Sunday we are pouring two wines from Arizona that may come in handy later in the week or later in the year. Both are on a bit of a markdown. Come have a taste; you might reconsider your feelings about Arizona (or at least their wine). And if that isn’t enough to keep your tongue happy, we’ll also be sampling a new locally produced Vermouth from Solera Bravo.

2010 Arizona Stronghold Dala Chardonnay $10
Pineapple and star fruit notes play off just a hint of fresh cream, almonds and baked apples in this broad chardonnay, which shows zesty, enlivening acidity, providing lots of muscle. The firm acidity finds precision balance with the silky, mouthwatering texture. Was $20 now $10

2012 Arizona Stronghold Nachise Red $12
42% Syrah, 30% Petite Sirah, 18% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre
A very spicy Southwest red blend with aromas of blackberries mixed with hints of mint, juniper, roasted desert herbs and white pepper corns. Long firm finish, with a hint of oak well-embedded and framed by medium tannins. Was $26 now $12

And last but not least:

Vermut Del Sol, Sweet Red Vermouth $26
From Solera Bravo Wines, this Vermouth is aged in the solera method blending the herbal infusions with Washington State Moscato. This is the first wine from this new Vermouthery. The owner will be pouring from 2-3.

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 has been a wet week in Madrona, and that calls for some bold wine with a dry finish.  Fortunately we happen to have some on hand.  Come by and see what is open.

Saturday we’re pouring robust wines for the holidays that are great for celebrating and gifts.  Capping the lineup will be the Sagrantino di Montefalco from Scacciadiavoli.  Few wines are bolder or drier than this indigenous grape from the hills of Montefalco in Umbria The wine is a dark purple, nearly black color with thick legs, and aromas of intense red fruit, plums, spice earth and leather. It has a big flavor with lots of good mouth drying tannins. We’ll also have four other favorites to tickle your fancy.

Sunday we’ll be pouring two specially priced wines from Arizona.

2010 Arizona Stronghold Dala Chardonnay   $10
Pineapple and star fruit notes play off just a hint of fresh cream, almonds and baked apples in this broad chardonnay, which shows zesty, enlivening acidity, providing lots of muscle.  The firm acidity finds precision balance with the silky, mouthwatering texture.  Was $20 now $10

2012 Arizona Stronghold Nachise Red   $12
42% Syrah, 30% Petite Sirah, 18% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre
A very spicy Southwest red blend with aromas of blackberries mixed with hints of mint, juniper, roasted desert herbs and white pepper corns. Long firm finish, with the a hint of oak well-embedded and framed by medium tannins.  Was $26 now $12

And Sunday we’ll also be tasting:
Vermut Del Sol, Sweet Red Vermouth $25
From Solera Bravo Wines, this Vermouth is aged in the solera method blending the herbal infusions with Washington State Moscato.  This is the first wine from this new local Vermouthery.  Master infuser Nacho Bravo will be on hand at 2pm to talk about his creation.

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.

‘Tis the Season! And this Saturday we’re pouring a lineup of robust wines for the holidays that work well for celebrating and gifts.  Come raise a glass with us.

2014 Cà dei Frati,I Frati, Lugana $19
Trebbiano
The I Frati is grown on the glacial soils south of Lake Garda from 10 to 35 year old vines. The warmer days give wine more weight and intensity than those from to the east. The cool nights from the moderating influence of the lake ensures the grapes retain nice aromas and acidity. This complex, lees aged white has concentrated, fresh aromas of white flowers, peaches and ripe lemons. On the palate it has excellent depth and richness and a lovely crisp, lively finish.
 
2011 Basel Cellars, Claret  $20
45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42 Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec, 6% Merlot
The new vintage of this favorite Bordeaux style blend from Walla Walla is from the cooler 2011 vintage.  The wine spent 20 months in barrel and shows hints of ripe cherry, cedar, perfume and pencil shaving aromas. Its red berry fruits integrate well smooth tannins and a good acidity framing the structure. The wine is classy and restrained with dark fruit and lingering notes of tobacco and leather.
 
