In October 2011 we first opened the doors at Madrona Wine Merchants. Thirteen years later we are still at it — looking for wines that taste better than their cost and sharing them with all of you. This weekend we have a diverse selection of wines to taste. but they all drink way above their dollars.

Friday

2022 Raimund Prüm Solitär Riesling Trocken (Dry) $15
100% Riesling
Mosel, Germany
Struck by tangs of lime and lemon, this dry white offers mouthwatering pear and apple flavors with a stony, mineral finish. And a mere 11.5% alcohol by volume.

Saturday

2021 Tahbilk Viognier $14
100% Viognier
Australia
A rich Auzzie white. Rose petal, ginger spice and apricot aromas. The palate is all about ripe stone fruits, bright citrus notes, more spice, and acidity to wrap it all up.

2020 Château La Gabarre Bordeaux Supérieur $17
45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
This very fresh and fruity Bordeaux red offers violet notes, candied red

berry aromas, fresh tannins and a juicy taste of blackcurrant and blackberries.

Sunday

2021 Terra Rossa Rosso di Montalcino $15
100% Sangiovese
A good deal Tuscan Red. Raspberries, sour cherries and some sweet spices notes on the nose. Fresh, medium bodied, soft tannins.

Shake off those overnight showers and come try some rich wines from our favorite places.

Friday — Loire

2020 La Varenne, Chinon Tradition $20
Cabernet Franc
Fresh, juicy and delightful palate, with a rich texture and length already revealing the soft leather, black fruits and raciness of the tannins.

Was $25 Now $20

Saturday– Southern Italy

2022 Nord Est, Vermentino Di Sardegna $15
100% Vermentino
Sardinia,
With a bouquet of citrus, bitter almond, and florals, and a palate featuring salinity, citrus, and jasmine, this Vermentino DOC offers unbeatable value. Clean, crisp, and fresh from the island of Sardinia.

2013 Borgo di Colloredo, Aglianico $24
100% Aglianico
Molise
Fruity notes of blackberry and ripe plum, spices, chocolate and roasted coffee. Soft, velvety, round and sweetly tannic with notes of smoked wood and vanilla.

Sunday — Portugal

2018 Foral Dévora, Alentejo Tinto $13
Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Aragone
The bouquet offers scents of red and black cherries, red berries, rose petals, and a hint of creamy vanilla. Powerful and fruit-driven on the palate, juicy notes of blackberries, blackcurrants, loganberries and cherries burst forth. These are followed by subtler, darker notes of stewed plums, toasted almonds, earthy spices and vanilla and some dark brooding tannins.

Was $23, Now $13

The temperature has dropped to a pleasant Autumn crispness. It is time to break out the big reds to sip as we savor the earlier sunsets. Stop by the shop and savor the deals we come up with.

Madeira in a Box — All Weekend!

We picked up a few boxes of domestic Madeira and we’ll be pouring it for you to taste all weekend.

Opici Vineyards, Madeira 3 Liter Box $15
USA
Opici Madeira is a full, rich wine with an amber color and a hearty, ripe flavor. It is perfectly suited to creating demi-glace sauces and adds a burst of flavor to brown sauces, pork, and poultry gravy. But it also makes a tasting sipping wine while you cook or clean up the dishes. Keep it in the fridge and it will last quite a while. Was $30 Now $15

Friday —Argentinean lipsmaker

2022 Andeluna, 1300 Malbec $16
A high altitude Malbec with with hints of violets, mint, graphite and white pepper. Full-bodied and structured but smooth and supple, with ripe, silky tannins, lots of dark fruit and toasty nuance.

Saturday — Australian richness

2018 Tahbilk, GSM $16
37% Grenache, 33% Shiraz, 30% Mourvedre
Victoria, Australia
This Estate release presents lifted gamey and leathery aromatics that lead to a flavorsome palate of dark plum and berry fruits with licorice and spice notes.

