Sometimes when you look at the spaces between things you find the hidden gems. That’s what we’re doing this Saturday with some exceptional wines from the Rhône that lie north of Chatêau Neuf du Pape and south of Cornas. This in between region produces some distinct and intriguing wines that are worth discovering. William Woodruff of Chloe Imports will be on hand to tell us all about them.
 
2011 Domaine de Couron, Viognier $12
In Saint Marcel d’Ardeche, 45 miles northwest of Avignon, the Dorthe family farms their domain that was are among the first to be officially classified in appellation Cotes of Rhône in 1937. Their Viognier comes from 27 year old organically vines and has honeyed apricot and pear aromas that are sweetly floral with subtle hints of cinnamon, good structure and balanced acidity.
 
2010 Domaine de Rozet,Côtes du Tricastin $9
Grenache (60%), Syrah (35%), Cinsault( 5%)
Originally tenant farmers, the Bernard family inherited this property in Donzere after the French Revolution. Today Dominique Bernard crafts this beautiful herb scented wine. “Bright violet and anise aromas are followed by a beam of sweet black cherry fruit, with a clean, fresh finish.”–WS
 
2011 Domaine de Couron, Marselan $10
Marselan is a hybrid of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. Couron’s grows on a terraced vineyards of large granite stones covering limestone. They only make 700 cases each year. “Dark and toasty, but open knit, featuring soft textured plum and blackberry fruit backed by a hint of roasted vanilla“WS
 
2009 Domaine de Couron Côtes du Rhône ‘Cuvee Marie Dubois’ $16
100% Syrah planted in 1946.
The flagship wine of Couron is made from an old vine parcel that only produces 225 cases each year. The wine is aged for 2 years before release. A few miles north and you would pay 2 to 3 times the price for this wine.” Quite toasty, with bacon and coffee notes holding sway over a core of medium-weight crushed black cherry and plum fruit. A toasty edge assumes control of the finish”
 
2009 Domaine du Grangeon, Chatus $24
Christophe Reynourd started this small domaine on the steep terraces of his grandparents farm where he grows Chatus (pronounced cha~two) an ancient 16th Century grape variety cultivated only by three estates in the Ardèche. The grapes are cultivated by hand with no herbicides or chemicals used. The wine ages for 2 year, unfined and unfiltered, before bottling. It has a bouquet of violets, purple flowers, and tanned leather. It is both supple and tannic with spices and warn leather and dark coffee.

This Saturday we’ll be stomping around the Spanish wine regions. Some are old and respected while the reputation of others is on the rise. All are a blend of tradition and modernity; old vines and new equipment. It’s the best of both worlds.

2011 Bodegas del Medievo Blanco (Rioja)$11
100% Viura
Medievo is located in Aldeanueva de Ebro at 500 meters high, in one of the most prestigious of Rioja where the clay-calcareous poor soils are perfect to grow high quality vines. The Blanco is very fresh with aromas of tropical fruits, pear, with a crisp clean finish.
 
2011 Bodegas Naia, Las Brisas (Rueda) $11
50% Verdejo, 30% Viura, 20% Sauvignon Blanc
Bodegas Naia is located in La Seca, a region that is considered grand cru in Rueda, focuses on making great white wines from indigenous old vines Verdejo. Their vineyard has untrained vines (some pre-philloxeric) and includes some strains that are more than a century old. “Bright citrus and mineral aromas, plus a hint of quince. Smooth and silky on the palate, offering lively orchard fruit and tangerine flavors and a hint of ginger. Finishes with good tangy bite and a suggestion of pear nectar.” –International Wine Cellars:
 
2011 Bodegas Terra Sigilata, Filón (Calatayud) $10
Garnacha from 30- to 40-year-old vineyards
The Calatayud region in Northern Spain resembles parts of Utah or Arizona with tall red buttes and dry arroyos in a high plains atmosphere. The arid landscape is punctuated by old vine Garnacha grape vineyards as well as cherry and almond orchards tended by the local farmers. The old Garnacha vines have deep root systems to draw moisture from the arid soil. These old vines produce dark, concentrated fruit that in turn makes rich expressive wines. The Filón is full of aromas of cherry and other fruits smoke and licorice.
 
2009 Pazos del Rey, Sila, (Monterrei) $14
Mencia
Monterrei is located in the south-eastern corner of Galicia, bordering Portugal is warm and dry with very little rainfall. Here Mencia takes on a more robust and darker in comparison to its other traditional homes Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra. The Sila has bright cheerful red berry fruit with integrated aromas of sandalwood, cracked pepper and spice and a longing velvety texture finish from time aged in French oak.
 
2010 Bodegas Tabula, Damana 5 (Ribera del Duero) $18
Tempranillo (Tinto Fino) 20 years old vines.
Bodegas Tabula farms 22 hectares of limestone rich soil in Olivares de Duero on the far western side of the Ribera del Duero DO with prestigious neighbors such as Pesquera & Vega Sicilia. The Damana 5 is dark and intense with a nose of blackberries, black cherries, creamy notes of fine oak, some spices and underbrush aromas. On the palate there is a wealth of fresh, lively berry fruit flavors leading to a sumptuous yet elegant finish.

Sicily’s (the large island off the toe of Italy’s boot) most prominent landmark is Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe. The soils needless to say are volcanic. This distinct landscape makes for very distinct wines, from the local varietals Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Frappato and Inzolia. Thursday we’ll taste the wines from these precarious slopes. Stop by after work and try them.
 
2009 Maurigi Bacca, Bianca $14
60% Inzolia, 20% Grecanico, 20% Chardonnay
The Maurigi Estate is located 2000 feet above sea level. The land on the estate is varied, with steep slopes, alluvial soils in some parts, bare rock in others. Microclimates abound, changing from segment to segment. The indigenous Inzolia adds flinty and nutty notes with citrus fruit. Grecanico is known for its tang and in fact has a reputation for maintaining acidity despite Sicily’s searing hot days. These grapes are produced on some of Maurigi’s highest vineyards whose cool nights lend acidity-preserving qualities of their own. Scented, the wine presents notes of white fruit, aniseed and citrus fruits. On the palate it appears juicy with an intense mineral note.
 
2009 Maurigi Bacca Rosso $14
60% Nero d’Avola, 20% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Maurigi’s Rosso has intense flower and fruit scents typical of red grapes with fine aromatic herb notes. Fine and elegant, it has a fresh and dynamic finish.
 
2011 Tenuta delle Terre, Terre Nere Etna Rosso $16
Norello Mascellese
Marc DeGrazia’s organically farmed estate on the slopes of Mount Etna has the highest-altitude red-grape vineyards in Europe. The soil at Terre Nere is mostly volcanic ash speckled by black pumice and peppered with abundant volcanic rock; to call it ‘rocky’ is putting it mildly. The weather variations in the area are profound and characterized by exposure, altitude, and open to the cooling and drying effects of the wind. The extraordinary elevation yields dramatic temperature variations between night and day. The wine has “Beautiful aromas of flowers and dried fruits with plums and strawberries. Full body, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Balanced and delicious.” 93pts. –James Suckling
 
2009 Girolamo Russo, San Lorenzo $40
98% Norello Mascellese, 2% Nerello Cappuccio
Girolamo Russo is a very small producer (only 1000 cases total production) with the vineyards at 2300 feet growing Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. The wine and winery are heavily lauded. Russo was named wine maker of the year by Gambero Rosso and his single vineyard San Lorenzo received 3 bicchieri. Wine Enthusiast gave the wine 93pts: “Delicate and sophisticated, this has notes of wild berry, rosemary, crushed stone, tobacco and spice that are delivered with slow, beautiful intensity. The wine shows freshness, structure and staying power.”

Coming Soon!  Saturday we’ll be tasting the new releases from ANIMALE, with wine maker Matt Gubitosa.  Block out your calendar.

This weekend we are show casing a collection of wines from the other end of the Americas. These old world varietals have adapted to their new world terrain and make great wines of power and complexity. Come taste the terroir of Argentina, Chile, and Urugauy.

2011 Don Martino Old Vine Semillon (Argentina)$15
This Old Vine Semillon comes from a heritage vineyard planted in 1938 in Perdriel, a warmer sub-district better known for its Malbec. It has a lively nose with notes of lemon, pear, and golden fig and is bright on the palate, with plenty of citrus and some mineral flavors.
 
2010 Viña Tabalí Reserva Syrah $14 (Chile)
Vina Tabalí is located six hours North of Santiago in the cool climate Limara Valley. The grapes are all estate grown. “Syrah does surprisingly well in Chile’s newly developed cooler regions with characteristics of France’s northern Rhone Valley. The 2010 Syrah Reserva offers up aromas of game, bacon, lavender, and blueberry. Dense, layered, ripe, and flavorful, this excellent value could easily be mistaken for a quality Crozes-Hermitage“- Wine Advocate
 
2009 Familia Durigutti Cabernet Sauvignon $17 (Argentina)
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot
Durigutti is a brother team with a broad history of working with the likes of Antinori, Tutini, and Catena among others. This boutique project is their pride and joy. Their vineyards, which date from 1943, have been organically farmed for many years and will soon be certified. Only native yeasts are used and filtration is kept to a minimum. The Cabernet is spicy and smoky, with aromas of red fruits such as blackberry and raspberry. In the mouth it is robust with sweet, balanced tannins and a velvety finish.
 
2011 Bodegas Bouza Unoaked Tannat $17 (Uruguay)
Bouza is a small family run estate winery in Canelones. This Tannat comes from a dry farmed parcel in Las Violetas. 2011 was an unusually warm growing season and due to this the winery decided to produce an unoaked bottling for the first time. The wine has a fruit forward nose of dried figs, plum, and blackberry. In the mouth it shows nice body, with more briary fruit notes and a hint of black tea. It finishes with nice acidity and rustic tannins.
 
2008 Familia Durigutti Malbec Reserva (Argentina) $25
Durigutti Malbec Reserva is made using native yeasts, then aged for 16 months in French oak (30% new) and is unfined and unfiltered. In the wine aromas and flavors of plum, fig, and ripe strawberry dominate. There is tremendous concentration on the palate, with ample tannin and acidity to match and finishes long, with loads of white pepper. This “big” wine matches sensationally with charcoal grilled beef.
 
2010 Viña Tabalí Late Harvest Muscat $9 -375ml (Chile)
Tabalí’s desert Muscat is amazingly rich, complex, deep and expressive. It shows, plenty of dried apricots, honey, papaya and great botrytis character. On the palate is unctuous, smooth and rich, with nice acidity giving the wine a great balance and refreshing edge and a very long, intense and velvety finish.

This Saturday we’ll be pouring wines from some very exotic places. We have wine from Macedonia, Lebanon, Paarl, and the Island of Madeira. They are not your typical wines. Their flavors match their diverse locations. Come Explore!
 
2011 Tikves, Rkaticeli,  Macedonia $10
The Tikves winery is one of the largest and oldest in Macedonia, and uses sustainable practices in its winemaking. Rkaciteli-pronounced “rkah-tzeetely”, and meaning “red stem”-originated in Georgia (where it is spelled “Rkatsiteli”) and is one of the oldest known grape varieties. The origins of Rkaciteli date back to at least 3,000 BC, as determined by archaeological digs and carbon dated seeds. From the Barovo Vineyards at an altitude of 1800 feet on the Kozuv Mountains, the wine has a golden-yellow color giving away scents of fresh mango, peach, grapefruit and pineapple.
 
2011 Chateau Musar, Jeune Blanc, Lebanon $19
Viognier, Chardonnay and Vermentino
Chateau Musar started in 1930. Their vineyards are located in the Bekaa Valley and in Mount Barouk, around Kefraya and Aana, are certified Organic. The Bekaa Valley sits 3,000 feet above Sea level and receives an average of 300 days of sunshine annually, 39-78 inches of rain per year. The soil is predominately gravelly with a limestone base. Musar Jeune has apricot and green fig notes. Its lemony acidity is balanced by its full fruit and dry minerality.
 
2009 Tormentoso, Mourvedre, Paarl, South Africa $13
90% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah
Tormentoso’s Mourvedre comes from a dry farmed vineyard in the Paarl region of South Africa. They named the winery for drama, torment, and struggle. “All of these seem apt when you consider where our grapes are grown.” A portion of Syrah from the same region is blended to add complexity to the wine. The nose of berry fruit is complemented by fynbos (heather/bracken) and soft spice aromas, while the palate layers flavors of cloves, leathery spice and red fruit. The elegant finish is dry and savory.
 
2010 Chateau Musar, Jeune Rouge, Lebanon $19
50% Cinsault, 30% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
From the younger vines in their organic vineyrads, The June Rouge has aromas of cherries, cooked plums, and black currants with a hint of violets coming from the Syrah. The palate is velvety and long with rich fruit and Christmas spices.

Broadbent 5 year old Madeira $22
Negra Mole, Complexa, Tinta da Madeira and Triunfo
Madeira wine stretches back to when the island, way off the coast of Portugal, was a frequent port of call for ships loading up on wine-fortified to prevent spoilage-for their trans-Atlantic journey. The blazing heat of the sea voyage transformed the flavor of the wines, a metamorphosis now reproduced by a process called estufagem during which the wines are heated to as high as 60°C (140°F) and oxidated. The 5 year old has “sweet, nutty aromas, this is on the rich side of the Madeira taste spectrum. It has attractive fruitiness and aged citrus acidity that go together, leaving a wine that is both sweet but also fresh.” –Wine Enthusiast

Today at Madrona Wine Merchants we are tasting the ’05 Basciano il Corto.

90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

This bold Tuscan takes a price drop but is still tasting great. Was $22, now just $15.

Pungent dried red berries complicated by rose and an intense cream soda quality on the nose. The cream soda follows through on the palate, joined by ripe red cherry and redcurrant. Finishes persistent and ripely tannic –IWC.

The Rhône river is lined with vineyards that run up its banks into the mountains. In the cooler vineyards in the North Syrah is king. Farther to the South Grenache takes over along with an array of supporting grapes that add nuance and complexity to the wines. Join us on Saturday as we poke around the Villages of the Rhône and tour their distinct variations. They’re some of the most versatile food wines, and just delicious.

2011 Arnoux et Fils, Côtes du Rhône Blanc “Vieux Clocher” $11
Grenache Blanc, Clairette
Arnoux makes wine from its own vineyards in Vacqueyras as well as from purchased grapes. Their CDR Blanc is a dry and full white, with good body, nice floral notes and melony fruit.

2010 Domaine Montmartel & Fils, Côtes du Rhône Rouge $12
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
Domaine Montmartel is a fifth-generation family estate with 225-acres of vines located throughout Visan, Valreas, Tulette, and St. Maurice. They are in the process of converting their vineyards to organic. Their entry Rouge is a mid-body wine with lots of supple fruit and spice and a great match to a wide variety of food.
 
2007 Domaine des Banquette, Rasteau $18
50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre and 10% Carignan
The Andre family has owned vineyards in Rasteau since 1910, but has just recently rebuilt the winery on a steep slope so that all racking is done by gravity. Their Rasteau has lots of berry pie aromas and a good earthiness along with the characteristic spice and licorice notes.
 
2010 Domaine Notre Dame des Pallières , Les Mourres, Gigondas $19
80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah
Named for the pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages for those wishing to be protected from the plague, Notre Dame des Pallières is a family estate with property in both Gigondas and Sablet. The old vines go deep in the limestone gravel soil. The Gigondas is complex, with spicy notes of clove, licorice, tobacco mixed with full supple fruit and fine tannins on the finish.
 
2010 Duvernay, Crozes Hermitage $20
100 % Syrah
Duevernay makes an assortment of wine from throughout the Rhone. Their Crozes Hermitage from the northern Rhône is grown on granite slopes with terraces bearing the rounded stones of the Rhône. It is unoaked and has a classic bouquet of red and black fruits, and spices. The palate is fruity and well balanced, long on the palate, tannic but smooth.

Marche is a hilly wine growing region on the Adriatic Coast of central Italy, a rural area that has retained its own wine making traditions and local grape varietals. The combination of the ocean air and the soil of the region gives the grapes a unique character all their own. Saturday we’ll be exploring the region, trying some of the local delectables from such grapes as Verdicchio, Bianchello, Aleatico and Lacrima di Moro, as well as a unique and delicious local cherry wine.  
 
