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.

2012 Tasàri     ($9)
55% Nero d’Avola, 45% Merlot
A powerhouse Sicilian blend, with lots of plum, blackberry, licorice and road tar. Not subtle, just a lot of flavor.

2008 Manzano Cortona    ($14)
Syrah
A dry and dusty Tuscan Syrah with more herbal notes than smoke and spice. Was $18 Now $14

When it comes to grapes, the land is everything.  Certain spots just seem perfect for some varietals.  This Saturday we’ll be tasting a few wines that seem to have found their perfect spots.  We’ll be pouring Glera from Veneto, Passerina from Marche, Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Sangiovese from Tuscany and the truly unique Wildbacher.  It is a fun line up from Italy.  Come taste the terrain.
 
Case Bianche, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Brut Vigna del Cuc, Prosecco Superiore DOCG $16
A single vineyard prosecco from the heart of the DOCG the Vigna del Cuc shows subtle tones of sweet grapefruit and lemon curd followed by softer touches of peach and honey. It is round and supple with a dry-yet-fruity medium body and lingering mineral notes.
 
2012 Terre Fageto, Passerina Letizia $12
100% Passerina
From the Marche, this organically grown 3rd generation estate likes to name its wines with flair. The Ltitzia or “Joy” has pleasing apple aromas and fresh smooth flavors.

2010 Terre del Barolo, Nebbiolo d’ Alba $13
A cooperative of growers, Terre del Barolo makes some quality traditional Piedmont wines without traditional pricing.  Their basic Nebbiolo is a full structured that drinks above its price.  It has chewy tannins mixed with red cherries and floral notes.
 
2010 Piaggia, Pietranera $18
Piaggia is located right in the heart of Carmignano in Tuscany.  They follow organic methods with. Integrated insect and disease control, organic fertilizers, copper and sulphur-based products are mainly used, but the vineyards see no insecticides or herbicides, the soil between the rows of vines is tilled and low doses of SO2are used for preservation.  The Pietranera is classic Sangiovese with aromas of Cherries and Marasca cherries with elegant balsamic and spicy notes.  Full and enveloping, with a charming elegance on the palate.   
 
2007 Tenuta Col Sandago, Wildbacher $27
100% Wildbacher
From the same maker as the Case Bianche, Tenuta Col Sandago nestles among the splendid hills of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene.  Here Col Sandago has preserved and sustained the cultivation of the rare and exclusive Wildbacher a distinct and historic grape of the area.  The wine is made in a classic style aging for 20 months in 500-litre oak barrels, half new and half of first and second passage; followed by a year in bottle. The wine is intense, with notes of berry fruit, vegetal hints and spices concentrated, full with fine prominent tannins, lingering and with great nose-palate symmetry.  It is a wine that rewards aging.