Was $25 Now $16

2017 Tahbilk, Old Vine Cabernet / Shiraz $18
Victoria, Australia
Rustic charm in spades. An old school red done right. Scents of dark berries and ripe plums, cassis, Aussie bush and old campfire. Lovely stuff. The palate is rich and think, shaped with grippy, dusty tannins and finishes very long and palate staining, with more lingering, dusty spice.

Was $25 Now $18

Sunday — Delicious Duero

2020 Rippa Dorii, Ribera del Duero Crianza $18
100% Tempranillo
This complex wine boasts aromas of bramble fruit, vanilla, nutmeg and sweet spice. Its rich palate offers notes of blueberry and blackberry, complemented by ripe tannins and a long finish.

Was $25 Now $18

Sunday is the Equinox. Here at the wine chop we are savoring the fall days and adjusting to the earlier sunsets. We’ll be tasting a few wines to help us keep on an even keel. Come toast the new season.

Friday – time to try the new vintage

2022 Chateau Sainte Eulalie, Plaisir d’ Eulalie Minervois $18
Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan
Generous, ripe and full-flavored Languedoc red, ripe and fruity, round and plummy in a vintage where very low yields concentrated the wine.
Organic

Saturday – West Coast duo

2021 Kivelstadt, Wondering Pet Nat Rosé $15
Pinot Noir
From an innovative winery in Mendocino, the Wondering Pet Nat is completely delicious. Great bubble and great mouthfeel will kick off any celebration. Cranberry, strawberry, yeasty notes from the extended time on the lees. Palate has robust effervescence, but the acidity and minerality pull through on the finish.
Organic

2017 Brave Cellars, Road Not Taken Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $22
A classic Oregon pinot with bright red cherry, cranberry, underbrush, and allspice notes. Notes of raspberry and pomegranate and herbs with more touches of baking spices linger on the palate and through the finish.

Sunday – different and delicious

2023 Lone Birch, Yakima Valley Riesling $13
Lone Birch Riesling has abundant tropical aromatics. Fresh mandarin, apricot preserve, white peach, and candied pineapple aromas lead to a palate marked by bright acidity and flavors of peach, lemon curd, and a hint of honey, all enveloped in a floral bouquet.

It’s Friday the 13^th. But don’t be nervious. Throw a pinch of salt over your shoulder, Stay away from the black cats and stroll on down to the wine shop and see what we have open. Watch out for those cracks in the sidewalk. Hop right over them. Your mother will thank you.

Here’s what we got going this weekend:

Friday

2023 Mokoroa,Getariako Txakolina $16
85% Hondarrabi Zuri, 15% Chardonnay
This Txakoli wine boasts high acidity, salinity, and a minerality that gives it its refreshingly clean taste. White peach, green apple, citrus and white flowers lead to the fresh, tangy essence of the Basque coast.

Saturday

2022 Reverdy & Fils, ‘Charme de Loire’ Sauvignon Blanc $14
100% Sauvignon Blanc
The entry Sauv Blanc from a solid Sancerre producer. This wine offers a complex and elegant nose of white flowers and boxwood. The attack is fruity, the mouth balanced and fresh. A wine with elegance and Charme.

2015 Chateau Haut-Dina, Cotes de Castillon $16
50% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Franc.
Haut-Dina is a small, family-run property located in the Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux on the right bank of the Gironde river. The 2015 has plenty of firm tannins, it also has fine, ripe fruit. Rich blackberry flavors and smoky aromas dominate.

Sunday

2022 Château d’Or et de Gueules, Les Cimels $18
60% Syrah, 30% Carignan, 10% Grenache
Costières de Nîmes
A full and supple Southern French country wine with lots of juicy dark fruit, spicy black pepper and herbs de Provence.

Congratulations! You got the kids back to school. Whether it is Kindergarten, Jr. High or Grad School, you deserve a glass of wine. Time to enjoy a little reclaimed peace and quiet. Stop by the shop and kickback. Here’s what we are sampling.