2009 Colonnara, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico $11
100% Verdicchio
Colonnara practices sustainable agriculture respecting the natural habitat. Their Verdicchio has hints of green apple, grapefruit, kiwi and elegantly floral notes of acacia and mimosa. It is full-bodied with good balance and a lingering aftertaste of fruit and fresh almond.
 
2010 Terracruda, Boccaino Bianchello $14
Terracruda, literally “raw earth” is located in the small village of Fratte Rosa. Their vineyards are in the process of being certified organic. The Bianchello has notes of fresh fruit and spring elderflowers described as “the typical flavor of the Pesaro area.”
 
2010 Terracruda Vettina Pergola Rosso $14
Vernaccia di Pergola (Aleatico)
The Pergola Rosso is predominantly made from a native clone of Aleatico, which is an aboriginal biotype of Pergola. The grape provides this wine with an aromatic complexity both to its taste and to its complexity. “Vettina communicates, through a sensation of youth and aroma, the maximum expression of the territory. Ideal for moment of relax and carefreeness.”
 
2009 Marotti Campi, Orgiolo, Lacrima di Moro $24
Morro d’Alba is a village with only 150 acres of the grape. Here the local grape Lacrima thrives. It has strong aromas of rose and violets along with notes of raspberry, pink pepper and oriental spices. It is nicely fruity and spicy on the palate, with smooth tannins, long velvety finish. The Orgiolo is the wineries Reserva being aged for 12 months in small second or third use French oak barrels.
 
2009 Terracruda, Visciola $21 500ml
Aleatico, Sangiovese and wild cherries
This distinct and tasty dessert wine is made from the local red wine is blended with wild cherries the following July. It’s very aromatic, full of mixed fruits and just plain delicious.

From bone dry to syrupy sweet, Sherry is fortified wine made from the grapes Palomino Fino & Pedro Ximenez in southern Spain. Sherries are aged using a unique system called a solera. A solera consists of a series of wines of different ages. At bottling only a portion of each barrel of the oldest stock is drawn off, blended with other solera stock. The barrels are then topped from the barrels of the next oldest, which in turn are filled from the next oldest until they reach the youngest barrels which are filled with new wine. These new blends with time take on the characteristics or the older wine. The number of levels in a solera varies with each producer and style. This Thursday we are sampling some of the Solera Reserva Sherries of Lustau, one of the important sherry houses. We’ll have tapas on hand to accompany the wines. It should be a fun and tasty tasting.

 
Light Manzanilla “Papirusa” $15 — 375ml $9
The Papirusa is bone dry, light and fresh, very tangy, clean and crisp with just a hint of saltiness. Served chilled, Manzanilla is great as an aperitif, or with oysters, Manchego cheese, or other appetizers.
 
Dry Amontillado “Los Arcos” $15 — 375ml $9
The Arcos is dry and soft, with hints of wood and smoky raisins and a distinctive nutty bouquet. It’s delicious on its own or can accompany a wide variety of dishes from light meat soups to seafood, game dishes and meat terrines. Amontillados should be served cool, but not too chilled.
 
Palo Cortado “Peninsula”   $25
The Peninsula combines the finesse and delicacy of an Amontillado bouquet with the richness of an Oloroso. It is dry with rich flavors of light chocolate, coffee, figs and toffee. Served slightly cooled with cheeses and very rich meats such as venison and smoked game.
 
Oloroso “Don Nuño” $25
Aged for 12 years in American oak casks through the traditional method of “solera and criaderas”, the Don Nuño has penetrating smoky aromas, and is reminiscent of dark chocolate and walnuts in the mouth. It has an intense and concentrated finish, lightened by a tangy acidity. The wine goes good with game, Osso Bucco and other meats as well as a digestif.
 
Old East India Solera $25 — 375ml $13
In the past, casks of sherry that were lashed to ships sailing for the Indies as ballast were found to develop an extraordinary smoothness and complexity. Lustau revives this style in the East India Sherry. A blend of soleras averaging 15-20 years of age, this wine has a dark amber, red and caramel hue, and flavors of raisins, candied peel and nuts.