The classic wine regions are often predictable.  In Burgundy you know what’s in the bottle.  Bordeaux is the same.  But Italy has so much diversity in its plantings that it regularly surprises.  This Saturday will be pouring some fresh surprises that should delight any palate.  Stop by and try these uncommon wines.

2010 Colterenzio Lafóa Sauvignon Blanc $25
Colterenzio is located in a sunny position on a rounded ridge between the village of Girlan and the hamlet of Schreckbichl in Alto Adige at an altitude of 430 meters with optimum sun-exposure. The soils are sandy, with gravely mineral deposits.  Their reserve Sauvignon Blanc is only made in the best years.  It is crisp, full and has world class minerality and now a great price. Was $40, Now $25

2013 San Giovanni Il Chiaretto Valtènesi $20
Groppello, Marzemino, Barbera and Sangiovese
This unusual blend of grapes from Lombardy makes a full and lively rosé with lots of tropical floral notes, and raspberry and strawberry fruits.  It proves that world class Rosé doesn’t need to be French.

2011 Tascante Ghiaia Nera Etna Rosso $12
“From the blackened sloped of Mount Etna, the Ghiaia Nera is a pure expression of Nerello Mascalese. The Tasca family purchased vineyard land on Etna and began releasing a series of volcano-based wines about five years ago. The grape’s natural tannins have been softened and the wine shows generous fruit tones, mineral shadings, leather, tobacco and exotic spice.”  Wine Advocate – 91pts — Was $20 now $12

2009 Luigi Pira Barolo Serralunga $40
Nebbiolo
Serralunga d’Alba is a wildly beautiful and dramatic corner of the Barolo appellation. It’s the most rustic and rugged of them all, and its vineyards usually produce the boldest expressions of Nebbiolo. The Pira comes from 50 year old vines from Pira’s vineyards in the three most prestigious crus in the Serralunga “Margheria,” “Marenca,” and “Rionda.” The wine has elegant and complex aromas with notes of leather and hay, earth and spice. The flavor is persistent and supple with a good balance between tannins and acidity.

2010 Jacopo Biondi Santi Braccale $20
80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot
“Jacopo Biondi Santi comes from the famous Brunello family. A big super Tuscan with dark rich fruit and dry chewy tannins along with mineral and herb notes.  Decant before drinking and the wine really opens up.  “The 2010 Braccale is a dense and compelling expression of Sangiovese Grosso (with 20% Merlot) that shows hints of wild Mediterranean brush and herb for added elegance and class. At its core are dark fruit nuances and lingering tones of crushed mineral or dry earth. The wine drinks beautifully right now, thanks to its softly velvety tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018.”—Wine Advocate

Stop by this Sunday for our Spanish Sippers from 11-5. These two guys just arrived in our shop and I’m excited to try them. Come join me.

2012 Marina Alta Bianco    ($10)
Muscat de Alexandria
A floral and fruity Spanish white that calls for a bucket of ice and a warm afternoon.Was $13 now $10
11% alcohol by volume

2012 Isidro Milagro 5 Oros Rioja    ($12)
Garnacha
From 25 to 50 year old vines in Rioja, this Grenache has bold, dark cherry flavors with spicy tannins and hints of chocolate

This Saturday we’re showing new wines from two Northwest vintners.  We’ll be pouring wines from a long time favorite of ours, Gilbert Cellars, as well as a big red from a new discovery, Pamplin Family Winery.  Stop by and get acquainted.
 
2013 Gilbert Cellars The Grower White  $15
70% Chardonnay, 30% Riesling
An unusual blend of Washington’s two premier white grapes, is made even more mysterious by the fact that there is no mention of the grapes on the label.  Instead there is the story of Curt Gilbert, a fruit grower, who started buying vineyards in 2001.  The two varietals complement each other perfectly showing off the best qualities of both grapes.
 
2013 Gilbert Cellars  Mourvèdre
Rosé  $14
This 100% Mourvèdre from the 24K Vineyard on Wahluke Slope was intentionally fermented cold in order to retain its delicate rose petal aromatics and bright fruit character.  Ripe homegrown strawberries and cream over lightly toasted angel food cake make up the core aromas as the wine is gradually revealed through a veil of lees. The palate is fresh, lean, and focused, with a current of acidity.
 
2012 Gilbert Cellars, the Pilgrim  $15
34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc, 16% Malbec, 16% Syrah, 5% Dolcetto, 3% Pinot Noir
The Pilgrim like The Grower is an unusual blend that at first glance looks like a kitchen sink blend of leftovers, but tastes like it is by design.  It is 13 months in neutral 225L French Oak barrels and tastes fresh and fruit driven.
 
