Sometimes it is just too hard to wait.  Usually when a new wine arrives we like to give it a few weeks to settle down and then try it and then see if we want to put it in our Saturday tastings.  But we are so excited about a new arrival of a Corsican producer that we couldn’t wait.  These wines are just off the boat and we are braving bottle shock to pour them right away.  The Corsican wines come from Domaine de Granajolo a 20 hectares estate of organically farmed vines tended by Gwenaele Boucher.  Their vineyards are found on the stark granite hillsides lying around Sainte Lucie de Porto-Vecchio in the southeastern corner of the island These wine-lands are mostly planted with local varieties Niellucciu (related to Sangiovese), Sciaccarellu and Vermentinu (aka Vermentino or Rolle). Like many simple grape growers in their time, Gwenaele’s parents were members of a co-op, followed by an interim stint where someone else made the wines; and it wasn’t until after she took over the estate in 2003 that they built their own cellar.  We are excited to try the new vintage (the notes are from the last vintage).  We’ll also be showing two new wines from the Loire.  Come and join us.

2014 Domaine de Granajolo, Corse Porto-Vecchio Blanc $15
Vermentino
The Corsican white shows juicy banana-scented fruit, a concentrated & crisp palate with aromatic fruit and a rounded texture.

2014 Domaine Curot, Sancerre Blanc  $21
Sauvignon Blanc
This 23 acre family estate started in 1860.  150 years later they are still making classic Sancerre and a great price.  The Curot is crisp and complex with gooseberry fruit and a good mineral backbone surrounded by crisp dry notes of salt and a limey finish.

2014 Domaine de Granajolo, Corse Porto-Vecchio Rosé$14
Sciaccarellu
This indiginious rosé has lovely juicy fruit and mouth-feel with elegant touches.  It is a tasty quaffing rosé yet serious enough to go with a variety of foods.

2014 Domaine de la Rablais, Val du Loire Pinot Noir $13
Domaine de la Rablais is located in Touraine, not far away from the Sancerre region of France.  This VDP Pinot comes in at half the price of Sancerre rouge, so we are excited to try it.

2013 Domaine de Granajolo, Corse Porto-Vecchio Rouge $16
Niellucciu
Granajolo’s red shops great contrasts of delicious licorice & savory notes, very ripe with ‘tar’ like tones too with  wild herb edges It is an enticing sweet/savory combo to finish.

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.

Georgia On My Mind –but not that one down south. These two whites are from the country of Georgia where they have been making wine since 7,000 BC. Come see history in action.

Marani Mtsvane    ($10)
From Kakheti in Georgia, this dry white is made from Mtsvane, a grape that has very floral notes and flavors of tropical fruits, green apple, lingering to the crisp and zesty finish.
12.5% alcohol by volume

Marani Rkatsiteli    ($10)
From Georgia, this old grape dates back to at least 3000 BC. The wine is dry with light floral notes and flavors of white peach, honeysuckle.
12% 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.

We get a break from the heat this weekend in Madrona, and we are tasting some cool wines to go with the cool weather.

Saturday we have a great line up of French wines from Bordeaux, Champagne, and Provence.  They are all solid values and a few have been pre-cellared for us.  It’s a chance to taste some wines with some age on them without putting them down yourself.  You don’t want to miss the 2007 La Fleur Milon from Pauillac, a quality Bordeaux at a great price.  We’ll be popping the cork on the Champagne at 2pm.

Sunday we’ll be pouring two white wines for Marani a winery in the Republic of Georgia where wine making has gone on since 7000 BC. 

Marani, Rkatsiteli $10
From Georgia, this old grape dates back to at least 3000 BC.  The wine is dry with light floral notes and flavors of white peach, honeysuckle.

Marani, Mtsvane $10
From Kakheti in Georgia, this dry white is made from Mtsvane, a grape that has very floral notes and flavors of tropical fruits, green apple,  lingering to the crisp and zesty finish.

It doesn’t get any cooler than that.

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.

Value is hard to pin down.  It isn’t the cheapest price, but more of what you get for your money.  Across the board, France offers great value to wine drinkers.  Our shelves are packed with it.  This Saturday we’ve assembled some especially great values for tasting.  Some are on “Special” and some special for what they are.  It’s quality all around.  The bubbles start at two.
 
Alain Bailly, Grande Reserve Brut  $30
60% Pinot Miunier, 25% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
Alain Bailly is a small producer from the Montaigne de Reims district of Champagne.  Sixth generation growers, Bailly’s estate consists of 12 hectares composed of eighty vineyard plots. The Grande Reserve has pleasant notes of limey zest, toasty vanilla and fresh baguette, along with subtle tropical fruit and a touch of apricot on the palate, and a fine mousse.  It is a solid Grower Champagne with an entry level price.
 
