It is good to be in the present and also have an eye to the past.
Today we’ll be pouring a pure Mourvedre from the Languedoc.  A nice easy look at the character of the varietal. This isn’t a “baby” Bandol, just good pure fruit.

2019 Les Jamelles, Mourvedre Cepage Rare  $13
IGP Pays d’Oc
This Languedoc pure varietal has spicy aromas reminiscent of wild Mediterranean herbs, notes of marzipan, honey, lavender, thyme and bay leaf along with a hint of roasted meat. On the palate, it is surprisingly long and full bodied with well-balanced tannins.

And now a bit of the past — C. H. Berres library release offer.

The Berres family is recorded to have resided and worked in the vineyards of Ürzig since the year 1510.  Markus Berres, 21st generation, has took the helm of this prestigious Mittel Mosel estate in 2004.  The estate retains nearly 10 acres of old, ungrafted Riesling vines in the best sites, including Ürzig’s famous Wurzgarten.

Today we offer you a chance to pre-order some very limited Rieslings from the vaults. Please make your requests no later than Wednesday March 15^th.   These wines are a few weeks to a month out for delivery.   All orders subject to availability.  1st come 1st served.

Berres, Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2010- $25
Limited
This is a very traditionally crafted wine out of the Ürziger Würzgarten vineyard. A bouquet of white peach with citrus and exotic passion fruit. On the tongue the Kabinett presents fireworks of luscious fruitiness. The sweetness is well integrated and harmoniously balanced. In the mouth a bounty of exotic fruits paired with spiciness and minerals from the unique soils of Würzgarten. Finishes very fresh and lively. A very authentic Mosel-Riesling!

Berres, Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese 2002- $32
Limited
A very traditional wine from the Ürziger Würzgarten vineyard. It is a full-bodied, rich style Spätlese which is very nicely matured. This Riesling is very juicy, the residual sugar and acidity are well balanced. The wine has a good fruit, and offers a round, wellbalanced acidity. In the nose ripe air-dried fruits such as raisins and apricot, paired with herbal spiciness and green-tea flavors.

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Wines come in, wines go away and somewhere in between we have a little window to enjoy them.  This weekend we will be pouring two that won’t be around for much longer.  But if you swing by you can catch them while they are here.

Saturday

2019 Domaine de Bérane, ‘Les Agapes’ Ventoux  $15
70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
This GSM shows off aromas of undergrowth, cocoa, cinnamon, black currants, dark cherries, dark chocolate, leather, spices including burnt sugar, olive, blonde tobacco, truffle, violet, and old wood. On the palate is a fresh taste of spring.

Sunday

2021 Jordanov, Zilavka  $14
North Macedonia
This unusual indigenous varietal has notes of warm citrus and wildflowers. Zippy, balanced acidity with layers of citrus, green peach, and minerality. Just a hint of sweetness at the end. The Zilavka grape from Herzegovina has trekked its way over the mountains of Kosovo and Montenegro to land in the hot, fertile plains of North Macedonia.

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

We get a bit more chilly weather this weekend, but Madrona Wine is stocked with goodies to take the chill off.  We will have one of them open each day just to make sure that Dave and Patrick keep up their toasty dispositions.

Saturday

2015 Flegenheimer Bros. Paisant Red $15
85% Grenache, 15% Shiraz
McLaren Vale Australia
This Rhone style Red from Down Under, shows plenty of charm, featuring fresh strawberry and raspberry flavors that are pretty and supple, with accents of cedar and caramel. Notes of pine needle and forest floor linger on the plush finish.
Was $20 Now $15

Sunday

2020 Joseph Mellot, Sincerité Rouge $13
Pinot Noir
Loire Noir. Notes of red berries on the nose. Soft and round on the palate with good length and lovely finesse. Fruity finish. A good little value wine.

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

The temperatures have dropped back down this week, so we are opening an Aglianico from Southern Italy this Thursday to help warm us up.  Swing by and have a sip.

2019 Macarico, Macarì Aglianico del Vulture  $20
An earthy yet alluring display of crushed ashen stone, black raspberries, peppery herbs and animal musk aromas. Its soft, fleshy textures and ripe red fruits are motivated by juicy acidity, yet grippy tannins settle in toward the close.
Biodynamic

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Mardi Gras has arrived and this weekend we are pouring a pair of French wines to get you ready for Fat Tuesday.  

2017 Domaine Masson-Blondelet Pouilly-Sur-Loire “La Côte des Près”  $15
100% Chasselas
Straightforward and refreshing, the Pouilly-Sur-Loire is lighter and more discreet than its big brother the Pouilly-Fumé. Light and soft, it reproduces the fresh and crispy aromas of the Chasselas grape. Fine and mineral finish.
Was $24 Now $15

2020 Chateau Le Roc Bordeaux Rouge  $12
70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
The Landie family own the estate for 2 generations. This value rouge has notes of red fruit & vanilla. Well-balanced with silky tannins, this is a mouth-watering drink-now Bordeaux that punches well above its weight.

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Get back in the swing of things.  Ground Hog Day has passed and the rain has returned.  Time for a good bottle of wine.  Here’s what we’ll have open this weekend.

Saturday

2019 Hanna, Red Ranch Alexander Valley  $20
Cabernet Sauvignon
Concentrated and well balanced, this classic-style Cabernet lets the savory, bay laurel and sage aspects of the grape variety come through, accenting focused black cherries on a moderately tannic but not heavy structure.
Was $35 Now $20

Sunday

Savian, Evento Rosé  $10
100% Merlot
Veneto
This extra-dry Spumante strikes the eye for its hues of rose petals. Its bouquet is delicate and at the same time complex, with a light hint of walnut husk. Well-balanced in acidity and sugar contents, it reveals a particularly intense, harmonious, markedly lingering flavor.  11% alcohol by volume
Was $12 now $10

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

It is a busy weekend here at the wine shop as we wrap up January.

After a long dry spell we have two new Italian Olive Oils here at the shop.  Life isn’t just about wine.

Petrizzelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil  $20
The Petrizzelli is made exclusively from the Coratina Olive a very small, low yielding varietal that rewards those who have the patience to work with it.  Cold pressed.  Organic

2022 Poggio la Noce 100% Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil  $30
Tuscany
A high-quality pure Extra Virgin Olive Oil with elegant aromas, cultivated and pressed directly at the estate, within hours of harvesting, using onsite press. Cold pressed. Organic

But of course a lot of it is about wine.  Saturday we’ll be pouring:

2019 Alary La Grange Daniel  $15
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Counoise, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
from a plethora of grapes grown on clay soils at the foot of the plateau of scrubland in Cairanne.  Aromas are of red cherries and garrigue. The palate is mid weight or a little bigger with brambly red fruit, plums, milk chocolate, mineral and stone. This is very tasty with pleasant acidity and integrated tannins.  Organic

With that many grapes how can you go wrong?

And then Sunday:
The artist reception for

Natural Things — Choses Naturelles 
Renée Simard
3 to 5 pm
Come meet Renée and see the new show.

Natural things. On walks, the beauty I see in trees, fruits, bushes, mosses, new buds, or even, wilting flowers often stop me in my tracks. Images strike me and I can’t wait to put them on canvas. My eyes are attracted to colors and movements. My head is preoccupied by thoughts, sounds, and even smells. The world we live in provides endless opportunity for distraction and inspiration…

The oil paintings and silverpoint drawings I am honored to show here illustrate moments when I filter out stimuli. This series, titled Natural Things – Choses Naturelles, represents part of my artist’s relationship with nature.

White calla lilies, for example, are exasperating and aren’t white! Their leaves are green, yellowish at times, blueish green, often pure color with all its brightness. Depending on weather, time of day, surroundings, the lilies’ single petal (a spathe) shifts from grey to yellow to blue to green, even a touch of purple. These flowers make challenging models: simple, elegant, shapely. Fascinating! Did I mention that slugs love them too?

My Madrona garden’s calla lilies hold a special place in my heart for the sweet neighbor who shared rhizomes shortly after I moved here. I started sketching them years ago and I still discover new shapes. Feels like I am in the art studio attending a live model session with two-minute poses! Still life…not so still!
— Renée Simard

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6pm

We carried the Torre Gajo for some time until the distributor had a big gap in their shipping containers.  But it is back in stock and we’ll be pouring the new arrival this Thursday.  Stop in for a crisp sip.

2021 Torre Gajo, Pinot Grigio Della Venezie  $15
Torre Gajo is produced by a cooperative of growers, They make this big bottle of Pinot Grigio from the Alto Adage. Good value, good body, and crisp spicy fruit. 12.5% alcohol by volume
1 liter

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Stop in and have a taste.

2017 Elqui Wines ‘Limited Release’ Syrah  $20
100% Syrah
A big Syrah form Chile, this wine offers hints of peat and graphite, and is quite aromatic and expressive. The aromas are dark, with black fruit and also some black olives. The palate is round and quite bold. It is juicy and satisfying, ripe and a little heady.
Was $30 Now $20

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM