Just Sangi (but arguably from the best spot on earth to grow it), and then at least aged in oak for 2 years and 4 months in a bottle before release (that’s minimum, for most producers it is more).  And 2014 wasn’t a superstar vintage but good producers still made good wine.  And while we don’t put a whole lot of faith in points or reviews, here you go. Good wine at a good price.

2014 Castiglion del Bosco, Brunello di Montalcino  $36
Sangiovese
Gentle aromas of sour red cherry, mint and minerals. Then bright and steely, with a discreet, refined set of flavors similar to the aromas. Closes medium-long and clean.  Was $56 Now $36

Critical Acclaim
James Suckling  91 Pts
The oak is very assertive here and wrestles savory cedar, meat and spices into red plums. The palate has a juicy, tangy red fruit core and good upfront appeal. Drink this in the next six years.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate  91 pts
Richly aromatic from the start, the 2014 Brunello di Montalcino offers deep, dark fruit that is amply supplemented by oak spice, tobacco and cured leather. I would argue that the wood influences appear even more prominent in a vintage like 2014 that saw a delicate and subtle quality of fruit to begin with. This Brunello is lean and polished in terms of mouthfeel with medium length and depth.

2014 Caparzo, Brunello di Montalcino  $39
Sangiovese
This wine offers complex aromas of wild berry fruit. On the palate, it is dry, warm, firm, harmonious, delicate, austere and persistent.  Was $45, Now $39

Critical Acclaim
Wine Spectator 92pts
Bright, with cherry and raspberry fruit, this Brunello is elegant and charming. Accents of mineral and peppery greens—arugula, mizuna—develop on the lingering aftertaste. Best from 2021 through 2032.

James Suckling 91 pts
Aromas of dark fruit, dried leaves and hints of cedar follow through to a medium to full body, a solid core of fruit and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. A little hollow in the center palate, but delivers high quality for the vintage. Give it a year or two to fill in. Drink in 2020.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate  90pts
The 2014 Brunello di Montalcino is a ripe and nicely balanced effort from a vintage that threw its share of curveballs at producers. The wine rises above those difficulties, showing clearly delineated tones of cherry, plum and spice. It is crisp and lean in terms of mouthfeel, with the shallow depth of flavors that is definitely characteristic of the 2014 vintage.

Wednesday-Sunday,12-6PM

Officially it’s fall! Time to adjust the cellar for those cooler nights when sunny days are at a premium. Check out our choices.

Bubbles

Liebart Regnier Blancs de Blanche Brut  $40
Chardonnay
Lightly spicy and packed with citrus, this is a tensely fresh Chardonnay. The brightness adds to the minerality of this delicious wine, texture and fruit working well together.  This champagne is silky-smooth, rich and indulgent on the palate.

Pascal Ponson Rosé de Gentes Dames Brut  $48
68% Pinot Meunier, 15% ‘Vin Rouge’, 8.5% Chardonnay, 8.5% Pinot Noir
Textbook Rosé Champagne smell and taste of strawberry, wild cherry and cranberry lead the way. Orange scone, red apple and faint yellow rose petal follow behind. Great fruitiness, partly explained by the 10 G/L dosage, which falls squarely in the Brut range as it lifts the fruity flavors up.

White

2018 Trefethen Dry Riesling  $15
A quality Cali Riesling– floral aromas of orange blossom and jasmine are complemented by fresh notes of green apple and grapefruit. On the palate, this bright, yet luscious wine evolves with flavors of nectarine, white peach and honey-crisp apple. The minerality and beautiful acidity provide an invigorating finish. Normally $20 Special Price $15

2019 J. L. Chave Crozes Hermitage Blanc Sybèle  $36
60% Marsanne, 40% Rousanne
While Crozes-Hermitage and Chave are both synonymous with Syrah, Jean-Louis applies the same meticulous methods to this Marsanne/Rousanne blend for results that are graceful and lithe with mineral tension. Organic

2019 Domaine des Forges Savennieres Moulin du Gué  $24
Chenin Blanc
A rich yet dry white infused with the distinctive mineral characteristic of the Savennières wines. The creamy texture is beautifully balanced with buttery notes, hazelnut and sweet spice through to a refreshing finish.

Reds

2017 Becker Landgraf Gau-Odernheimer Spatburgunder  $25
Pinot Noir
An elegant Pinot Noir characterized by the salty mineral. Cool aromas with wild fruit and red berries. Fine, the herbaceous spice with a lot of zest and good finish. The wood is finely integrated.

2016 Romain Collet Bourgogne Rouge Les Vaux de L’Aumône  $25
Pinot Noir
Red raspberry, star anise and spiced cherries jump out immediately; after decanting a whiff of freshly-tanned leather starts to emerge. The best Burgundy have a hint of what they call sous-bois – French for “forest floor.” This Bourgogne has a delightful hint of that woodsiness and soft earth. Was $31 Now $25

2015 Fantino Rosso dei Dardi $15
Nebbiolo
The Fantino brothers decided to make the most aromatic, drinkable Langhe Rosso possible. Spiced plums backed by red cherry, licorice, salami, charcuterie. Juicy, spiced and savory, meaty, plumy, a little tannic burr. Was $20 now $15

2017 Château. L’Ermitage Costieres de Niems $12
40% Mourvedre, 40% Syrah, 20% Grencahe
It is a hearty red with ripe tannins and plenty of red fruit flavors matched with a gentle savory edge.

2019 Domaine Alexandre Cady Anjou Rouge  $15
Cabernet Franc
Here is a satisfying Loire red designed for the summer. It has bright aromas recalling freshly picked, ripe red fruits. This is a juicy, supple wine, which could be enjoyed gently chilled.  Organic. Was $18 now $15

2015 Château Macalan Bordeaux Superieur  $20
60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine has weight and richness, shown in the dense texture that has now softened into the juicy blackberry fruits. The blend with a good percentage of Cabernet Franc gives a perfumed, smoky edge to this attractive wine.

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

It is supposed to dump rain this weekend.  Nothing to do but stay inside sipping a good bottle of wine.  But first grab that umbrella and dash to the shop for one of these.  They will chase the clouds away.

2019 Lucien Reymond, Sancerre  $30
Sauvignon Blanc
Quality Sancerre with bright citrus fruit with delightful earthy and herbal tones.  Minerals abound.  Organic

2017 Grand Veneur, Chateauneuf du Pape, Le Miociene  $57
65% Grenache Noir, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre.
A classic blend from a mix of soil types, aged in a mix of older barrels and concrete tanks. It’s ripe and plummy, with notes of black cherries and licorice, yet there’s also a sense of freshness. Full-bodied and velvety in texture, it’s already approachable but has the substance to age through 2030.  Organic

2014 Lalande Borie, Saint Julien  $53
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc.
The wine is dense with great fruit and accompanying structure. With its dark ripe berry fruits and full tannins, the wine is powerful although with great elegance. It is stylish, full of complexity ready to age well.

2019 Foundation Cellars, the Silence  $38
Rockgarden Vineyard Syrah
This wine is unmistakably from the Rocks District. The stem influence is upfront, with notes of grilled asparagus, Stargazer lily, fresh parsley and flowers in front of black and green olives. The palate brings an abundance of savory flavors, with gravel notes on the finish.

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

How come everything starts changing around the equinox?  Best stock up on some wine for both Sun and Showers.  Be prepared.

2019 Masseria Frattasi, Taburno  $18
Falangina
Aromas of ripe pear, floral notes of jasmine and Mountain herbs. Full and juicy on the palate, with fresh notes of exotic fruit and honey.  The finish is long and persistence.

2020 Monteseondo, Corvina Rosso Frizzante  $15
This more effervescent alternative to Txakoli is a crowd pleaser.  After a nose of dusty raspberry and pencil lead, the palate is straightforward and fruity, followed by a pleasant, balanced finish. Organic

2019 Scagliola, Langhe Nebbiolo Racconti  $18
A smooth and ready young Nebbiolo with enough underlying tannins and structure to take seriously.

2019 Domaine Dozon, Chinon Clos du Saut Au Loup  $23
Cabernet Franc
Traditional notes of plum skin, raspberries and capsicum abound. Manageable tannins and herbal notes underscore a direct fruitiness.

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

We have had a beautiful start to September, but there is just the start of a bit of chill in the air that makes us reach for fuller richer wines than we did a month ago.  Here are a few new ones to the shop to help the transition.

Whites

2019 Domaine Jean Aubron, Sauvignon Blanc Vieilles Vignes  $14
A central glowing orb of green citrus fruit fully illuminates this wine’s intricate crystalline structure,  spritely and mineral.  Organic

2019 Cantina del Vermintino, Nord Est White   $14
Vermintino
This wine comes from the hills of Northern Sardinia around the town on Monti. The vines are planted close together at and elevation of between 300 and 450m and surrounded by dry stone walls typical of the area. This is a light, refreshing and dry wine. Straw in color with flavors of lemon and almond.

