Today we have THREE Malbecs open for tasting – was going to be two, but for the next bit we have some of yesterday’s Malbec that still tasting good.

From France:

2012 Les Fiefs d’Anglars Malbec    ($10)
Vin de Pays du Lot
A great value Malbec from Cahors with good full fruit and scents of red and black fruit, pepper and spices.12.5% alcohol by volume

From Chile:

2013 Echeverria Gran Reserva    ($12)
Malbec
A Chilean Malbec that sets itself off from its Argentinian neighbors. Full and soft plummy fruit, with violet aromas and a smooth round finish.

From Washington State:

2012 Malbec, Estate, Wahluke Slope $20
Aromas of blueberry, plum and violets. Fabulous balance of fruit, tannin and acidity. The flavors roll from blackberries and dark plums to a floral/herbal note of violets and lavender. The well-heeled mouth feel brings a light note of vanilla to the finish. Try this versatile wine with grilled (or plumb) duck, steak, pasta Bolognese, roast turkey, Mexican style chicken mole.   GOLD – North Central Washington Wine awards.

CURRENT SCORE

A little over an hour into the competition – it’s neck-n-neck.

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.

Join us Sunday for MALBEC MANIA – a smackdown tasting with two Malbecs, one from the feisty French, the other from the cunning Chileans. We’ll be posting the score throughout the day. Come vote with your wallet.

2012 Les Fiefs d’Anglars Malbec    ($10)
Vin de Pays du Lot
A great value Malbec from Cahors with good full fruit and scents of red and black fruit, pepper and spices.12.5% alcohol by volume

2013 Echeverria Gran Reserva    ($12)
Malbec
A Chilean Malbec that sets itself off from its Argentinian neighbors. Full and soft plummy fruit, with violet aromas and a smooth round finish.

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 morning fog is burning off and turning into sunshine here in Madrona.  It’s a perfect afternoon for a walk through the forest.

Saturday at 2pm, we’ll be walking through the wines of Ginkgo Forest Winery, a Washington estate on Waluke Slope.  The wines are full of varietal character and reasonably priced.  You can imagine the breeze through the trees while you taste the vines.  We’ll be trying their:

Botanical White Blend (33% Viognier, 33% Riesling, 33% Gewuztraminer)
Sangiovese
Malbec
Coalesce Red (34% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre, 33% Syrah)
Melange de la Forêt  (42% Carmenere, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc)

Sunday it’s MALBEC MANIA – a smackdown tasting with two Malbecs, one from the feisty French, the other from the cunning Chileans.  It is the perfect sport for after the Seahawks.

2012 Les Fiefs d’Anglars Malbec $10
Vin de Pays du Lot
A great value Malbec from Cahors with good full fruit and scents of red and black fruit, pepper and spices.

2013 Echeverria Gran Reserva  $12
Malbec
A Chilean Malbec that sets itself off from its Argentinian neighbors.  Full and soft plummy fruit, with violet aromas and a smooth round finish.

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.

Ginkgo Forest’s vineyard and winery are located on the Wahluke Slope one of Washington’s great AVAs.  The winery is named for the ginkgo trees that millions of years ago covered that area of eastern Washington.   Now grapes thrive where there once was forest.   Stop by this Saturday as we pour a line up their intriguing wines.   You can imagine the breeze through the trees while you taste the vines.  These wines seem to clean up the medals at the local taste offs.
 
2013 Ginkgo Botanical Series White Blend, Estate, Wahluke Slope $18
33% Viognier, 33% Riesling, 33% Gewuztraminer
Wonderful floral notes on the nose bringing your senses to a cleaver zing of spices and pleasing acidity. Clean stone fruit and honeydew melon flow into a ripe pineapple experience. Try it with salads, shrimp, shellfish of all sorts, sturgeon or any white fish. BRONZE – North Central Washington Wine Awards
 
2010 Sangiovese, Estate, Wahluke Slope $15
Aroma and flavors of plum, pomegranate, cranberry, and spice. BEST BUY OF ITALIAN REDS – Wine Press NW, 2013 • BRONZE – Great Northwest Wines, 2013
 
2012 Malbec, Estate, Wahluke Slope $20
Aromas of blueberry, plum and violets. Fabulous balance of fruit, tannin and acidity. The flavors roll from blackberries and dark plums to a floral/herbal note of violets and lavender. The well-heeled mouth feel brings a light note of vanilla to the finish. Try this versatile wine with grilled (or plumb) duck, steak, pasta Bolognese, roast turkey, Mexican style chicken mole.   GOLD – North Central Washington Wine awards.
 
2011 Coalesce Red, Estate, Wahluke Slope $26
34% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre, 33% Syrah
A delightful Rhone Blend. Grenache dominant with soft spiced berry flavors. Mourvèdre adds earthy notes and deep color. Syrah brings structure with black pepper and olives. GOLD – North Central Wine Awards, 2014
 
2013 Melange de la Forêt Red Blend $24
42% Carmenere, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc
A carnival of fruit with floral notes on the nose. Flavors of Rubrum Lilly, hibiscus, spices and a light cocoa afterglow. Pleasant, smooth tannins holding on just enough to reach the lovely finish. Wonderful as an aperitif wine or enjoy with Filet Mignon, Osso Bucco, or a nice pot roast. SILVER – North Central Washington Wine Awards

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 has arrived!  And to start the year off right, this weekend we’ll be pouring some delicious wines to get the year going on the right foot.

Saturday We’ve got some great values from the Loire, Sicily, Rioja and the Piedmont, and we have a nice lazy weekend to enjoy them in.

2014 Pichot, Coteau de la Biche, Vouvray Sec  $13
Chenin Blanc
This wine is warm, rounded and packed with fruit. Baked apple and spice are combined with almond and honey flavors. The wine is dry, very fresh while also concentrated and dense.

2010 Valle dell ‘Acate Cerasuolo di Vitoria  $15
70% Nero d’Avola, 30% Frappato
Sicily’s only DOCG, the Cerasuolo has scents of mature blackberry and raspberry with notes of soft spices like licorice and cacao.  The flavors are soft and velvety. The tannins are balanced.  The wine is addictive, and now on deal.  Was $23 now $15

2005 Leza Garcia Rioja Alta Reserva  $16
Tempranillo
The wine is aged for 24 months in a combination of American and French oak barrels followed by an additional 5 years of bottle. It has a rich and elegant nose. On the palate it is complex with well-rounded ripe red fruit flavors, and has a lingering deeply fruity finish. Was $20 now $16

2010 Pasquale Pelissero. Bricco San Giuliano Barbaresco  $30
A family estate, single-vineyard Barbaresco that comes from an 8-hectare parcel of 25-year-old vines at about 400 meters above sea level.  The wine is aged for 2 years (90 % in large botte and 10% in New French barrels)  The wine has plum, cherry, licorice and leather notes on a broad frame. It is tight and dense, with a lingering, fresh finish and dusty tannins.

Sunday we’ll be have two Rhône Reds to compare and contrast.

2012 Pasquiers Côtes du Rhône    $10
Grenache, Syrah
Gluggable but serious, full of red berry fruit which makes it so seductive and easy to drink but alongside this beguiling fruit lurks a beautiful floral note and a sophisticated garrigue, herbal finish.

2012 Michel Gassier Cercius Vieilles Vignes Visan  $15
85% Grenache, 15% Syrah
Made from 80+ year vines the Cercius has dark berries and wood smoke lifted by a spicy element. It finishes with gentle tannins and subtle anise and cola qualities.

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.

Happy Boxing Day!

We’ve made it through Hanukkah, the Solstice and Christmas here in Madrona.  Before we get to New Years, it’s time for a break.  We ‘re looking to a full relaxing weekend that starts with Boxing Day. 

Saturday we’re we are pulling the corks on four favorite wines.  There is no punch in these beauties, just smooth, full delicious flavor.  Take a break and stroll on up to the shop for a taste.  It is also the first day of Kwanzaa, a week of feasting and celebration that calls for a good bottle or two.

2013 Quinta Apolonia Belondrade  $18
100% Verdejo
A full Verdejo from Castilla y Leon.  30% comes from the cellar’s signature wine Belondrade y Lurton  which is fermented and aged in French oak barrels for three months -the other 70% from the property’s youngest vines which are fermented slowly in stainless steel tanks. The wine is light and crisp on the tongue with notes of stone and citric fruits and an ever so slight acidity, while the palate is round and full leaving behind long-lasting aromas.

2014 Gray, Syrah  $17
This 100% Syrah with fruit from the famed Den Hoed Vineyard, was crafted by Kerloo Cellars Winemaker Ryan Crane.  It full of dark dry fruit with a bit of earth and spice.