2012 Ancient Peaks, Zinfandel  $18
Ancient peaks estate Margarita Vineyard stands alone as the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles region, tucked beneath the peaks of the Santa Lucia Mountains just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The Zinfandel offers fresh aromas of raspberry jam and dried cherry with notes of white pepper and cocoa. Supple, rounded flavors of briary blackberry, cherry and cedar unfold with trailing vanilla accents. A savory spiciness lingers on a smooth, refined finish.
 
2008 Scacciadiavoli, Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG $40
Sagrantino is indigenous to the hills of Montefalco in Umbria It is believed that the name comes from the early cultivation of the grape by monks for sacramental uses (Scacciadiavoli means drive away devils). What better holiday wine?  The wine is a dark purple, nearly black color with thick legs, and aromas of intense red fruit, plums, spice earth and leather. It has a big flavor with lots of good mouth drying tannins.
 
2011 Chateau Loupiac Gaudiet   $18–750 ml & $10–375ml
95% Semillon, 3% Sauvignon. 2% Muscadelle
A satellite of Sauternes, Château Loupiac Gaudiet’s vineyards face southward, on the hills that overlook the river Garonne in the village of Cadillac with vines that average 47 years. The morning mists and sunny autumn afternoons enable the “Botrytis Cinerea” to develop.  The grapes are picked by hand, in successive harvesting as soon as the Botrytis Cinerea appears.  This makes a great dessert wine with notes of passion fruit, dry apricots and honey. The taste is a delicious combination of crispness and rich fruit.

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 are pouring two wines that may come in handy later in the week or later in the year. Both are new arrivals for the holidays. Come have a taste.

2009 Château Barrabaque Cuvée Antoine    ($13)
Cannon Fronsac
The Cuvée Antoine is from a plot of 35-year-old vines & aged in second and third fill barriques. Blackcurrants and jammy dark fruit aromas lead to a robust palate full of more blackcurrant, cherries, a touch of vanilla spice and good supple tannin structure.
Think Bar-B-Que!

2009 Brusset Les Boudalles    ($10)
Grenache, Syrah, Carignan
A full and soft southern Rhone.
Was $12 now $10

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 the first weekend of December here in Madrona. We are looking forward to a fun month of eating and drinking and general festivity. And at Madrona Wine we have a few things going on this weekend to start it off.

Saturday we are having our annual all bubbles tasting with 5 frothy delights for your palate.  From the bone dry Brut Sauvage from Gruet to the amazingly rich Banniere Masterclass Champagne.  The corks come out at 2pm and it goes for as long as the bottles last. Come early, this tasting is always popular.

Sunday, we’ll will be pouring two Festive French Reds.

2009 Château Barrabaque,
Cannon Fronsac, Cuvée Antoine  $13
The Cuvée Antoine is from a plot of 35 year old vines & aged in second and third fill barriques.  Blackcurrants and jammy dark fruit aromas lead to a robust palate full of more blackcurrant, cherries, a touch of vanilla spice and good supple tannin structure. Think Bar-B-Que!

2009 Brusset Les Boudalles $10
A full and soft southern Rhone at a great price.
Was $12 now $10

And to top it off . . . Beautiful Burgundies.
There are still a few spots left Sunday Evening for our ever so classy Burgundy tasting.  For $20 you can taste:
1998 Pierre Morey, Bourgogne Aligote 
2011 Merlin, Pouilly Fuissé Clos des Quarts
2011 Vincent Girardin, Pommard Les Vignots 
2004 Lignier, Morey Saint Denis 1er — Les Chaffots  
2012 Bouchard, Gevery Chambertin 
We start at 5:30 on Sunday, have a few snacks to go with the wines and you can still get home for Sunday dinner.  Space for this tasting is limited so contact us to reserve a spot.

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 holidays and effervescence somehow just go together.  This Saturday we are pouring 5 frothy delights for your palate.  From the bone dry Brut Sauvage from Gruet to the amazingly rich Banniere Masterclass there is something for everyone. We are only opening one bottle of each wine so you’ll want to come promptly for this tasting. The corks come out at 2pm and we’ll be pouring the wine for as long as the bubbles last. 
 
Gruet Brut Sauvage Blanc de Blanc  $18
Chardonnay
From New Mexico comes zero  dosage domestic bubbles!  Aromas of bright mineral notes followed by traces of green apple, lemon Meringue pie, with a hint of daisy. This wine finishes with bright, crisp acidity on the palate with a light yet long finish. With limited residual sugar, the Sauvage is for the sparkling connoisseur who appreciates bone dry acidity.

Foss Marai, Prosecco Extra Dry  $15
A fruity, round, better quality bubbles from Veneto. Heady aromas of green apple, jasmine and wisteria almost jump out of the glass. On the frothy palate, notes of chopped, aromatic herbs add interest to the core of Bartlett pear and white peach. A soft mousse offsets the fruit flavors.
 
Domaine J. Laurens, Cremant de Limoux  $17
60% Chardonnay, 30% Chenin Blanc, 5% Mauzac, 5% Pinot Noir
Cremant de Limoux is the official name for a sparkling wine from Limoux in southern France near Carcassonne where sparkling wine was born.  The Laurens has zingy lemon-lime flavors which evolve into fuller pineapple and citrus, and light, cardamom-like spice.  Its rich yeasty character adds breadth and weight.
 
2010 Jean-Francois Merrieau, Touraine “Bulles” $20
90% Chenin Blanc, 10% Chardonnay
From the Loire, the Bulles is organically grown and aged on the lees for 18-20 months. The wines low dosage results in a refreshing, crisp wine, with a bright nose of apple and pears with hints of citrus. The palate is creamy and rich and the finish is juicy and long with lots of depth and a pretty label. 
 
Banniere, Masterclass Grand Cru Brut Champagne  $50
59% Pinot Noir, 41% Chardonnay
From a Grand Cru vineyard in Bouzy, the Masterclass has bright, luminous, golden bubbles with mixed aromas of dried fruit and minerality.  The palate is long and smooth with a well-balanced complexity.

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.

For some grapes soil is everything, and the wines from Burgundy are a prime example.  The Chardonnay tastes like none other in the world and the Pinot Noir responds to slight changes from plot to plot. We love these wines but the main drawback is that they seldom fit into our everyday price range.  But this coming Sunday we’ll be pulling the corks on some fine examples of Burgundy and enjoying the pleasures of the place.  Space for this tasting is limited so contact us (email info@madronawinemerchants.com) to reserve a space.  We start at 5:30 on Sunday, have a few snacks to go with the wines and you can still get home for Sunday dinner.
 
1998 Pierre Morey, Bourgogne Aligote  $20
From vines planted in Meursault in 1957, this wine forgotten for many years  has bloomed into a wonderful mature bottle. On the nose there are classic notes of mature white Burgundy such has hay, pear and honey, also notes of beeswax, and quince.  The acidity is still refreshing but by now very well integrated, and it brings youth and vibrancy to a surprisingly complex texture, which is light to medium-bodied, with the perfect amount of mature, round, slightly sweet, and honeyed flavors of age. Organic.
 
2011 Merlin, Pouilly Fuissé Clos des Quarts  $45
Chardonnay
A old vine, single vineyard Burgundy with hints of saline, white truffle, and peach and honey fruit with a long mineraled finish. Was $51, Now $45
 
2011 Vincent Girardin, Pommard Les Vignots  $40
Pinot Noir
A single vineyard Pommard from 65 year old vines.  “Les Vignots” has intense aromas of blackcurrant, musk and game. The mouthfeel is smooth and silky with black cherry and citrus notes that flow into a ling finish.  A solid Burgundy at a great price.  Was $55 Now $40
 
2004 Lignier, Morey Saint Denis 1er — Les Chaffots  $58
Pinot Noir
Premier Cru Burgundy with the right amount of age on it from a small estate.  Nice full dark supple fruit and great aromas.  What more can you ask?
 
2012 Bouchard, Gevery Chambertin  $60
Pinot Noir
Bouchard vinifies 10.4 hectares of village vines in Gevrey, and does the vineyard work for just over half of this total; fermented with 30% whole clusters.  The wine exudes an intense, perfumed bouquet with fruit aromas and an animal touch. Nice structure and lovely finesse. This wine has great aging potential.