2011 Gilbert Cellars Alobroges  $20
47% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 18% Mourvedre,
Gilbert’s Rhone-style blend, named for pre-Roman viniculturalists, comes from their Doc Stewart & 24K vineyards, on Wahluke Slope.  It spent 17 months in 25% new oak barrels (90% French & 10% American) and has aromas of blackberry, plum, and Bing Cherry deepen and subtle aromas of sage, smoke, and baking spice.
 
2010 Pamplin Winery JRG Red  $27
74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Named for the kids, the |R|G Red Wine is dominated by classic Cabernet Sauvignon varietal character. It exhibits a complex montage of cassis, cherry, blue fruits, earth, olive brine and sweet oak spice. On the palate, it is focused and vibrant with a burst of cherry, red raspberry and cassis that echoes through the fine grained, fully-integrated finish. It possesses mouth-coating plushness. The tannins are polished and sugary. This is an elegant wine of subtle nuance that reveals more facets as it evolves in the glass. Decanting will provide worthwhile benefits. Additional cellaring will reward those with patience and it should be in its prime from 2017 to 2025 or just drink it now.

There is lots going on Madrona Wine Merchants this Sunday—from 11-5pm we have our Strange Bedfellows Sunday Sippers.

This Sunday we are exploring a crisp German and dark and lenghty Frenchman. Strange bedfellows indeed – enjoy the Rosé on the deck while manning (or womanning) the barbeque and the Red with the meal. Stop in for a sample…

2013 Von Buhl Spätburgunder Trocken Rosé    ($20)
Pinot Noir
An ultra-crisp pinot rosé with good solid fruit underlying the bright acidity.
12.5% alcohol by volume

2011 Domaine Ollier Taillerfer Les Collines      ($14)
Carignan, Grenache, Syrah
Faugères
A dark and lenghty Languedoc red.

And from 3-5PM we are having an artist reception for Suzanne Brooker.

Suzanne Brooker

Women in Paint

May 4th-June 29th 2014

ARTIST RECEPTION: June 8^th from 3-5PM

This collection of paintings includes portraits from naturalistic realism to interpretations of invented color that express human gesture.

Suzanne teaches drawing and painting at the Gage Academy of Art. She is the author of Portrait Painting Atelier: Old Master Techniques and Contemporary Applications, (Watson-Guptil 2010). Her second book, The Elements of Landscape Oil Painting: Techniques for Rendering Sky, Terrain, Trees and Water will be available in spring 2015.

This Saturday California Chrome will try to win the Triple Crown at Belmont Park, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since 1978.  And it will be no surprise if he crosses the finish line first.  But we have lined up some surprises on Saturday.  We’ll be tasting some fresh and unusual wines that will get you ready for summer.  Stop by and give them a try.
 
Marcato, Lessini Durello 36 Mesi, Brut Metodo Classico   $18
85% Durella, 10% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Nero
Made from the grape Durella and aged in underground caves for at least three years. The Lessini has complex aromas of white wild flowers and white-fleshed fruits with hints of toasted bread. Rich in texture, it has a good acid balance with a great deal of minerality and a long finish. It is a great deal in quality bubbles.
 
2012 Valle del’Acate “Tenuta Ibidini” Insolia Sicilia   $15
100% Insolia
From eastern Sicily the Inzolia is a crisp, unoaked, fruity dry white that highlights the varietal’s natural citrusy profile with surprising mineral verve. It is a refreshing summery wine.
 
2013 Domaine de Pellehaut, Harmonie de Gascogne Rosé   $11
Tannat, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec
A delicious rosé from an unusual set of grapes,  The Harmonie has aromas of gooseberry, raspberry, & flowers.  On the palate it shows remarkable balance between freshness and richness.
 
Cocchi, Americano Bianco Vermouth   $21
Cocchi’s Aperitivo Americano has been made continuously since 1891 using only natural ingredients. On the nose you initially detect notes of orange zest, orange flower and elderflower before more mature aromas of baked apple and pear drops emerge. Your palate will immediately appreciate the bitter/sweet balance as more bitter notes mingle with honey and citrus flavors, mainly orange and lemon zest.
 
Aperitivo Cappelletti   $20
The Italians are fond of infusing wine with bitter herbs to make aperitifs, and Cappelletti is one of the bitterest.  But blended with sparkling wine or soda water it is a refreshing start to just about anything.  Cappelletti may be the oldest of its style still in production. It is made with traditional, all natural ingredients.

Chateau Moncontour
with winemaker Thibault Poisson
Thursday, June 5^th, 5:30 to 7:30

Château Moncontour is one of five estates in the Loire run by the Feray family.  The Chateau overlooks the Loire River, and extends over the hillsides in the heart of the Vouvray, with stunning views over the whole Loire Valley.  This Thursday we will be having a special tasting of a few of their wines.  Thibault Poisson from the estate will be here to talk about their exciting wines.  We’ll stay open a bit late just to make sure you can make it after work.
 
2011 Chateau Moncontour Vouvray Sec $17
Chenin Blanc
Vouvray doesn’t have to be sweet.  The Sec has a fresh nose of white flowers and green apple aromas – clean and soft in the mouth with a nice acidity, and a long delicate finish.
 
2013 Le Grand Bouqueteau Chinon Rosé  $17
Cabernet Franc
From the village of Chinon, Le Grand Bouqueteau rosé is dry and crisp with aromas of ripe fruit, strawberry, pear and roses. 
 
2012 Le Grand Bouqueteau Chinon $17
Cabernet Franc.
The full red brother to the rosé, this classic Chinon ha a powerful nose of coffee and of red fruits with a hint of spice. – The body has soft mineraly tannins with a medium body and a lingering finish.
 
2010 Cox Malbec IGP du Lot  $13
Not from the Loire, but Thibault’s side project, this Malbec from Cahors is a refreshing summer wine.  Cox is the word for ladybug, and this lady has intense aromas of berries, red fruits and violet.  The body has soft juicy tannins, and a stylish, rich attack.

This Sunday we are exploring France with a tasty rosé and a lighter red – perfect to enjoy now that the warm weather and sun are with us. Stop in for a sample…

2013 Château Routas Provence Rosé            ($12)
45% Cinsault, 35% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Mint aromas, bright red fruit, and watermellon rind.
13% alcohol by volume

2011 Chartreuse de Moungéres Le Pèlerin    ($10)
30% Syrah, 70% Grenache
Pays de Caux
A lighter Languedoc Red that as the winemaker says is “very accommodating on the palate.”
Was $12 now $10
13% alcohol by volume

“They will blossom as the vine, their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.” —Hosea 750 BC

Lebanon is one of the world’s oldest wine growing regions.  Most of the vineyards are located in the picturesque Bekaa Valley.  The Bekaa enjoys dry summers and has its own natural irrigation courtesy of the melting snow that runs off the slopes of the surrounding mountain ranges.  Saturday we’ll be tasting the work of two Lebanese wineries:
Château Ksara is Lebanon’s oldest and largest winery, dating back to 1857, when it was founded by a group of Jesuit monks.  All of Ksara’s vineyards are located in the central and western Bekaa Valley, at an average altitude of 1,000 meters.
IXSIR is a newer winery with selectively chosen vineyards throughout Lebanon, spread from Batroun in the North, to Jezzine in the South, and the hillsides of the Bekaa Valley in the East.

2009 Ksara Blanc De L’Observatoire  $13
Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat and Clairette
The Sauvignon gives finesse and elegance, the Muscat subtle flowery aromas, and the Clairette Fruity richness

2012 Ixsir Altitude White   $20
40% Muscat, 30% Viognier, 15% Sauvignon, 15% Sémillon
This blend of four noble southern varieties, presents an elegant swirl of golden glittering robes. Breathing an exquisite bouquet of floral aromas with hints of Muscat and notes of grapefruit, this floral and fruity blend translates into a balanced and sharp palate hinted with spicy undertones. A soft touch of acidity gives the wine a pleasant freshness.

2009 Ksara Le Prieurée   $13
This is a bright and intense ruby-red wine, with an exotic, fruity aroma with notes of licorice and spice. Made from Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a classic yet supple wine, perfect for daily consumption.

2010 Ixsir Altitude Red   $20
35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Syrah, 26% Caladoc, 17% Tempranillo.
With a black cherry color and garnet reflections, this wine unleashes fresh aromas that vary between red and black fruits, with a touch of oak. Its unique blending gives the wine a supple and delicate character where blackcurrant and blackberry merge.

2009 Ixsir Grand Reserve Red   $36
61% Syrah, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon
Rich in minerals and saturated with Mediterranean character, this wine unleashes exuberant aromas of mature fruits and spices. Its concentrated taste enrobed in a fine texture gives it an attractive liveliness, while its rich and mellow yet always-complex palate lasts until the final touch of fruit.