2013 Moulin de la Gardette Gigondas, Cuvée Tradition  $27
80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault
For five generations the Meunier family has devoted itself to caring for the vines on the upper garrigue slopes of Les Dentelles. The Cuvee Tradition is rich and luxurious with soft tannins and a long finish.  A nose of herbs, plums and warm rooftops, then a supple almost gamey palate, with hints of aniseed on the finish. A lick of Mediterranean rusticity adds texture and color to the impeccably ripe black fruit.

2012 JB Neufeld, Yakima Valley Cabernet  $36
89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc
Justin Neufeld is the winemaker at Gilbert Cellars as well as an assorted lot of other folks.  We like his Gilbert wines but we especially like the wines he makes for his own label.  A three vineyard blend this year in JB’s Yakima Cabernet.  A full fisted but not heavy handed Washington Cabernet.

Sunday we’ll be pouring a couple of warming Reds from Italy.

2008 Colognole Chianti Rufina $13
Sangiovese
Medium deep red. Hints of fruitiness red berries, herbs and tobacco. Dry, acid finish, perfect with short ribs, good value.

2012 Terre del Barolo, Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC $13
Terre del Barolo is a collective winery located in the heart of Barolo sourcing fruit from its 400 members.  This Nebbiolo ages for 12 months in large Slavonian Oak barrels.  The wine has the characteristic aromas of leather, rose petals, & cherry.

After that we will be closed Monday but after that open again on Tuesday and open for the rest of the year.  Come grab some bubbles to ring in the New Year.

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.

Sunday we’ll be pouring two classic old world wines to keep the chill of the longest night out of the bones. After the 22^nd of December the days start getting longer. That’s something to toast to.

2013 Cá Salgari Valpolicella $15
Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara and Croatina
This Classic Classico shows fragrant notes of red flowers, fruits and prominent notes of cherries, soft tannins and good persistence. 12.5% alcohol by volume

2012 Triennes, Saint Auguste $15
Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Saint Auguste is Triennes’ flagship wine, coming from a selection of their best cuvées. The wine is rich with alluring aromas of ripe black cherries, nutmeg and clove. The palate is full of life with plenty of structure. Was $18 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.

The sun is poking out of the clouds in Madrona this morning.  Maybe to remind us that the Solstice is coming and the days will once again start getting longer.  Let’s celebrate!

Saturday we’re pouring a fine line up of Northwest wines to fit the season.  The wines hail from Walla Walla and other sundry parts of Washington.  We’ve picked some classic winemakers.
2013 Gård Vintners, Freyja White Blend
2010 Helix, Sangiovese
2013 Syncline, Subduction Red
2012 Reininger, Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Stephenson Cellars Syrah

Sunday we’ll be pouring two classic old world wines to keep the chill of the longest night out of the bones. 

2013 Cá Salgari Valpolicella  $15
Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara and Croatina
This Classic Classico shows fragrant notes of red flowers, fruits and prominent notes of cherries, soft tannins and good persistence.

2012 Triennes, Saint Auguste  $15
Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Saint Auguste is Triennes’ flagship wine, coming from a selection of their best cuvées.  The wine is rich with alluring aromas of ripe black cherries, nutmeg and clove.  The palate is full of life with plenty of structure. Was $18 now $15

And it is a good time for Holiday shopping.  We’ll be closed on Monday, but 12 to 7 Tuesday to Thursday this coming week.  Wine makes a great gift and is seldom regifted.

Washington Wines for the Season,
Saturday, December 19^th, 2_pm

We’re coming home for the Holidays. This Saturday we’re pouring a fine line up of Northwest wines to fit the season. The wines hail from Walla Walla and other sundry parts of Washington, but they have bit of a European inspiration.

2013 Gård Vintners, Freyja White Blend $14
67% Viognier, 33% Roussanne
More Roussanne gives this Rhone inspired white more volume and weight. The Freyja has a mixture of pear, citrus and stone fruit with notes of honeysuckle and white tea.

2010 Helix, Sangiovese $16
This neutral oak aged Sangiovese from Walla Walla winemaker Chuck Reininger is aged and ready to go. “Fresh Raspberry and cranberry erupt from the glass with the first pour then immediately morph into their darker counterparts melded with pepper, allspice and cracked leather. A soft palate with a little more than moderate acidity brings forth pomegranate, black raspberry, and plum with date and black olive, sprinkled with allspice, celery seed, and a hint of black pepper. The acidity hooks into the finish accentuating the black raspberry with a hint of raisin.”