2013 Chateau De Brigue, Provence Rosé  $10
40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
What difference does a year makes?  In rosé it is often only in price.  The De Brique is a great deal on a Provence Rosé with a classic lemon, pear, grapefruit and mineral combination of aromas and flavors.  Was $13 now $10
 
2006 La Garde, Pessac Léognan  $14
Sauvignon Blanc & Sauvignon Gris
From a small gravely vineyard, planted 50% to Sauvignon Blanc and 50% to Sauvignon Gris Show how well Bordeaux blanc can age.  It still has its fruity notes of grapefruit, and tangerine but has developed some nutty flavors as well and a very supple mouthfeel.  It is truly fun to have an older white Bordeaux this old to pour.  We are pleased with its development.  The wine is on glass pour at Purple and other restaurants but why bother when you can try it here on Saturday.  Was $27 now $14
 
2006 Château Gigault,  Côtes de Blaye,Cuvee Viva  $12
85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
A great value Bordeaux, the Cuvee Viva is lush, seductive, ripe, dark and full-bodied – scented with black olive and dried herbs, notes of coffee and cacao; silky soft with an iron and mineral finish. We’ve been selling the 2007 for a while, but his Saturday we get to turn the clock back another year.  Was $25 now $12
 
2007 La Fleur Milon, Pauillac  $28
65% Cabernet, 25 % Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot & Cabernet Franc
La Fleur Milon is one of the Rothschild properties.  It is a Fifth Growth Estate and the 2007 is drinking well right now with red fruit aromas along with some more spicy notes. Well-structured on the palate, it builds on nicely balanced tannins, revealing licorice, coffee and blackcurrant flavors. 

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 same grape can express itself in very different fashions. This Sunday we’re going to be pouring two wines made primarily from Pinot Noir. One a Burgundian rosé sparkling wine and the other Willamette Valley red. Come see if can find the similarities.

Veuve Ambal Cuvée Rosé Brut $12
Pinot Noir, Gamay
This sparkling rosé comes from grapes inside and outside of Burgundy. The inside gives it a bit of class, and the outside gets us a better price. It is a good fun everyday bottle of bubbles. 11.5% alcohol by volume

2011 Freja, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $17
A Oregon Pinot form a lighter vintage, The Freja has blueberry and wet stone aromas on the nose with just a hint of oak. It displays wild strawberry and pomegranate on the palate with a slightly tannic 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.

It is another GORGEOUS weekend in Madrona and we are going to kick back and enjoy it.  For us kicking back always includes sipping some interesting wines and this weekend we have a lineup of goodies.

Saturday we’ll be tasting some Summery wines from Italy, all fresh and lively and perfectly suited to our nice weather. We have a Falanghina, a Dry Moscato, a Verdicchio for the whites and an Aleatico and a very rare Susumaniello for reds starting at 2pm.

Sunday we are pairing two Pinots, one a Burgundian Rosé and the other Willamette Valley red.  Come compare and contrast.

Veuve Ambal Cuvée Rosé Brut $12
Pinot Noir, Gamay
This sparkling rosé comes from grapes inside and outside of Burgundy.   The inside gives it a bit of class, and the outside gets us a better price.  It is a good fun everyday bottle of bubbles.

2011 Freja, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir  $17
A Oregon Pinot form a lighter vintage, The Freja has blueberry and wet stone aromas on the nose with just a hint of oak.  It displays wild strawberry and pomegranate on the palate with a slightly tannic finish.

That is all day or at least until the bubbles go flat.  Stroll on in and join us.

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.

A good wine is greater than the sum of its parts.  The enjoyment in drinking it adds up to more than its notes and flavors.  Let’s call them Summary Wines.  This Saturday we’re pouring five wines from Italy that exceed their addition.  They are all fresh and lively and jump from the glass.  They also just happen to be perfectly suited to our nice weather.  So they are both Summary and Summery.  Come join us and do the math.
 
2014 Vini Iovine, Falanghina Pompeliano  $12
The Iovine family owns vineyards in the Penisola Sorrentina, Irpinia and Benevento areas of Campania . Their snappy and bright Falanghina spends some time in barrel giving it an added texture.  The wine has aromas of citrus, tangerine skin, green melon and peach backed by just a shy touch of vanilla and bitter almond.
 
2013 Pupillo, Cyane, Dry Moscato $16
This ancient Sicilian estate dates back to the 12th century and has been in the Pupillo family for four generations.  The “Cyane” is their bone dry version of a grape often used for sweet wines.  The Sicilian sun ripens these grapes quickly and they are picked as early as the first week of August in order to maintain their acidity.  The wine is full of lemon curd, lime zest, minerals, crab apples, white flowers and orange pith greet the nose and the palate.
 
2013 Bisci, Verdicchio di Matelica  $16
From the Marche, Bisci practices organic agriculture, but is not certified organic. The vineyards of Verdicchio di Matelica were totally replanted starting from the seventies and are located at an altitude of 300-350 mts on sea level with southern exposure. The alternation of sunny days and of fresh and dry nights gives the grapes character and an extremely fine fragrance with aromas of white flowers, and green apple.  The flavor is intense, quite warm, and well balanced, with a slightly bitter ending.  “Verdicchio is one of the joys of Italian oenology that rarely gets the respect it deserves, and few producers do it better than Bisci.” – The Wine Advocate

2013 Tenuta Rubino, Oltremè  $14 
Susumaniello
Found only in  Salento in Puglia Sisumaniello is an ancient grape variety that is regaining its popularity.  This unique wine has fragrantly fresh notes of red fruit: cherries, pomegranate, raspberries and mature plums. Sapid, mineral and round, with pleasantly soft tannins.  A balanced and velvety wine, with an elegant and persistent texture; its harmony, persistence and elegance are truly enchanting. Its varietal notes stand out clearly.
 
2012 Villa Ligi, Grifogletto $22
Aleatico
From the Marche, Grifogletto is made from Aleatico, a distinct red grape that was introduced to the area in 1234.   The grapes come from a single vineyard of 50 years old vines. The wine has an expressive nose of rose blossoms, wild strawberries and raspberries; on the palate it leaves a dry and fresh sensation with mild tannins, round and distinct character. “Grifoglietto” is traditionally served with prosciutto and cold meat or dishes with white meat, truffles or mushrooms and with fish soups. It is a perfect match with the local “Lumache in Porchetta”, a spicy marine snail stew.

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 Sunday we have two Intriguing Italians from Palazzo Malgara open to sample. These are perfect for the weather we are having – stop in and sip your way through summer…

2014 Palazzo Malgara Grillo    ($11)
A Sicilian white that has more weight than the average Grillo and outperforms for the price.
13% alcohol by volume

2013 Palazzo Malgara Nergroamaro    ($12)
A big rustic red from Puglia with lots of full earthy 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.

We never seem to have enough time in Summer, at least not enough time to show off the great rosés that come pouring into the shop.  So we’ve set this Saturday aside to pour five of our favorites.  We’ll be pouring two from Italy and three from France.  Each is distinctly unique and has a varied character, so if you think that all rosés taste the same it is time to discover the difference.  Also with Bastille Day quickly approaching on July 14th, you just might want to stock up.
 
2013 Cavicchioli,  Vigna del Cristo, Lambrusco di Sorbara.  $16
This 100% Lambrusco di Sorbara is sourced born from a 12.5 acre vineyard in the “Cristo”.  Sorbara is a naturally low yielding grape variety that makes a much lighter wine than it more common darker siblings.  The wine has crushed violet and ripe raspberry aromas, and a creamy, frothy palate with bright sour cherry, wild strawberry, nectarine, and cake spice flavors.
 
2014 Tenuta Sant Antonio, Scaia Rosato  $12
Rondinella
Rondinella is from Veneto and is one of the grapes used in Amarone, the wine that Tenuta Sant Antonio is best known for.  But they have also come up with this beautiful rosé is packed with citrus notes, orange peel and honeysuckle.  It is lively and delicious.
 
2014 Commanderie de la Bargemone, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence  $15
30% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Provence is capital of rosé and Bargemone is one of its most consistent purveyors.  This classic rosé has aromas of wild strawberries and red currants, with a light, floral character and a crisp, bone-dry palate with a complex long finish.
 
2014 Domaine De la Fouquette, Rosée d’Aurore   $18
65% Greanche, 30% Cinsault, 5% Rolle
Domaine De la Fouquette is a family run farm in the Massif des Maures hills of Provence.  They produce this full bodied, organic rosé with fruity and intense aromas followed by flavors of mandarin orange, and with red and black berries that develop in the mouth.
 
2014 Domaine André Neveu, Sancerre Rosé  $25
Pinot Noir
André Neveu is one of our favorite Sancere blanc producers.  Valérie (André Neveu’s daughter), and her husband Thomas, now run the domaine that extends to about 13 hectares of vines of AOC Sancerre red, white and rosé. They harvest, and vinify everything themselves.  Their elegant Pinot Noir rosé fills the mouth with layered strawberry and floral notes & a long 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.

It’s been hot for WEEKS – time to sit on the back deck and relax the weekend away, for tomorrow it will be Monday and back to the salt mines. These two “porch pounders” are perfect for a sunny afternoon in the shade. Come taste.

Las Lilas Vinho Verde    ($9)
Louriero and Treixadura
More than just a pretty label, the Las Lilas has good intensity, white fruits with floral notes. Elegant and fresh. 10% alcohol by volume

2012 Casa Santos Lima Confidencial Tinto    ($9)
A steal of a little Portuguese red that delivers a lot for a little. Nice delicate scents of berries, with underlying tobacco, well integrated acidity with a palate of berries, with a soft 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.