It’s official.  After the warmest winter in memory, Spring is here.  And it looks like a mix of everything for the first weekend of Spring, with blossoms blowing everywhere, intermittent sowers and breaks of sunshine.  At Madrona Wine Merchants we are mixing it up as usual.

Saturday we’re tasting some organic wines of Terre Rouge and Easton Cellars.  Even though it has two names this is one winery that grows organic grapes in Amador county in the Sierra Foothills of California.  Bill Easton’s wines are worth checking out.  We start at 2.

Sunday, all day, we’re pouring two under the radar wines from Washington State. These low flying wines deliver big taste and good value.

2011 Upland Estates, Gewurztraminer $10
“Upland Winery,” was Eastern Washington’s first winery and  cultivated its first plantings on Snipes Mountain in 1917.  In 1934, they started commercially making wine unfortified wine out of European grape varieties.  Some things have changed since then but the Upland Estates still farms some of those original vineyards.  Their Gewurztraminer is dry and nicely complex with a  pleasant mix of herbs and spice notes.

2012 Airfield Estates, Dauntless $15
72% Merlot, 13% Malbec, 11% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc
Airfield Estates is located on an old air base (founded Pre World War II by the Olympic Transport Company) at the foothills of the Rattlesnake Mountains, near Sunnyside, WA. Seeing the agricultural promise of the location, H. Lloyd Miller purchased the air base at auction and for four generations the Miller family has farmed the surrounding area, planting its first vines in 1968 (most of that being sold to Chateau St. Michelle until recently.) An estate grown red blend, the Dauntless has aromas of plum & spice, the palate is full bodied with smooth tannins, soft oak and flavors of black cherry and spice.

Breeze on in and have a sip.

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. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.

Bill Easton started his winery in 1986 on the West Slope of the Sierra Nevada in Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley.  His Terre Rouge wines focuses on classic Rhône varieties while Easton Cellars he uses for traditional California varietals.  “Terre Rouge” means red soil, which can be found in the volcanic and granitic soils of the vineyard.  The Estate is sustainably & organically farmed, the winery is solar powered and the uses recycled glass.  They also have estate owls on the property for rodent control.  Bill prefers organic farming. “With organic farming you are growing the soil and not just growing the plants.”  Stop in on Saturday and try these original wines from Amador.

2012 Easton Sauvignon Blanc Monarch Mine Vineyard  $17
Monarch Mine Vineyard is planted on a rocky site at 2500’with two clones of Sauvignon Blanc, Clone One (brisk) and Musque (floral, viscous).  The wine is co-fermented then aged for nine months in neutral French oak barrels on lees before bottling.  It does not undergo malolactic fermentation and therefore retains its delicious crispness. Its brisk mineral and key lime notes are rounded out by casaba melon and papaya flavors.

2011 Terre Rouge, Tete a Tete $19
The Tete a Tete is blended from more forward lots of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Grenache, with meaty, smoky, spicy complex characteristics.  “This easy drinking Rhône blend is the perfect wine to have a head to head, or heart to heart conversation with your best friend.

2011 Terre Rouge Cotes L’Ouest Syrah $18
The Cotes L’Ouest is Blended from 60 % lower elevation sites with 40% high elevation vineyards.  The wine has a clean purity of Syrah fruit that is reminiscent of a St. Joseph in the Northern Rhône. It is lush and supple with key notes of raspberry, smoke, pepper, and cinnamon.

2012 Easton Zinfandel  $18
The Easton Zin is blended from 25, 40, 60 and 80 year old vines, then aged in new and aged French oak for 10 months.  It is easy drinking and soul satisfying.  The 2012 has full black cherry and blackberry fruit aromas with a beautiful balance and a big, sumptuous, and juicy mouth feel. It also presents complex spicy aromas, with a nice creamy texture.

2011 Terre Rouge Mourvèdre Mourvedre $28
The Terre Rouge Mourvèdre is made with long lees contact to help broaden and fill the middle palate with great textural sensations. It’s like a true Bandol without the funk. The classic game, meat, smoke, blackberry characteristics of Mourvèdre is the perfect match for wild game, leg of lamb with olives, and smoked sausages. The 2011 was voted Mourvèdre of the Year by Wine and Spirits Magazine.

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. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.

Jim will be pouring some of his favorite French wines while Mark is at the Hōnen Matsuri Festival in Komaki, Japan. These two just arrived in shop and we are excited to share them with you.

2011 Dubois & Fils Hautes Côtes de Nuits   ($)
Pinot Noir
This Haute Côte has a bouquet of flowers and red fruits. The fruit aromas are well balanced with a few “animal” flavors. It will develop with a few years in the cellar. 12.5% by volume

2007 Château Gigault Cuvee Viva
85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Côtes de Blaye
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. 2007 was a cooler vintage. 13% 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. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.

One of the intriguing things about wine is that a number of them (the ones we like) are unique to place.  This Saturday we’ll be showing off some unique wines from Argentina and Chile that are from nowhere else.  The grapes all originated elsewhere, but they have all found new homes in South America.  Come taste the distinctness.
 
2013 Cousino Macul, Isidora, Savignon Gris  $17
This is a unique white, one which is something of a specialty at Cousiño Macul. Chile’s oldest winery brought vine cuttings from the Graves region of Bordeaux in the mid-19th Century.  Philoxera later wiped out all The Sauvignon Gris in France, but the vine thrived in Chile’s Maipo Valley.  Sauvignon Gris is a relative to Sauvignon Blanc, but produces wines a little bit fatter, richer, with less tendency towards grassiness, with aromas of wildflowers, citrus and spice and showing more body and richer texture than its Sauvignon Blanc cousin.
 
2013 Tilia, Torrontes $10
This winery takes its name after the Tilia (Linden) tree commonly found throughout Argentina’s wine country, the flowers of which make an herbal tea.  Tilia is dedicated to sustainability practicing water conservation and reuse, minimal use of pesticides and organic fertilization.  The grapes for the Torrontes come from vineyards in Cafayate and Salta- North of Argentina.  It is a floral white with citrus and apricot flavors and clean acidity.
 
2012 Leyda Pinot Noir $16
Leyda winery discovered and developed the Leyda Valley viticultural region of Chile; pioneering its cool, coastal viticulture, including this expressive and fruit driven, cold climate style of Pinot Noir.  The wine showcases red fruit with spiciness and floral notes. In the mouth it is fruity, juicy and fresh, with good acidity. The tannins are soft, sweet and well rounded.
 
2013 ReNacer, Punto Final, Malbec Clasico $11
Bodega ReNacer is built around environmentally sustainability, being the first winery in Argentina to use solar energy and to offset carbon emissions and certify its Carbon Footprint.  The Punto Final comes in an eco-friendly bottle, with a lighter weight (15% less glass, reduced carbon emissions), and a recyclable carton case.  The fruit for the Punto Final comes from 50 year old vines in Uco Valley, Luján de Cuyo and Medrano.  The final point has lots of good plush fruit (blackberry, blueberry and cassis) and a touch of oak.
 
2011 ReNacer Enamore $29
Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, and Cabernet Franc
Enamore is a twist on the word Amarone.  It is made using the appasimento technique (drying the grapes to increase their concentration) Amarone style.  The Enamore offers supple aromas of ripe plums and blackberries, interlaced with aromas of dried figs and raisins, with notes of vanilla, cocoa, and sweet tobacco. These aromas carry through to the palate where they are joined by toasty oak and sweet cinnamon. This is a full-bodied wine, rich and complex, with finely grained tannins and a long, opulent 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. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.

While there are no complaints about the weather here, it is Summer in the Southern Hemisphere.  With that in mind, we’ll be tasting the wines of Le Compagnie Vinicole Baron Edmond de Rothschild from South Africa and South America.  Edmond was one of the Rothchilds who branched off and took his Bordeauxish ideas to the Southern end of the world.  Join us and try them today (Saturday) at 2.

And to celebrate our good weather, Sunday we’ll be pouring two fresh Rosés.

Oriol Rossell Cava Brut Rosé   ($15)
Made solely from a northern Spanish indigenous grape Trepa, the Rossell has aromas of crushed sour berries, musk and orange rind with a the yeasty richness.

2013 Château Virgile Costières-de-Nîmes Rosé     ($10)
90% Grenache, 10% Syrah
Chateau Virgile is a family-owned domaine in the Costières de Nîmes  The grapes are harvested overnight and then fermented in stainless steel tanks. That brings out bright, refreshing, crisp fruit flavors of strawberry, cherry and raspberry. Was $13, Now $10

And if that isn’t enough, Sunday is also the Artist Reception for our new show of Still Life Paintings by Dahny Reed.  Come meet the artist from 3 to 5.

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. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.

 The Rothschild’s connection to wine dates to 1868 with the purchase of Château Lafite by James de Rothschild.  In 1973 Edmond de Rothschild, the great grandson of James, broke off on his own and purchased two “crus bourgeois” Château Clarke and Châteu Malmaison and founded Le Compagnie Vinicole Baron Edmond de Rothschild. Not content to stay in Bordeaux, La Compagnie started a joint venture with the Rupert family in South Africa at the foot of the magnificent Simonsberg Mountain. It also looked to Argentina and started Flechas de los Andes (named for the Rothschild family crest), in partnership with Laurent Dassault.  This Saturday we’re tasting the results of these alliances as well as tasting a few other wines of the Southern Hemisphere influenced by Bordeauxish ideas.  Come join us.
 
2014 La Motte Savignon Blanc $13
98% Sauvignon Blanc, 8% Semillion
La Motte is located in Franschhoek but pulls grapes for this blend from several of South Africas wine growing regions. The touch of Semillon gives a nod to Bordeaux.  The wine has crisp, herbaceous, citrus aromas, along with gooseberry and Granny Smith apple notes and steely finish.”
 
2012 Baron Edmond de Rothschild, Puntas de Flechas Malbec  $10
Flechas de los Andes is located at 1100 metres altitude in breathtaking foothills of the Andes. Here, the pebble and gravel-strewn alluvial terrain bears certain similarities to Bordeaux’s famed Graves appellation.  Their Malbec has a “Lovely focus of red and black fruits on the nose with lifted floral notes with excellent precision on the palate, sweet, velvety, rich fruit with underlying savory leather hints and minerality keeping everything fresh.”
 
2012 Rupert & Rothschild, Classique Red  $16
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
Rupert & Rothschild partnership was formed in 1997 in the Western Cape of South Africa.  The Classique Red “has a crisp and lively bouquet with raspberry, wild strawberry and dried herbs. The palate is well balanced with ripe black fruit infused with bay leaf, white pepper and tobacco, demonstrating fine weight and precision from start to finish. This is an excellent South African Bordeaux blend.”– 92pts WA
 
2011 Viu Manet, ViBo Vinedo Centenario   $16
Viu Manet is one of the older wineries in Argentina.  “The 2011 ViBo Vinedo Centenario is a Cabernet-Malbec blend from centenary vines completed with a dash of Petit Verdot. It is a serious red blend, with structure and meat, well-oaked, but with freshness and stuffing to reach better balance in bottle. Drink 2015-2020”
 
2012 Baron Edmond de Rothschild, Flechas de los Andes Gran Corte  $30
60% Malbec, 30% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Franc
Bodega Flechas de los Andes is carved into the natural slope of the land and transfers the harvest by gravity.  The Gran Corte comes from best plots in the vineyard and a selection of the finest barrels. The wine has intense nose of earthy black fruit aromas & licorice. This rich & powerful wine is full bodied with firm tannins with flavors of plums, anise and black fruits are supported by spice & well integrated savory French oak on the very long & lingering 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. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.

According to our good friends at WikiPedia, “As a very broad generalization, Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the blend in red wines produced in the Médoc and the rest of the left bank of the Gironde estuary. Typical top-quality Châteaux blends are 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Merlot. This is typically referred to as the “Bordeaux Blend.” Merlot tends to predominate in Saint-Émilion, Pomerol and the other right bank appellations. These Right Bank blends from top-quality Châteaux are typically 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.” Come join us for another old-world, new-world comparison.

2011 Château Bellegrave Medoc    ($13)
60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc,
3% Petit Verdot
Aromas of licorice, coffee, and strawberry and cherry fruit. Medium-bodied with smooth tannis and tasty fruit.
13% alcohol by volume.

2011 Hightower Cellars Murray Cuvée    ($15)
64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Malbec, 12% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot
The Murray has aromas of red berry fruits and cassis mingled with herbal notes. The cool vintage acidity makes this wine mouthwatering and juicy with a fruity mid-palate, finely textured tannins and toasty oak notes on the 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. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.

It looks to be a beautiful weekend in Madrona.  The sun is out, the air is fresh, and so is the wine.

Saturday we’re pouring new wines from France. Some are new arrivals to the shop and some are new vintages but all are super wines that you won’t want to miss.  The Silex is a fantastic white.  The Cave de Rasteau wines are great values. The Deux Albion is deep and rich, and the Terrebrune Bandol is classic. That starts at 2pm.

Sunday we pit the Old World versus New with two similar red blends.

2011 Château Bellegrave Medoc       ($13)
60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Aromas of licorice, coffee, and strawberry and cherry fruit.  Medium-bodied with smooth tannins and tasty fruit.

2011 Hightower Cellars Murray Cuvée       ($15)
64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Malbec, 12% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot
The Murray has  aromas of red berry fruits and cassis mingled with herbal notes.  The cool vintage acidity makes this wine mouthwatering and juicy with a fruity mid-palate, finely textured tannins and toasty oak notes on the finish.

Come enjoy the weather.

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. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.