Orange Wines For A Hot Weekend

Orange Wines are made by leaving white or blush grapes in contact with the juice after they are crushed.  Some only stay that way for a few days, others sit on the skins for several months.  The result is a different animal altogether with the astringent aspects of the skins playing off the fruit of the juice.  Chill one down and find a nice spot in the shade.

2021 Bonny Doon, Le Cigare Orange  $15
80% Grenache Blanc, 10% Grenache, 10% Orange Muscat
Doon’s long skin contact “Orange Wine:  Aromas of fresh peaches, citrus, bergamot.  It has a textured and vibrant palate with peach, apricot and citrus peel.
10.5% alcohol by volume

2020 Esencia Rural, Pampaneo  $18
Airen
A Spanish Orange Wine fermented 3 months on the skins bringing out the apple peel like tannins.  A yeasty & cloudy glass of fun(k).  Biodynamic
12.5% alcohol by volume

2018 L’Archetipo Litrotto Bianco  $19  1 liter
Marchione, Verdeca Fiano, Falanghina
Scents of citrus, yellow fruits and aromatic herbs are wrapped in a marine and Mediterranean breath. The taste is fresh and delicate.  Organic/Biodynamic 
12.5% alcohol by volume

2018 Klet Brda Krasno  $20
40% Ribillo Gialla, 30% Malvasia, 30% Sauvigonnasse
Krasno is the highest village in Brda, with a long wine tradition and an abundance of excellent sites.  This Orange Wine sits sur lie for 6 months.  The fresh and elegant white blend has an impressively mineral, full taste and delicate aromas of ripe white fruit, spices and wildflowers.
13% alcohol by volume

2020 Peaceful Living, Calcarius Orange Wine Puglia  $26  1 liter
Falanghina
A funky, cloudy liter of skin contact white from an organic farmer in southern Italy. Falanghina grown on limestone soils, given 5 days of maceration on the skins developing into a deeply hued orange wine. Fermented with indigenous yeast, no filtering or fining and a small addition of sulfites at bottling only.  Organic
11% alcohol by volume

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Don’t Worry, Get Nappy

We have a few deals in the shop from the sunny South.

2020 Silverado, Miller Ranch Sauvignon Blanc $20
Blended with 7% Sémillon and stainless-steel fermented, this is a sleek, acid-driven white. It offers a tart layer of grapefruit that builds to a richer core of pear and vanilla candy. Cohesive and complex, it is an enjoyable wine.
A deal 1 liter for $20

2019 Rutherford Hill, Napa Valley Merlot  $20
A big shouldered Napa Merlot with aromas of blackberry, cassis and black currant with hints of black tea leaves, Asian spice and graphite. Full- bodied entry with layers of blueberry, spiced boysenberry and mocha all coupled to well-integrated, rich tannins that give way to a rich, round, smooth finish.
Was $30, Now $20

2019 Experience, Napa Cabernet  $27
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% Malbec
A plush, forward Napa Cab to enjoy with life, now! The winery’s tasting note: “Intense ruby in color, this Cabernet opens with a lovely bouquet of forward fruit, soft notes of oak from the barrel fermentation, some anise and a hint of mocha. Ripe black fruit unfolds on the palate offering cassis, blackberry and black cherry. The finish is long and lingering with a smooth rich texture.”
Napa Cab for under $30

2018 Duckhorn, Paraduxx  $35
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Zinfandel, 10% Petit Verdot, 6% Petite Sirah, 6% Syrah, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec
Deep, dark and luxurious, this wine offers alluring aromas of blackberry, black cherry, blueberry, currant and cocoa powder, with underlying hints of saddle leather, cinnamon and clove. The voluptuous dark berry notes are echoed on the palate where they are framed by supple tannins and sophisticated layers of anise, vanilla, sweet tobacco leaf and fresh-cracked black pepper, all of which carry the wine to a juicy dark berry finish.
Was $50, Now $35

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Weekend Wines

It’s a long weekend Packed with Juneteenth, Father’s Day and the Summer Solstice.  It’s time to crack open a nice bottle or two of Red and Barbecue in the Summer rain.

2018 Nuiton Beaunoy, Bourgogne Cote d’Or  $25
Pinot Noir
Ready to drink Burgundy from a Cote d’Or cooperative.  Aroma of red berries – cherries, redcurrants and dark berries -blackberries, blackcurrants. Lively acidity with a pretty moreish mouthfeel!

2019 Domaine des Gaudets, Morgon Cote du Py  $23
Gamay
From a granite-based vineyard. Spice, strawberries, hints at evergreen pour from the glass and fill the room with their beautiful scents. The palate is full and rounded with firm tannins partnering the black-cherry fruit.

2020 Chateau Pierre Bise, Schistes Anjou Villages  $23
70% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
A mineral heavy Cab Franc from The Anjou.  Organic

2018 Audebert, Bourgueil  $21
Cabernet Franc
Purity and earthen tones are the key here. Red fruits of black raspberry and cherry meld perfectly with the chalky tones of the soil from which this old vine Cabernet Franc is grown. A lovely citrusy finish tidy’s up a long palate of pure excellence.

2017 Fattoria di Basciano, Il Corto  $25
90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vigna Il Corto is the flagship Tuscan red for Chianti winemaker Paolo Masi at his century old Fattoria di Basciano estate.  Intense and complex bouquet, with berry and cherry aromas and flavors, and well-integrated hints of vanilla. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with velvety ripe tannins, and a long finish.

2019 Remo Farina, Valpolicella Superiore Classico Ripasso  $20
Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara
Partially raisined on the vines, the Ripasso has fragrance of pepper, fruit marmalade (cherries, prunes) and spices, licorice and ginger.

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

June Deals for Juneteenth

Juneteenth is this weekend and to commemorate it we have put together some deals that will let you stretch the celebration out for the rest of the month.  3 Reds and 3 Rosé make a nice 6-pack.

2019 Henri Bourgeois Petit Bourgeouis Rosé de Pinot Noir  $12
Fresh, with a notable savory streak amid the white cherry and peach flavors. A light stony echo adds zing on the finish. Vegan   Was $15 Now $12

2018 Miraval Studio Rosé  $12
40% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 20% Tibouren
IGP Méditerranée
Notes of summer red fruits, some ripe peach and a little spice, before a really well-balanced palate with more red fruits and a mouth-watering finish.  Was $17 Now $12

2019 Gerard Fiou Terroir Silex Sancere Rosé  $20
Pinot Noir
Silex, or flint soil, is the base of the vineyards. This rosé, made from Pinot Noir, has a mineral edge that balances the red currant fruitiness and perfumed acidity. A touch of caramel confers some richness.  Was $25 Now $20

2012 Grati Chianti Reserva  $14
90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and Colorino
Nicely developed, this Chianti is interwoven with notes of cherry and black guava, then boasts muscular tannins and an ultra-long finish.  Was $20 Now $14

2018 Lauribert Visan Truffieres  $15
80% Syrah, 20% Grenache
A Syrah heave CDR Villages wine.  Packed with red fruits and notes of leather and blackcurrant. Full and smooth flavors follow through on a spicy finish.  Was $18 now $15

2016 Tenuta Rapitalá Alto  $15
Nero d’Avola
The Rapitalà Alto is a terroir-driven Nero d’Avola with a generous bouquet of ripe red fruits and vanilla, and a full, round, delicious flavor with a spicy, red-fruit finish.  Was $25 now $15

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Bordeaux Basics

Basic Red, Basic White, Basic Bordeaux that covers the bases.  Sometimes that’s basically all you need.  No need to spend a lot of bucks.

2019 Château Tertre de Launay, Entre-Deux-Mers  $12
35% Sémillion, 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sauvignon Gris, 20% Muscadelle, 5% Ungi Blanc
Nice fruity and floral nose by its scents of citrus, white flowers and menthol. On the palate the wine expresses a good freshness with a very good balance between roundness, vivacity and fruity. The finish is long and subtle with good aromatic persistence.

2020 Château Mariotte, Grand Vin de Bordeaux  $15
40% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sauvignon Gris, 20% Muscadelle, 20% Semillon
A very supple and herbal Bordeaux Blanc.

2020 Millaire, Loupiot Le Blanc  $16
80% Sauvignon Gris, 20% Sauvignon Blanc
A very different Bordeaux blanc, with the heavy accent on the Gris.  The nose reveals notes of quince, fresh berries, lily of the valley, white lilac as well as racy / saline minerality. The palate is fruity, and offers a tangy roundness with juicy quince as well as hints of pineapple and salinity. Organic.

2018 Les Hauts de Bel Air, Bordeaux  $12
70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
A good, modern Bordeaux red made only from selected grapes sourced from partner growers. Les Hauts de Bel Air Red is rich, round and very approachable.
Was $14  Now $12

2016 Sichel, Sirius Bordeaux  $13
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
Seriously, the Sirius has toasted notes and jammy fruit.  Ample-bodied  and  succulent,  it  offers  outstanding  balance  with  elegant  tannins,  abundant,  delicious  fruit  and creamily smooth extract with a lingering finish.
Was $15 Now $13

2016 Château Argadens, Bordeaux Superieur  $14
63% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
The complex and expressive bouquet is a harmonious mixture of dark red fruits aromas and very elegant oaky notes. It is a crisp and sappy wine which offers sweetness and richness on the palate.
Was $17 Now $14

2015 Château Goubau, La Source, Côtes de Bordeaux  $20
95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
The second wine of Château Goubau, the Source is spicy and fresh with aromas of red fruits, plums and spice. On the palate the wine is crunchy and fruity with black fruit flavors and a touch of spice; the finish is lively and appealing.
Biodynamic.

Shop Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

New Art

Stop by the shop and take in the new art on the walls.  We have an exciting show by Grego Rachko up for the next month.  Stop in and check it out.

Still Life After All
A collection of portraits and still lifes
by Grego Rachko
June 6th through August 7th

Artist Statement.
My name is Grego Rachko. My artistic practice focuses on drawing and oil painting, working with collage in both areas. The imagery is figurative and incorporates decorative patterns. Spirituality and psychology are my main themes, including ecology, social justice and humanism. I show regularly in group gallery settings, alternative and community spaces and my work has been collected for years by average people.
I started doing still life paintings and drawings in the early 1990’s and had been doing some intense figurative work about AIDS. Still life painting was the outlet I needed to express joy through color, composition and mood. I enjoyed the directness of them. And continue to explore their possibilities.

Shop Hours
Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Spanish Whites & Bubbles

Imagine a sunny afternoon and a cold, crisp glass of wine in your hand.   It is Seattle so you may have to really use your imagination.  But any of these whites from Spain will bring the image into focus.  They all have lower alcohol and crisp acidity.  Block out a little time this weekend for a glass or two.

Naveran Cava Brut Reserva  $16
50% Xarello, 30% Macabeo, 20% Parellada
This grower Cava that spends 18 months on its lees adding greater body and complexity. It has aromas of yeast and a supple, tasty palate, with well-integrated bubbles, good acidity and freshness.  Organic
11.5% alcohol by volume

Alta Alella Mirgin Rosé Reserva Brut Nature  $19
100% Monastrell
Light and subtle pink color. Light and fresh on the palate, recalling the aromas of red fruit. Integrated bubbles and a delicate aftertaste.  Organic, Natural
12% alcohol by volume

Castillo Perelada Pescador Blanc  $11
60% Macabeo, 20% Xarello, 20% Parellada
Ever so slightly fizzy, this wine isn’t about complexity; it’s about chuggability. Both the nose and palate are dominated by bright, zippy lemon citrus and rocky minerality, like lemon water filtered through a rock garden and spritzed by salty sea breezes.
11.5% alcohol by volume

2020 Ot De Vins El Cep  $12
100% Estate Xarello
Still Cava!! Fresh pear and honeydew melon on the fragrant nose, along with a subtle floral nuance. Silky and open-knit, showing good depth and a touch of waxiness to the ripe orchard and citrus fruit flavors. The melon note comes back on a smooth, persistent finish that features a refreshing bitter orange zest flourish.  Vegan, Organic
12.5% alcohol by volume

2020 Pazo das Bruxas Albarino  $19
Seductive, with exquisitely fine floral (lime blossom) and fruit (lemon) notes against a backdrop reminiscent of quince jam. Intense and flavorful on the palate, with delicate, subtle fruit acidity.
13% alcohol by volume
2020 Adaras Lluvia Bianco  $11
60% Verdejo, 40% Sauvignon Blanc
An organic Spanish white wine from the Almansa region using grapes from the high altitude vineyards 850m above sea level. Clean and bright with a harmonious balance of the grapes, it shows aromas of tropical fruit and subtle notes of peach and apricot. The palate brings balanced complexity and an intense, long, fresh finish.  Organic
12.5% alcohol by volume

2020 Pago del Cielo Celeste  $16
100% Verdejo
Fresh, clean, and elegant Verdejo from the slopes of the Duero River. This wine possesses notes of lemon, peach, and mango with a soft herbaceousness from a dash of Sauvignon Blanc. Aging on the lees gives it a little extra body before the lengthy finish kicks in.  Vegan
13% alcohol by volume

2016 Molino Real Mountain Blanco  $17
Moscatel de Alejandría
A unique dry white.  This wine is made from 100% Moscatel de Alejandría sourced from two steep sites on slate slopes from 500m to 1,000m elevation. Fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks and aged for 9 months. Yummy aromas of orange blossoms and citric overtones. The palate has substance yet is bone dry of good length.
13% alcohol by volume

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Lip smacking wines for a long weekend

Memorial Day weekend kicks off the Summer.  And even though it seems like Spring really hasn’t arrived we are going to run with it and see if the weather will cooperate.  Even if the sun doesn’t break through the clouds, you still can enjoy these summery wines from Italy.

Two Lighter Reds

2020 Cala Civetta, Ciliegiolo  $14
Maremma
Ciliegiolo is a traditional Tuscan blending varietal here enjoying its own small spotlight in coastal Tuscany.  Fragrant and fresh with lots of energy and flavor, the woodsy potpourri aromas lead to a soft mouthfeel of plump cherry and red plum, generous flavors that linger on the stretchy taffy-textured finish.

2019 Casale del Giglio, Cesanese  $15
A tasty indigenous grape from Lazio.  Intense aromas of marasca cherry, followed by spicy notes of white pepper, black pepper and violet. The mouthfeel is soft, with persistent tannins and pronounced acidity.

Fresh Rosé

2020 Rivera Pungirosa, Bombinao Nero Rosato  $13
Boisterous aromas of red cherry, raspberry and pink grapefruit on the nose. The broad, juicy palate is an explosion of flavor, with a pleasing skin-tannin grip and zesty acidity countering it all.

Lively Whites

2019 Fattoria Svetoni, Opera  $12
100% Vermentino
Intense and persistent bouquet with notes of peach blossom, jasmine, and ripe white fruit. Well balanced and persistent that makes it fresh and pleasant

2020 Casale del Giglo, Satrico Bianco  $15
34% Chardonnay, 33% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Trebbiano
From Lazio, this elegant blend reveals a fruity, lightly aromatic yet mineral nose, confirmed on the palate by a pleasing crispness and a lengthy finish.

You always need bubbles

Andreola, 26o Primo Prosecco DOCG  $19
Glera
Racy and elegant, this radiant sparkler offers aromas of honeysuckle, citrus and autumn orchard fruit. The dry, fruity palate is both smooth and crisp, featuring creamy white peach, ripe yellow pear and lemon zest alongside a polished perlage.

Wednesday-Sunday 12-6PM

Vieux Telegraph Side by Side

Ever want the chance to see how a top level Châteauneuf ages without putting it in your cellar and waiting for 13 years?  Well today is your day.  Invite a few close friends and pop these two  side-by-side for a memorable evening.

2019 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau  $100
65% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, Clairette, et al
If anyone tells you that Châteauneuf is just a big red that’s never elegant, then they need to taste this masterpiece of elegance. So many spicy and savory nuances on the very concentrated but almost perfectly proportioned palate. This is both joyful and serious at the very long, focused finish. Decades of aging potential! Drink or hold. — 97 pts James Suckling.

SOLD OUT –SORRY
2006 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau   $125
65% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 5% Cinsault
The 2006 Châteauneuf du Pape La Crau from the Brunier brothers is a head-turner. Possessing the ever present seaweed/nori character that I almost always find in this cuvee, it has a beautiful core of currants, crushed rocks, tapenade and licorice-like aromas and flavors.  — 94 pts Wine Advocate –Only  2 bottles available.

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

It must be Spring,

the Txakoli have returned!

Txakoli from Rexabal & Amestoi

Two of our favorite producers are back at the shop after a long absence. These fresh Basque, slightly sparkling, low alcohol wines are perfect for an afternoon treat or light fare meal.

2020 Rezabal Txakoli  $15
Hondarrabi Zuri
The Basque crisp white.  Fine bubbles with intense fresh fruit aromas of citrus and green apple and a salty finish. 11% alcohol by volume

2021 Rezabal Txakoli Rezabal Rosé  $15
Hondarrabi Belza
This vivacious rosé from the Basque region in northern Spain has lip-smacking acidity, wild strawberry, sea salt and fresh grapefruit impressions that make for a delicious thirst quencher. 10.5% alcohol by volume

2021 Amestoi Txakolina  $25
Hondarrabi Zuri
The subtle fruit, bright briny sea salt and vivacity found on the nose of Txacoli de Getaria makes way to a palate of sea-infused, mineral citrus notes followed by ginger, green apple and flowery aromas with the light fizz livening things up. The finish is fresh and as zesty as it gets.  Vegan. 11% alcohol by volume

2021 Amestoi Txakolina Rubentis     $25
Hondarrabi Zuri, Hondarrabi Beltza
Charmingly light effervescence and electric acidity, the Rubentis brings forth zesty notes of blood orange, ruby red grapefruit, crushed green herbs, and white pepper, which mingle delicately with seaspray, salty citrus, and streaks of chalky minerality.  Vegan. 11% alcohol by volume

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM