This Sunday we are featuring the wines from the House of Independent Producers which is the pet project of Christophe Hedges of Hedges Family Estate. The back label sports a compelling mission statement: To capture terroir in its most raw form and to preserve the integrity of the wine world by rebelling against the 100 point rating system. A wine of sustainable and environmentally friendly farming. No advertising.
Come taste for yourself.
2011 Independent Producers La Bourgeoisie ($13) Chardonnay
Dionysus Vineyard
The Independent Producers Chardonnay is as close to a Chablis style white as you can find on the west coast. The wine sees no oak, and is a true definition of terroir winemaking, highlighting the beautiful vineyards of Sagemoor Farms, specifically the Dionysus Vineyard. Crisp and refreshing and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Sustainable.
2011 Independent Producers La Bourgeoisie ($13) Merlot
Bacchus Vineyard
With minimal winemaking intervention, Merlots ability to display grace, some say better than that of Pinot Noir, is unmatched. This single vineyard unoaked Merlot is soft and full and comes with a font library and a Manifesto. Sustainable.
All our suppliers are slacking off or at the beach with a 5 day weekend — so we decided to put together this Saturdays tasting on our own. No theme, No pitch, just tasty good wine that we like and that we’d like to share with you. They are all very tasty and good values.
2012 Vieux Clocher Côtes du Rhône Blanc $10
Grenache Blanc, Clairette
A good floral nose of lilac and honeysuckle followed by a limy zest attack and a melon flavored finish. Forget about Chardonnay, there is a lot of other white wine out there.
2012 Château De Flaugergues Les Comtes Rosé $14
60% Grencache, 40% Syrah The Flaugergues is a dry and herbal Rosé from the Languedoc. It’s summer, what more do you need?
2009 Pasquale Pelissero Crosa $12 Dolcetto d’ Alba The Pelissero is a smooth and silky Dolcetto with lots of ripe dark fruit. It is a great BBQ wine or something to just sip in the shade. It’s on a little bit of a deal — Was $15 Now $12
2006 Tenuta Mormoraia Chianti Colli Senesi $17 Sangiovese
A nicely developed Sangioveseiwith notes of cherry, tobacco, and spice. This is a pretty serious wine for the money.
2008 Triennes, St. Auguste, Provence $18 Syrah , Cabernet, Merlot This is the winery’s flagship wine from a selection of their best cuvées of Syrah, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Merlot. The wine is a rich dark purple with bright ruby highlights, and has alluring aromas of ripe black cherries, nutmeg and clove. It is full and concentrated. Compare to any Washington $20 wine from the same grapes and see what you think — actually any $40 wine for that matter. It’s sustainably farmed so you can feel good about drinking too.
This Sunday takes us to Spain for some summer sippers from the Ribera Del Duero region. Located in north-central Spain, to the southwest of Rioja, the high plain of Ribera del Duero is Tempranillo country, with nearly all of the best wines made entirely or almost all from this variety. As in Rioja, the spring comes late here; summer temperatures can be hot but the nighttime cools considerably at these altitudes, with the result that the wines from this region normally possess decent acidity and avoid overripe character.
Come taste for yourself.
2011 Bodegas Viña Vilano Verdejo ($10)
Ribera Del Duero
Bodegas Viña Vilano is located in the village of Pedrosa de Duero, province of Burgos, internationally regarded as the most privileged wine-growing region within the Designation of Origin of Ribera del Duero, with 300 hectares of vineyards dating back to its foundation in 1957. A tasty Verdejo with a good mix of tropical fruits and herbal notes. Quaffable.
2007 El Quintanal Joven ($10)
Tempranillo
Ribera Del Duero
A ripe and fruity old vine Tempranillo was once young but now has a good bit of bottle age on it after 3 months in oak. Still robust. Excellent for appetizers, pastas and red meats. Was $12 now $10
Some people have the luck. Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini owns not one but four estates in Tuscany each producing quality wine from their own sub regions. This Saturday we’ll be pouring some of these fine wines for three of the wineries. Ignazio Crivelli Visconti (Elisabetta’s nephew) will join us to tell us more about the wineries unique differences.
2011 Doga delle Clavule, Vermentino $12 This Vermentino grows in the soft hills of Maremma benefiting from the sea breezes and from the light reflected by the Tirreno sea. The wine has scents of wild flowers and a hint of yellow peach. The flavor is savory with good structure.
2009 Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico $14 90% Sangiovese, 5%Merlot, 5% Colorino From Chianti Classico the wine ages in oak barrels for 12 months and 5 in the bottle. It has an intense bouquet with hints of soft black fruits with vanilla and cocoa. The palate is dry, firmly structured with a good harmony between fruit and tannins.
2010 Borgo Scopeto, Borgonero $20 60% Sangiovese, 20% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon The name Borgonero comes from a former farming settlement on the estate and the wine is a Supertuscan with great personality and elegance, selected from the best of the vineyards. The wine is aged for 18-24 months in durmast casks of 30 hl and 8 months in the bottle. It is intense with notes of leather and tobacco, full round fruit and velvety tannins.
2007 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino $36 Brunello di Montalcino is perhaps the finest region for growing Sangiovese and the price usually reflects it. The Caparzo is a refreshing exception. It matures for 36 months in Slavonia and French oak barrels of medium capacity 30-50 Hl. The bouquet is penetrating, very full and varied, reminiscent of wild berries. The flavors are dry, warm, full-bodied, harmonious, delicate and austere at the same time.
The Abbazia di Novacella, located in the northern-most winegrowing region on the southern side of the Alps was founded in 1142 by the Bishop of Brixen. The mineral-rich soils, the elevation (1,970 ft – 2,950 ft) and the cool climate are all factors which explain the intense aromas and flavors as well as fruity, mouth-watering acidity found in the white Valle Isarco valley grapes. The long drawn-out ripening period extending well into the autumn is crucial to the development of the reds. Stop by after work on Thursday and try these delicious wines.
2011 Sylvaner $18 An elegant, full-bodied white wine, greenish yellow in color; fresh fruit on the nose with a rich concentrated palate of honey and ripe apple, and hints of tropical fruit cut by refreshing acidity on the finish.
2011 Kerner $18 An aromatic white wine which has become a specialty of the Eisack Valley: pale straw yellow with green reflexes, apple and peach fruit on the nose with a hint of mango, ripe and full on the palate, its opulence cut by crisp acidity.
2011 Schiava (Edel Vernatch) $13 Bright pale ruby, fruity on the nose, with aromas reminiscent of summer fruits and cherry; succulent, gentle and fruity on the palate with soft, unobtrusive tannins and mild supple acidity.
2010 Lagrien $18 Intensely deep in color, almost black tinged with purple. Very open on the nose with concentrated aromas of violets, blackberries and black cherries all meshed with savory flavors, coffee and dark chocolate; supple youthful tannins and superb length.
Can’t make the tastings, but still want to try new and interesting wines?
Sign up for Madrona Wines Monthly, our Wine Club where each month we pick unique selections from the hundreds of wines we taste each month. You get:
— A hand-picked selection of intriguing wines waiting to be discovered
— 10% off your wine club selections
— Discounts on our “Special Tastings” such as our Champagne Tasting in December
— A ready supply of delicious wines just waiting for a pull of the cork
We have several wine club levels to suit your pallet and pocket:
Everyday Exploration:
Good quality wines that don’t require a special occasion. This club gives you wine for good, everyday drinking. These selections from all over the world are meant to go with food. If you buy two or three bottles a week at the grocery store, we promise you that you’ll drink better with this club! Pick your favorites and come back for more.
Your choice of either six or twelve bottles a month. Choices all red, all white or 50%/50% or 60%/40%).
6 bottle selection: $50 – $75 plus tax 12 bottle selection: $100 – $150 plus tax
Connoisseur Classics:
Classic samplings from around the world. It could be a new Cabernet from Walla Walla, or an old Barolo from the Piedmont, but they all will be excellent wines that represent their place and style. We’ll pick from some of the most exciting wine we find each month. Take our choice or tell us your preferences, and we’ll hand pick to your interest.
3 bottle selection: $75 – $135 plus tax
6 bottle selection: $150 – $270 plus tax
This Sunday it’s a knock down rosé taste off pitting the Feisty French against the New World Americans. Representing France is:
2011 R. Dubois & Fils Rosé ($10)
Pinot Noir
Sister and brother Béatrice and Raphaël Dubois have been running the estate together since 2006, winegrower in Burgundy for nine generations. Today, the young generation of the family shows an unusual collaboration between Béatrice, who, being a winemaker, takes care of the vinification with passion and Raphaël who is responsible for the vineyard and the wine marketing. The vineyard covers today 23.5 hectares. A succulent pink to hold us over until the boats come in. Was $15 now $10
Weighing in for the Americans we have:
2011 Sorter Vineyards North Valley Rosé ($13)
80% Pinot Noir, 16% Chardonnay, 4% Gewürztraminer
A somewhat odd blend of grapes for a rosé, but it totally works. Nice strawberry flavors mixed with a bit of spiciness from the Gewürztraminer. Sustainable.
This Saturday we’ll be featuring some new wines from Corsica that have recently arrived on these shores. Corsica became French in 1769, but still retains some Italian winemaking traditions. Nielluccio, the local version of Sangiovesse, is the common red grape, but it more Corse than Tuscan. We’ll also be trying two new vintages from James Calmes, an ambitious Oenologist from the Languedoc who excels at making fresh and distinct wine at very affordable price. And lastly we’ll be trying a classic Northern Rhone Syrah by Francois Tardy from the great 2010 vintage. Three winemakers, three regions, five great values — Come see what it’s all about.
2011 Jerome Calmes Les Perles Picpoul $9 Picpoul which translates as “lip stinger” is the Muscadet of the South of France. The Les Perles, made by Jérôme Calmes, a very innovative oenologist, has fresh and fine aromas of grapefruit, exotic fruit and lime flavors that wake up your mouth.
2012 Clos Venturi, Domaine Vico, Vin de Corse Rosé $15 70% Nielluccio (Sangiovese ) and 30% Grenache Founded in 1901, Domaine Vico is one of the oldest estates in Corsica. Located in the middle of the island, the soils are a unique mix of sandstone, shale and schiste. The 2012 Vico Rosé sports a pretty nose of ripe strawberry and cantaloupe. The fruit is very ripe due and plump with plenty of minerality to lend balance.
2010 Jerome Calmes, Les Capucin, Coteaux du Languedoc $10 75% Syrah 25% Grenache The vineyards for Les Capucin are situated at 200 meters in the foothills of the Caroux Mountains in Languedoc. During the nights of end of summer, the altitude and proximity of mountains give coolness as a contrast to the high temperatures of the day and schistous soil helps to avoid water stress. The place is perfect for Syrah, and makes the Capucin an outstanding value with lots of dark fruit, full mouth, fine tannins, fresh aromas, and good balance
2012 Clos Venturi, Domaine Vico, Vin de Corse Rouge $15 80% Nielluccio, 20% Syrah The vines for the Rouge range from 25 to 75 years old. In Corsica the Nielluccio is a local relative of Sangiovesse, but take on a different expression on these Island soils. The Vico is a distinct robust red with aromas of licorice, pepper, and raspberry and a supple, fruity palate.
2010 Francois Tardy, Les Champs Fourne, Crozes Hermitage $24 Francois Tardy, an organic grape farmer, makes intense, slightly wild, authentic, delicious Syrah. This fine-value Crozes comes from his younger (5-10 year old) vines. Its bright, bold berry fruit mixes with game and spice. The wine has good acidity, modest tannins, almost no oak.
And don’t forget our Rosé Taste-Off between the US and France this Sunday from 11-5. We will be comparing and contrasting these two lovelies:
Representing France is:
2011 R. Dubois & Fils Rosé ($10) Pinot Noir Sister and brother Béatrice and Raphaël Dubois have been running the estate together since 2006, winegrower in Burgundy for nine generations. Today, the young generation of the family shows an unusual collaboration between Béatrice, who, being a winemaker, takes care of the vinification with passion and Raphaël who is responsible for the vineyard and the wine marketing. The vineyard covers today 23.5 hectares. A succulent pink to hold us over until the boats come in. Was $15 now $10
Weighing in for the Americans we have:
2011 Sorter Vineyards North Valley Rosé ($13) 80% Pinot Noir, 16% Chardonnay, 4% Gewürztraminer A somewhat odd blend of grapes for a rosé, but it totally works. Nice strawberry flavors mixed with a bit of spiciness from the Gewürztraminer. Sustainable.
Round four of our Sunday Sippers Series. This week we head to Italy to the Terre Margaritelli winery. Since 1870, the Margaritelli family has tended 52 hectares in the center of Umbria between Perugia and Assisi in the noted wine region of Torgiano, one of the first Italian DOCs. Around thirty hectares are for regular production and market, while the other 22 hectares consist of experimental vines. The winery recently built an experimental wine laboratory which will work with small quantities of diverse varietals to test the production of each and to optimize the process of vinification, in relation to the specifications unique to the territory of Torgiano. But that’s all just background for this Sunday Sipper tasting. We will be featuring one of their whites and one of their reds.
2010 Terre Margaritelli Roccascossa ($9) 70% Sangiovese, 10% Canajolo, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
From Umbria, a fresh all stainless Sangiovese blend. Was $12 now $9
Organic
2011 Terre Margaritelli Pietramala ($10) 85% Trebbiano, 15% Grechetto
From Torgiano, a small hill town in the heart of Umbria, the Pietramala has Meyer lemon, salt-water stream, and green olive aromas. Grassy aromas and good body. Was $12 now $10
Organic
To ensure that we can provide you with the specific wine that you are looking for, please call or email us with your request. It’s important to note that the vintage and availability of wines can vary from year to year.
Come taste for yourself.
2011 Independent Producers La Bourgeoisie ($13)