Friday – Not Napa

2022 Novellum Chardonnay $16
Chardonnay from Roussillon, where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean just a stone’s throw from the beach. The Novellum is quite an aromatic chardonnay with discerning notes of sliced green apples, melon and lemon zest. Round and textured, with simple apple pith and nectarines in the pristine yet flavorful palate. Lots of fruit in the round, medium- to full-bodied palate.

Saturday – from light to rustic

2018 Cantina Colosi, ecolosi $12
Nero d’Avola
Made with organically farmed Nero d’Avola, this vegan friendly, easygoing red has inviting aromas of black-skinned berry, botanical herb and baking spice. Soft, savory and enjoyable, the palate offers ripe blackberry, fleshy black cherry and cinnamon framed in pliant tannins.
Organic

2016 Colpetrone, Montefalco Rosso $16
70% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, 15% Sagrantino
Peppery herbs and dusty florals, plus crushed red wild berries and a hint of dusty earth. On the palate, silky textures envelop all that they touch in ripe cherry fruit and sweet spices, made juicy through vibrant acidity and minerals, as round tannins slowly settle in.

Sunday – cheap and cheerful

2020 Calvet, Calvet Prestige Bordeaux $10
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Bordeaux
Full and fruity, notes of vanilla with a long smooth aftertaste. Fleshy, well-balanced, with a supple and delicate flavor.

It’s a big 3 day weekend (or 4 if you can stretch it). You’re going to need wine. Stop by the shop. We have a full line up of easy drinking all weekend wines we’ll be tasting.

Friday —It’s Friday It’s French

2020 Santa Giulietta, Vin de Corse Rouge $15
40% Niellucciu,35% Grenache, 25% Syrah
This Corsican red show notes of red fruits and spices on the nose. Round and smooth palate, dominated by flavors of ripe fruits. Soft and elegant finish.

2016 Chateau Pierbone, Haut Medoc $12
67% Cab Sauv, 27% Merlot, 4% Cab Franc, 2%, Petit Verdot
A easy drinking Bordeaux with some age on it Its fruity and refreshing bouquet gradually unfolds, revealing intense aromas of prune, raspberry, and cinnamon.

Not a power house but then it doesn’t pretend to be one either.

Saturday — Get some Grillo for the grill

2021 Tenuta Rapitala, Viviri Grillo $16
Sicilia
From vineyards sitting between 900 and 1300 feet, high on the slopes of the Rapitalà estate, this tangy white has subtle aromas of lychee, tropical fruit and hazelnut. On the straightforward palate, fresh acidity accompanies suggestions of ripe yellow apple and bitter almond before an almost salty close.

2020 Fattoria Svetoni, Chianti Colli Senesi $17
Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino
Ruby red colour with violet hues. Dry and lasting bouquet with hints of cherry and red berries. Well balanced and easy drinking.

Sunday — Have we got a deal for you

2019 Irvine & Roberts, Estate Pinot Noir $15
Ashland, Oregon
The aromas are brooding, with notes of spice, dried herb and red fruit. The red-plum and raspberry flavors are considerably more giving, medium bodied and gliding on the finish. It’s all about grace and feel.

Was $40 Now$15

Is this August? This morning feels like we took a wrong turn at SeaFair and ended up in October. No worries, August will be back soon. In the mean time we’ll be sipping on some delicious reds from Spain, France and Italy. Here’s the weekend tasting lineup:

Friday — the bunny is back

2021 Tomàs Cusiné, Llebre $14
85% Tempranillo, 5% Garnatxa, 5% Cariñena, 5% Syrah
Costers del Segre
Clean vivid nose with red fruit compote tones, balsamic, spices, vanilla, white pepper, clove and oak tones well integrated. Velvety, fresh and elegant in the mouth with nice and gentle tannins and liquorice hints. Red fruit and spiced tones on the finish.

Was $18, Now $14

Saturday–illicit encounters

2023 Domaine de la Chanteleuserie, Bourgueil Rosé $16
100% Cabernet Franc
Loire
Creamy, round, and zesty, it bursts with red berries and blood orange

2023 Olivier Coste, Illégal $18
100% Mourvèdre
Languedoc
This wine comes from a small appellation in Languedoc where 100% mourvèdre is not allowed. Raspberry and blackberry fruit and peppery spice brushing up against touches of mint, beeswax and balsam polish; finishing with refreshing brightness without any oak getting in the way.

Sunday– time to tango

2020 Guido Vada, Tanguera Barbera d’ Asti $18
Guido and his sister Serena run this family farm (established in 1850 by Lorenzo Vada) on the border of Langhe and Monferrato in the heart of Asti. The wine has red berry, underbrush and ground clove aromas. The palate offers cassis, orange zest and white pepper alongside smooth tannins.

It’s the Madrona Yard Sale day on Saturday. So spend the morning rummaging through your neighbor’s cast offs for those special finds, then stop by the shop and taste the finds that we have come across in the past few weeks. Here’s what we have lined up for the weekend.

Friday

2022 Château de Lancyre, Lac des Figuiers Rosé $14
50% Syrah – 40% Grenache – 10% Cinsault
Languedoc
Aromas of exotic fruit like pineapple and citrus. Mango and lemon are reflected in the palate, with a long and slightly spicy finish.

Was $20 Now $14

Saturday

2016 Clos de la Briderie, Touraine-Mesland Rouge Vieilles Vignes $15
40% Malbec, 30% Gamay, 30% Cab Franc.
Loire
This biodynamic wine comes from a variety of clayey limestone and flint. The vines are 20 to 40 years old. The wine displays minerality on the palate with red fruits and a crisp acidity. Chill it down while summer lasts. Biodynamic

Was $20, Now $15

2015 Vignerons De Tautavel, Rocher Des Buis, Maury Sec Vin Rouge $15
75% Grenache, 25% Syrah
A full bodied red from the south of France. The wine opens with a burst of fruit swimming in brandy and meaty notes. The palate is then more rounded and melted, carried by fine tannins and a fruity finish.

Was $28 Now $15

Sunday

2021 Felline, Salento Fiano $12
100% Fiano
Puglia
Fiano is often compared to unoaked Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. This one has aromas of pastries, butter cookies and very ripe apricots with undertones of orange zest and a floral aftertaste. The palate, initially full and creamy textured with yellow fruit notes, changes in the mouth, becoming slightly bitter on the finish.

It’s a toasty weekend in August with skies tinted yellow from passing wildfire smoke. What’s a dog to do but find a cold floor to lie on and lap up some delicious wines. We’ll have a few open this weekend to help Rover out.

Friday Washington Chard that we like!

2022 Sparkman Cellars, Kindred Chardonnay $22
Columbia Valley
The Kindred is a lean, crisp, clean Chardonnay that’s heavy on the acidity and light on the oak. The wine’s Meyer lemon flavor is offset by the twang of grapefruit.

Saturday is Spain

2022 Juan Gil, Jumilla Blanco $14
Moscatel (aka Muscat)
Jumilla
Fresh melon, peach and kiwi aromas are complemented by jasmine and white pepper. The juicy, tightly wound pit fruit and honeydew flavors comes off almost weightless on the long, intensely spicy finish.

2021 Bodegas Exopto, Bozeto de Exopto Rioja $22
60% Garnacha, 35% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano
Spicy cherry and black raspberry on the nose, with brisk mineral and floral overtones. Juicy and focused, offering sweet raspberry and blackberry flavors and snappy acidity. Impresses with precision rather than power, and finishes with good persistence.

Sunday — More Malbec

2022 Pampa, Malbec Reserve $15
Mendoza, Argentina
A herbaceous character can be perceived in the nose and palate of this easy-going Malbec. It features light acidity and mild tannins, supporting black-fruit flavors, black pepper and grassy notes that melt away in the finish.