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 are pouring two red wines that may come in handy later in the week or later in the year. Both are new arrivals for the holidays. Come have a taste.

2014 Casa Vinironia Appassimento Edizione Oro    ($12)
Merlot, Primitivo and Negroamaro
This wine is made using the apassimento method (use of dried grapes). A modern style with silky, soft tannins. The wine bursts with blackberry, espresso and dark caramel aromas contrasted by a spicy, white pepper note.

2014 Locus Modo    ($15)
59% Merlot, 25% Malbec, 15% Syrah
A everyday drinker from our local winemakers. The Modo has good dark fruit and smooth tannins that is easy to drink but still with something to chew on.

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.

After the crush and confusion of BLACK FRIDAY IN MADRONA we all need a drink and a little relaxation. Fortunately some is at hand.

Saturday we have some favorite French wines lined up and ready from a fresh Alsacian Pinot Blanc to a rich and full Saint Julian Bordeaux.  Come by at 2pm and have a taste.

Sunday we have a couple of party pleasers for the Holidays lined up to open.

2014 Casa Vinironia Appassimento Edizione Oro  $12
Merlot, Primitivo and Negroamaro
This wine is made using the apassimento method (use of dried grapes). A modern style with silky, soft tannins. The wine bursts with blackberry, espresso and dark caramel aromas contrasted by a spicy, white pepper note.

2014 Locus Modo $15
59% Merlot, 25% Malbec, 15% Syrah
A everyday drinker from our local winemakers.  The Modo has good dark fruit and smooth tannins that is easy to drink but still with something to chew on.

Next Sunday, December 6th at 5:30pm
The Beauty of Burgundy
A Reservation Only Special Tasting
$20 (plus tax)
We’ll be pulling the corks on some fine examples of Burgundy and enjoying the pleasures of the place.  Space for this tasting is limited so contact us (just reply to this email) to reserve a space.  We start at 5:30 on Sunday, have a few snacks to go with the wines and you can still get home for Sunday dinner.  More details coming soon.

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.

After the crush and confusion of BLACK FRIDAY IN MADRONA we all need a drink and a little relaxation. Fortunately we have selection Festive French wines on hand to make our White and Red Saturday smooth and cheery while we digest the remains of Thanksgiving and get warmed up for the parties and dinners that lie ahead. The wines are all rich and delicious as the season itself.

2012 Domaine Moltés Pinot Blanc $11
Domaine Moltès has 13 hectares of vines extend into the Alsace hills bordering the town of Pfaffenheim. They have a very small production making only 600 cases of the Pinot Blanc capture the essence of Alsace: richness of the fruit (apple and grapefruit), almost an oily texture on the mid-palate with that nice dry acidity on the finish.

2014 Domaine Haut de Mourier, Viognier $13
From the Languedoc Domaine Haut de Mourier makes this full viognier with floral notes mixed with apricots, peaches & violets aromas and a mineral foundation.. It is round and soft, fresh and well-balanced.

2010 Domaine Perraud, Le Grand Sorbier, Bourgogne Rouge $20
Pinot Noir
Domaine Perraud has 25 hectares of Bourgogne, Mâcon and Saint-Véran vineyards that are sustainably farmed, moving to organic. Le Grand Sorbieris from 15 year old vines situated in the village of La Roche-Vineuse on clay-limestone and clay-silt soils. The wine has mineral and cherry aromas that carry over into the dry lingering palate.

2012 Domaine de Petit Romain, Vieilles Vignes Rouge $13
Equal parts Syrah and Grenache.
From Costières de Nîmes in the south of France the Petit Romain reveals fruity and fresh aromas of red fruit and spice. On the palate the wine is fat, round and warm, carpeted with jammy fruit and supported by drying tannins that make you want more.

2010 Château du Glana, La Croix Dillanges, Saint Julien $35
67 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc
A rich and full left bank Brodeaux from a newer Sustainably farmed estate with 21-year-old vines on gravel soil. The grapes are hand -harvested and the wine spends with 12 months in French oak barrique (45% new). Lots of dark berry, plum cassis, cinnamon and Bordeaux dust.

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.