2013 Syncline, Subduction Red $20
31% Mouvedre, 25% Syrah, 21% Grenache, 12% Cinsault 7% Carignan, 4% Guess?
A blend of classic southern French varieties that are unique and expressive on their own; with each contributing to create a harmonious whole. Ripe and hedonistic, this charming wine exhibits flavors of dark berries and black pepper; This blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Counoise, Grenache and Cinsault immediately appeals with its aromas of plum, candied raspberry and garrigue, with no oak influence anywhere in sight. It’s fruit laden, focused and supple,

2012 Reininger, Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon $32
96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
From Pepper Bridge & Seven Hills Vineyards, Chuck Reininger’s Walla Walla Cab has “spirited aromatics of black cherry, currant, plum, a suggestion of rose buds and a breath of baking spice. Its lively palate plays with road stand fresh red cherries, black raspberries, figs and black currants, with interplaying tell tales of herb, loamy minerals, and graphite. The wine’s vivacious character is perfectly balanced by very fine tannins that extend long into the finish of buoyant cherry fruit.

2008 Stephenson Cellars Syrah $32
Dave Stephenson arrived in Walla Walla in 1999 to work at Waterbrook Winery and was able to hone his skills making wine for both their label and their custom crush clients before starting his own winery. This 100% Syrah opens with a floral-infused perfume on the nose. Rose petal is most pronounced, with a noticeable dose of jasmine and orange blossom that intermingles and awakens the senses immediately. The flavors are powerful red fruits such as currants, cranberry and ripe raspberry with a subtle touch of tannin to anchor the lengthy finish. Classic Syrah elements such as cracked pepper, spice and a hint of smoke and game are noticeable after the glass is put down and the palate clears.

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 Special Club, or Club Trésors de Champagne, was founded in 1971 by 12 of the oldest families of the Champagne region. Since then, the club has expanded to include 26 producers of grower Champagne. The members of the Club act as their own judge and jury. Every year they taste one other’s vin claire or still base wine which is only submitted for review when the producer truly feels it could be something really special. Not every member will submit a vin claire every year. The members of the club taste the base wines “blind”, and together decide which ones have the potential to be truly exceptional Champagne. Once they’re approved, the wines undergo the second fermentation, and a minimum of 3 years of aging (twice as long as is required of other Champagnes) in the uniquely shaped Special-Club bottles. After that time, the Champagne is disgorged and tasted once again by the members of the Club. If it’s up to snuff, it can then be further aged and sold as Special Club Champagne.

Sunday the 20th we will be having a Reservation Only Special Tasting of 5 Special Club Champagnes.  

Space for this tasting is limited so contact us at info@madronawinemerchants.com.  We start at 5:30, have a few snacks to go with and you can still get home for Sunday dinner.

2007 José Michel Special Club Champagne Brut          $70
50% Pinot Meunier, 50% Chardonnay
This traditional grower has owned vineyards from 1847 is one of the oldest winegrowing families in the village of Moussy.  The grapes for the Special club are The vines are all at least 60 years old and represent the oldest plants in the Michel vineyard.

2006 Pierre Gimonnet Special Club Brut Blanc de Blancs   $90
From Grand Cru and 1er vineyards 65% Cramant (Grand Cru) 22.5% Chouilly (Grand Cru) and 12.5% Cuis (1er Cru) 8 years in bottle before disgorgement. Very dry (technically qualifies as Extra Brut).

2008 Roland Champion Special Club Chouilly Grande Cru            $75
Chardonnay
The big wine from this small grower is located in the Grand Cru Village of Chouilly.  Special clubs are only made by a small group of artisan growers who submit their best wine from good vintages to the group.

2007 Gaston Chiquet Special Club Champagne Brut   $75
70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir
From vineyards around the villages of Hautvillers, Dizy and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, the base wines for this Special Club are aged on lees a minimum of 7 years on average.

2010 Marc Hebrart Special Club Champagne Primier Cru  Brut    $80
55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay
The 2010 is a Vallée de la Marne, Coeur de Cuvée (heart of the free-run) blend of old vines that average 55 years of age. Jean-Paul says “Old vines don’t move from one year to the next and the best plots always produce the best grapes”

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.