Italy is a long Isthmus that looks strikingly like a leg with a boot.  This Saturday will be pouring some anatomically correct wines from up and down the leg.  It is also a chance to try some of Italy’s diverse grape varietals like Greco, Gaglioppo, Teraldego and Cesanese.  Come study some anatomy with us.

2013 Stati, Lamezia Bianco  $13 
50% Greco, 50% Malvasia
Lamezia is located in Calabria (the toe of the boot).  In this warm, humid region along the Tyrrhenian Sea, grapes can fully ripen and develop rich textures.  The close proximity of the Mediterranean helps to moderate the intense heat of the south Italian summer.  The Bianco has flowery and fruity aromas with notes of acacia, hawthorn, winter melon and plum.  The palate it is fresh, clean with a pleasant mineral undertone.  12% alcohol by volume.

2012 Statti, Gaglioppo  $17
Gaglioppo is a hardy variety. Its berry bunches are tightly packed, with a medium skin thickness. The vine’s production is fairly prolific, vigorous with lots of foliage, as well as predictable from vintage to vintage. Gaglioppo ripens fairly late usually in the first week in October, but Calabria’s climate provides enough heat and light to fully ripen the fruit. The wine has intense aromas of cherry and spices with generous flavors of almonds, figs and pears and a moderate alcohol of 12.5%.

2011 Lechthaler, Teraldego  $14 
Trentino is in the north of Italy (high up the thigh). The vast flat area in the province of Trento known as the Campo Rotaliano has proved to be a highly favorable habitat for Teroldego.  Teroldlego makes a bright fruity wine with aromas of ripe black cherry, distinct sweet earth and tobacco.  It has a smooth texture with notes of cherries, black raspberry, a touch of spice and medium tannins 12.5% alcohol by volume.

2012 Principe Pallavicini, Amarasco Cesanese  $22
100% Cesanese
Pallavicini is located in Lazio (the knee cap).  The name Amarasco refers to the typical aromas of the Cesanese grape variety, the violetta flower and sour cherry, also called “amarasco” in Italian. This wine comes from some of the oldest Pallavicini vineyards with 60-year-old vines. The wine has broad aromas with notes of nutmeg, red rose and spicy nuances.  The palate has great thrust but is balanced and mouthfilling with a long finish.

2010 Rocca di Frassinello, Poggio alla Guardia  $20
45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangioveto
Maremma is located on the coast in the Southeast corner of Tuscany (just above the knee cap)  Rocca di Frassinello is a joint venture between Castellare and Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite. The project couples Castellare’s experience in the growing and vinification of Sangioveto with Lafite’s experience in classic French varietals. The native Sangioveto and the Bordeaux varietals Cabernet and Merlot are blended together for an ideal Italian-French wine. The wine has aromas of red fruits and a fresh and rounded flavor with good persistence.

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.

When the Amore of Valentine’s Day has passed, it’s time for “The Other”. Sunday you can find a little side action at Madrona Wines. We’ll be pouring “The Other” from Periano Estates in both red and white. The wines are all estate-grown fruit from Lodi, California. Come have a fling.

2011 Peirano Estate Vineyards    ($11)
‘The Other’ Estate Grown White Wine
65% Chardonnay, 25% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Viognier
Aromas of apples, pears, tropical fruit, and a whiff of bubble gum are complemented by hints of coconut and vanilla. Lush flavors of fresh ripe pears, apples, tropical fruit and homemade lemon pie.

2012 Peirano Estate Vineyards    ($11)
‘The Other’ Estate Grown Red Wine
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Syrah
The aromas of blackberries and plums are complemented by spice, toasty oak and cedar notes. On the palate, sweet black cherries and boysenberries, with a hint of smoky, dark 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. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.

Looking for Love This Weekend?
Then stop by Madrona Wine for a little amorous adventure.
 
Saturday we are pouring a lovely line of Wines for Valentines starting at 2pm.
 
When the amore of Valentine’s Day has passed, it’s time for “The Other”. Sunday you can find a little side action at Madrona Wines. We’ll be pouring “The Other” from Periano Estate Vinyards in both red and white. The wines are all estate-grown fruit from Lodi, California. Come have a fling.

 2011 Peirano, The Other White  $11
65% Chardonnay, 25% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Viognier

2012 Peirano,The Other Red $11
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Syrah

And it is also Mardi Gras, so don’t forget to stock up on that wine to go with your gumbo.

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.

Saturday is Valentine’s Day and we have lined up some lovely wines to help express the Amoré within your soul.  Bring your sweetheart to the shop and share the love.
 
2012 Antech Émotion Rosé $15
Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Mauzac and Pinot Noir
The Émotion is a different Cremant de Limoux from the Languedoc region of the south of France. It is a crisp, elegant sparkler made in the traditional method, spending 15 months in the bottle before disgorgement.  It has a fine bead, delicate hints of cherry and strawberry with white floral notes. What would Valentine’s Day be without a little Emotion?
 
2011 Chateau Les Hauts de Plaisance, Haut Medoc $15
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
The Heights of Pleasure (Hauts de Plaisance) promises a lot and delivers.  This second wine from Chateau Pontoise Cabarus has a complex aromatic nose of red fruit, berries, coffee, and spice.  The palate has a delicious balance of fruit, tannins, and acidity this wine tastes of cherry and blackberry, with a hint of coffee and chocolate.  Take your Valentine to the heights of pleasure or take the Hauts de Plaisance to your Valentine.  
 
2012 Gabbas LilLové, Cannonau di Sardenga  $20
Cannonau is Grenache in Sardinia.  This one comes from Giuseppe Gabbas’ strategically placed vineyards, which he farms with a whole lot of love, using strict yield-reducing techniques such as green harvesting, canopy management and frequent pruning to produces the highest quality Cannonau grapes. The wines is macerated for an extra-long period of 30 days. The LilLové is delicately spicy with juicy red berry fruit and soft earthy notes.  Love a little, love a lot.
 
Terracruda, Sweet Temptation  $12
This wine is a blend of Terracruda’s Pergola Rosso wine with a particular variety of wild cherries called “Visciole”. In July, when the cherries are mature, they are picked and mixed together with wine and sugar to obtain a second fermentation. The result is a sweet, delicate, particularly aromatic wine that marries well with desserts and chocolate based sweets.  No one can resist such temptation.

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.

Continuing our theme this weekend, we’ll be pouring these two from Portugal. Stop on by, try, and buy.

2013 Esporao Alandra    ($9)
Antão Vaz, Perrum and Arinto
Fragrant and elegant with floral as well as lime and other citrus aromas and full dry fruit. A lovely little wine from Portugal.
12.5% by volume

2012 Tuga Douro    ($9)
Portugal
Red fruits and spicy aromas. The mild maceration preserves the typical flavors of the varieties that show its potential after bottling. The palate is very gentle and sweet, with well balanced acidity and fine tannins. Pairs well with Mediterranean and Asian food.
12.5% 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.

Punxsutawney Phil may have seen his shadow last Monday on Groundhog Day, but it ushered in a week of gray and moisture here in Madrona.  But while the skies are overcast we’ll be pouring a weekends worth of Portuguese wines to drive away the dampness.

Saturday we start at 2 with a five wines from Alentejo, the Douro and Madeira that will warm the body and lift the spirits.

Sunday we’ll be pouring two more Portuguese favorites:
2013 Esporao Alandra  $9
Antão Vaz, Perrum and Arinto
Fragrant and elegant with floral as well as lime and other citrus aromas and full dry fruit.
2012 Tuga Douro Red  $9
The Tuga has red fruits and spicy aromas. The palate is very gentle and sweet, with well-balanced acidity and fine tannins.  It’s a crowd pleaser.

Sunday is also our Artist Reception for our new art:
Unconditional Line
Landscape Drawings by Heather Comeau Cromwell & Suzanne Brooker
A collection of landscape drawings, from quick sketches to tonal renderings that explore the ability of line to define shape, create form and provoke the sense of texture.
3-5pm — stop in and meet the artists.

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.

Portugal was for centuries best know abroad for its fortified Port wine, with their dry wines mainly being drunk at home, but in the past 20 years or so things have changed.  The Duro the traditional home to port wines is becoming known for its full dry reds wines.  The Alentejo whose landscape lazily unfolds among gentle slopes that host vineyards, corn fields, olive groves and cork is producing world class wine.  Join us on Saturday as we sample a few Portugal’s fine offerings.
 
2011 Herdade do Esporão, Arco de Esporão Branco  $11
Antão Vaz, Roupeiro, Viosinho
Esperão is one of th major wineries of the Alentejo making wines in a wide range of styles.  The Arco Branco, made from 3 indigenous varietals, is fresh and elegant aromas with notes of lime and grapefruit, with rich and intense flavors on a crisp palate, and a persistent finish.
 
2011 Herdade do Mouchão, Alentejo Dom Rafael Tinto  $15
Trincadeira with Alicante Bouschet and Aragonêz
Dom Rafael is the 2nd wine of the celebrated Herdade do Mouchão.  The Rafael is softer and more approachable in its youth.  It has a rich, dark, full spicy nose with complex lush fruit. The palate is savory and dark with good depth of fruit and some nice spicy structure and a savory finish.
 
2010 Van Zellers, Duro Tinto  $17
Rufete, Sousão, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Francisca, Tinta Roriz, Toruiga Franca, Toruica Nacional.
Van Zellers was established in 1780 as a port house, but it wasn’t until 2006 that they began the production of Douro DOC wines.  Their Tinto with its plethora of port grapes is very aromatic, with ripe red fruit, and plum. It is a very elegant and delicate wine with soft tannins and final long fruity and striking.
 
2011 Herdade do Esporão, Quatro Castas   $22
Alicante Bouschet, Aragonês, Petit Verdot, Syrah
Made from a blend of 4 grapes the Quatro Castas has predominately red berries aromas associated with Aragones. It has a full body palate from Syrah with attractive texture from Alicante and great balance from Petit Verdot.
 
Henriques & Henriques, Medium Rich 5 Year Old Madeira  $20
Madeira is Portugal’s other fortified wine.  Its unique character comes for heating the wine and exposing it to some oxidation.  Henriques & Henriques is the only Madeira producer with estate vineyards.  Their medium rich 5 YO is a blend of Tinta Negra Mole and Bual. The nose is dominated by a dry walnut husk and almost straw like character with a hint of burnt brown sugar and chocolate coming through.  The Palate has a real sense of freshness about it, with plenty of tang, plenty of orange and a really intense caramel and toffee sweetness. this is luscious through the mid palate and into the fresh and tangy 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.

Continuing our mixed theme this weekend, we’ll be pouring these two from France. Stop on by, try, and buy.

2010 Claude Lafond Les Grande Vignes    ($15)
Pinot Noir
A lighter aromatic Pinot for a small estate in the Loire. Lots of rose petal, pie cherry and citrus peel.
Was $19 now $15.
12.5% by volume

2012 Cave de Rasteau
Cotes du Rhone     ($11)
70% Grenache, 20% Carignan, 10% Cinsault
With no Syrah in this CDR, the wine ends up showing off its fruit more and has some lovely perfume notes.

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.