013 from Clifton Vineyard fruit is a definite hit.  Clean cherry fruit and enough subtitle tannins to keep you sipping.

2012 Holloran, La Chenaie Tempranillo  $23
Holloran has five estate vineyards in the Willamette Valley which they farm sustainably and organically.  Their Tempranillo is from their La Chenaie Vineyard in the Eola-Amity AVA.  The wine is clean and elegant, more Rioja than Walla Walla.

2009 Tertulia Cellars, Redd Brand Red  $12
52 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Tertulia Cellars specializes in terroir driven wines from the Walla Walla valley.  Their second label Redd Brand was named after a rancher by the name of Bill Redd. He was founder of the Red Meadow Bar in Helena, Montana. Cowboys and ranch hands gathered at this bar after a long day of hard and dusty labor to “wet their whistle.  The red paisley design is reminiscent of a cowboy ‘kerchief.  Both were a horrible marketing decision.  As a result, we get a good deal on this Washington blend.  The wine has aromas of cherry, coconut and black olive followed by full ripe fruit and a nice structure.  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.

Take time out from the May Day Revolutions and fill your May Day Basket with these new arrivals and bargains. A delightful Pinot Gris from Oregon paired with a very drinkable Lirac French. Pouring all day from 11 to 5.

2014 Abiqua Wind Pinot Gris    ($12)
A full Oregon Pinot Gris from a small estate with a good balance of fruit to acidity.
13.5% alcohol by volume

2014 Domaine Amido Lirac    ($14)
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre
According to Abaji: “This is a very drinkable wine and a good value. Tobacco, clove, light fruit, almost absent of tannins but has good depth, not too light. This bottle vanished frighteningly quickly.” Was $16, Now $14

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.

Small Vineyards is a local importer specializing in small production wines from Italy. Why? Because they believe, like us, that the very best consistency and value in wines generally comes from smaller estates. If you think about it, it’s a lot easier to make a great meal for 5 people than for 500, and winemaking is no different. Come by on Saturday and see the small banquet we have in store.

2014 Giocato Pinot Grigio $11
This Pinot Grigio is made from grapes hand-selected from some of the best sites along the Italian border in Slovenia. It is bright and crisp, with aromas of delicious green apple, acacia flower, and almonds. Ready to enjoy now. 12.5% alcohol by volume.

2014 Le Rote Vernaccia $15
Vernaccia di San Gimignano has the honor of being Italia’s first ever D.O.C. wine (1966), promoted in 1993 to D.O.C.G. This wine is a bright, exciting, floral delight with cleansing citrus and a lush body. Made by the Scotti family, this is the best Vernaccia we have come across in years. Why? These 35-year-old vines pack loads of Old World minerality into every sip. 13% alcohol by volume.

2011 Casa Contini Brindisi Reserva $12
Negroamaro, Malvasia, Sangiovese
A truly elegant, lush Negroamaro-based wine, with classic alluring, dark fruits and exotic spices. Aged 2 years in 50 hl oak barrels, it boasts lovely, granular tannins, and a smoothness that belies the typical southern Italian wine category. An extraordinary value, and a unique selection that is very hard to find! 13% alcohol by volume

2014 La Quercia Montepluciano di Abruzzo $11
100% Montepulciano
This Montepulciano is a great example of what can happen when you match low-yield winemaking expertise with a prolific growing zone, and constantly cut, cut, cut back the vines. Made by winemaker Antonio Lamona, the result is one of the best quality, most expressive and balanced Montepulcianos around. This wine is also 100% organic, and delivers as a wine that takes no shortcuts. 13% alcohol by volume.

2012 Lonardi Ripasso $24
75% Corvina, 20% Rondinella. 5% Molinara
Ripasso refers to the re-passing of Valpolicella Classico through the pressed, raisined skins used for Amarone. These skins are aromatic, high in alcohol and flavor, and are very valuable; that is why true Ripasso is a small production wine. Some brands attempt to short-cut the process by adding residual sugar–but not Giuseppe. This offering from Lonardi has cranberry notes with chocolate that epitomizes the characteristics of Corvina.

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’ve only got one bottle open today – BUT WHAT A DEAL! The producer/importer of this lovely Bordeaux dropped the price to raise some cash. And we jumped at the chance to pick it up.

2005 Château de Clairvoy, Côtes de Bourg ($14)
75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon,
7% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
Château de Clairvoy sits on limestone slopes on the right bank of the Gironde. The wine from their estate vineyards is aged for 18 to 24 months in barrels before bottling. The 2005 is rich and full, drinking great right now with several more years ahead. Its velvety dark frit blends with a licorice note and some spicy herbal undertones.
Was $25 now $14

Buy it by the case and take an additional 15% off. That’s only $11.90 a bottle.

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 weather this weekend looks to be what we use to call normal here in Madrona — a little bit of grey, a flash of blue, and off and on bits of moisture.  Perfect weather for a glass of wine.

Saturday we are celebrating Earth Day with some outstanding organic wine.  All these vineyards are organically and sustainably farmed although they may not be certified.  These wine makers just do the right thing without making a big fuss about it.  Their wines however ARE worth making a fuss over. 
2013 Thomas Sancerre La Crele
2015 Chateau d’Or et de Gueules, Rose “Les Cimels”
2013 Selvapiana  Chianti Rufina
2008 Alejandro Fernández , Dehesia la Granja
2013 Beaucastel Coudoulet Rouge

Sunday, we’re tasting a perfectly aged Bordeaux at a fantastic price that just hit the door of the shop. 

2005 Château de Clairvoy, Côtes de Bourg   Was $25 now $14

75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
Château de Clairvoy is aged for 18 to 24 months in barrels before bottling. The 2005 is rich and full, drinking great right now with several more years ahead.  Its velvety dark fruit blends with a licorice note and some spicy herbal undertones.
By the case it is only $11.90 a bottle.  It is like getting an instant wine cellar.

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 celebrating Earth Day this week by pouring wine from some of our favorite organic producers.  All these vineyards are organically and sustainably farmed although they may not be certified.  These wine makers just do the right thing without making a big fuss about it.  Their wines however ARE worth making a fuss over.  They are fine examples from the Loire, Costieres de Nimes, Chianti, Zamora, & the Rhône.

2013 Thomas Sancerre La Crele $25
Sauvignon Blanc
The Thomas family has been growing grapes and making wine in Sancerre since 1670. The Thomas’  19 hectares  encompass all three soils types in the appellation: flinty soils, Kimmeridgian limestone, and gravelly slopes of caillottes.  It is not a lean Sancerre; rather, both their terroir and the house style make a wine of great amplitude and texture, with a long, lingering finish.

2015 Chateau d’Or et de Gueules, Rose “Les Cimels” $13
4% Cinsault, 33% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre
A dry and elegantly full blend with flavors of Strawberry, mineral, and sweet herbs.

2013 Selvapiana  Chianti Rufina $17
95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo
this opens with aromas of pressed rose, crushed violet, wild berry and a whiff of baking spice. The vibrant, focused palate delivers juicy red cherry, raspberry, white pepper, cinnamon and dried herb. It’s well-balanced with supple tannins and bright acidity.”

2008 Alejandro Fernández , Dehesia la Granja $19
Tempranillo
The third single vineyard estate from the makers of Pesquera. The wine is aged two years in American oak, and bottled unfiltered.  The wine is smoky with dark fruit, toasty oak and dark chocolate aromas on the nose.  It is full-bodied, smooth and brooding Spanish red.

2013 Beaucastel, Coudoulet Rouge $32
40% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 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 Cotes 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.

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 like beautiful weather this weekend here in Madrona.  And we have some beautiful wines to go with it. So take a break and swing by the shop and have a taste.

Saturday we pouring a solid line up of Bordeaux that over deliver in deliciousness.
2013 Chateau Ducasse, Graves Blanc
2012 Chateau Garrineau, Rouge
2012 Maison Givas, Saint Emilion
2010 Chateau Magondeau, Fronsac
2009 Le Bourdieu Medoc

Sunday we are coasting in the Mediterranean with a rosé from the Greek mainland, and Corsican Red from the Italian-named French island. Come try some Xinomavro and Niellcciu.  It should be perfect rosé weather.

2015 Diofili, Xinomavro Rosé   $11
From Greece this very dry rose offers great acidity, intense raspberry and strawberry flavors with a crisp mineral after taste. 12% alcohol by volume

2014 Petroni, Corsican Red   $12
50% Niellucciu, 35% Syrah, 15% Grenache
A good versatile red for Corsica, the wine has aromas of red fruit (strawberries, blackcurrant and raspberries) as well as delicate spice and a light minerality. It is supple on entry to the palate with red fruit flavors and subtle roasted notes. 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.

Sometimes it only takes a word to get the mouth salivating.  One of those words is definitely Bordeaux.  The British have been crazy about drinking the wine from the region since the 12^th century.  And while the big Crus draw the oohs and ahhs, its less prestigious wines are a staple on any good table.  This Saturday we’re pouring five Bordeaux that anyone can afford and that no one should want to miss.  They might even draw some oohs and ahhs.

2013 Chateau Ducasse, Graves Blanc $17
60% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc
This mineral streaked Grave comes from 40-year-old vines.  The Sauvignon Blanc brings aromas of pineapple, citrus and white flowers While the Semillon adds complexity and roundness. It is tangy, with savory notes backed by a core of bitter citrus and followed by a crisp finish.  12.5% alcohol by volume

2012 Chateau Garrineau, Rouge $14
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
Garrineau dates back to 1862 in Entre Deux Mers.  The grapes for the rouge come from 25-year-old vines.  The wine has aromas of cassis, blueberries and a full, dry chewy body.  12.5% alcohol by volume

2012 Maison Givas, Saint Emilion $18
60% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot
This St. Em satellite drinks way above its price.  Blackcurrant, cherry and raspberry notes combine with cedar and vanilla undertones, smooth tannins and good finish. 12.5% alcohol by volume

2010 Chateau Magondeau, Fronsac $18
Merlot
From the great 2010 vintage, this Merlot comes from 40-year-old vines and ages for 18 months in epoxy lined vats. This Fronsac has red fruit aromas backed by spicy hints and a full tannic structure.  14% alcohol by volume

2009 Le Bourdieu Medoc $22
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot
“This is a lovely Cru Bourgeois: very pure and feminine on the nose with crisp red berries, redcurrant and candied orange peel. The palate is fleshy but not cloying with layers of ripe sweet red fruit, leading to a very lithe sensual finish where the oak is supremely well integrated.” — Wine Advocate.  13.5% 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.

Having survived April Fool’s Day, we have a deal that only a fool would turn down – create your own Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf de Pape vertical. We negotiated special pricing on the last of the 2011 which we will have open for tasting, and we have the 2010 and 2012 available for purchase to complete your vertical.

2011 Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf du Pape    ($40)
65% Grenache, 35% Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault
“Vivid ruby. Dark berry and floral scents show very good clarity and spicy lift. Offers gently sweet black and blue fruit flavors that spread out with air, picking up subtle anise and sassafras nuances and a hint of white pepper. Lingers with very good energy and spiciness and gentle tannic grip.” — Josh Raynolds Was $70, Now $40

We also have the 2010 and 2012 vintages available to complete your vertical.

2010 Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf du Pape    ($70)
65% Grenache, 16% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah, 5% Cinsault
A very full rich CNDP with a big mouthfeel and licorice, earth and mineral notes. It is aged in neutral barrels so there is nothing here but pure clean fruit from a great vintage.
13% alcohol by volume

2012 Domaine La Barroche Châteauneuf du Pape    ($50)
65% Grenache, 16% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah, 5% Cinsault
“Bright ruby. Candied red fruits, spicecake and minerals on the highly perfumed nose, with an exotic blood orange nuance in the background. Juicy and precise, displaying very good clarity and lift to its sappy raspberry and cherry flavors. Darker in tone on the finish, clinging with impressive tenacity and appealing sweetness.” —
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Review, 01/2014 Was $70, now $50

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.