2019 Courtault Michelet, Petit Chablis  $25
Chardonnay
Crisp and pure on the palate, with white flowers, fresh, lime and citrus aromas. Pleasant mouthfeel, supple, crisp, fruity flavors.

2019 Marcel Deiss, Alsace Complantation  $29
This is a co-fermented field blend of Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Muscat à petits grains, Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner, Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Beurot, Muscat Blanc, Rose d’Alsace, Traminer, plus others.  Bright elderflower, mandarin, fragrant pear is stenciled with tangerine pith on a long palate, finishing with a gentle swell of warmth.  Lovely harmony here.  Biodynamic

Rosé

2020 Domaine Turenne, Camille Provence Rosé  $16
50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 10% Syrah
Camille Cuvee is a fine and elegant gastronomic rosé wine with an aromatic pallet evolving on aromas of peach. The attack is lively but balanced, finale rather long and fruity.  Organic

2019 Clos Cibonne, Tibouren Provence Rosé  $40
90% Tibouren, 10% Grenache
The vineyard’s oldest vines give its luminous color to this rose. Wide range of quince, grilled walnut and spicy aromas. Full-bodied, persistent and fresh on the palate.

Reds

2019 Podere la Berta, Sangiovese di Romagna,  $15
A great straight forward Sangiovesse from Felsina’s property in Emilia-Romagna.  Aromas of fresh-picked cherry and red berry, sweet briar and dried plum. The palate is crisp, enfolding, and energy-driven, with glossy, fragrant tannins and a long- lingering finish.

2019 Duesigneur, La Goutte du Seigneur  $15
50% Grenache, 50% Syrah
From 30 year old vines this CDR has aromas of wild strawberries, a thirst-quenching palate, and a superbly exuberant finish structured by silky tannins.  Organic

2018 Château Croix d’Allons, Bandol Rouge  $35
90% Mourvédre, 10% Grenache
This is certainly a wine that unravels in the glass, the initial nose shows bold cassis, blackberry and fresh herb along with notes of tobacco, leather, vanillin, and baking spice. As it unwinds this wine journeys into rustic cherry skin, cured meats, and gamey characters balanced out the rich, bold fruit. The fresh, fine tannins round out the pronounced flavors without making the wine feel heavy.

2018 J.L. Chave, Saint Joseph Offerus  $40
Syrah
Deeply scented aromas of dark fruit preserves, peony and olive paste, along with a spicy nuance that builds in the glass. Nicely concentrated and alluringly sweet, offering ripe blackberry, bitter cherry, floral and spice cake flavors that show fine delineation courtesy of a spine of juicy acidity. Shows excellent clarity and minerally thrust on the chewy, persistent finish, which features building tannins and lingering cherry liqueur and floral notes.

2018 Bodegas Renacer, Punto Final Malbec Reserva  $20
The grapes for the Punto Final Reserva Malbec are sourced primarily from the Los Patos Vineyard in Perdriel, where the average age of the vines is 80 years. A serious Malbec with aromas of wild berries such as raspberry, strawberry and blueberry mingle with earthy and spicy notes. In the mouth, the wine is juicy and fruity, with round tannins, balanced acidity and a long finish.

2014 Constantia Glen, Three  $31
67% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon
A high end South African Red.  Debonair, polished styling achieved without sacrificing ripeness. Red fruit with a mocha nuance, well-tailored into a plush dry tannin structure. Balanced & so tempting now, but greater rewards with time.
Was $50 now $31

2017 Fèlsina, Fontalloro  $66
Sangiovese
The 2017 Fontalloro is exquisite. It is bright and vibrant, with Sangiovese character luscious and dark with thick layers of dark fruit, plum, cherry, leather and tilled earth. It is also incredibly delicious now, but clearly has the energy to age for many years.

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Stay local for Labor Day.  Here are some Northwest wines that have recently hit our shelves with enough variety for everyone.

2020 Rock Meadow Cellars, Viognier $13
From Lake Chelan a very affordable Washington white the showcases a smooth rich body with notes of peach and pear and a touch of spice.

2018 Sparkman, Apparition Roussanne  $13
Apparition offers a beautiful bouquet of white currants, white flowers, honeysuckle, and toasted brioche that opens up beautifully with time in the glass. It has a honeyed pineapple lushness, and at the same time, clean, vibrant zest and brine notes, while staying perfectly balanced on the palate.

2020 Patricia Green, Sauvignon Blanc  $27
Willamette Sancerre.  There are less than 30 acres of Sauvignon Blanc planted in the Willamette Valley and Patricia Green works with three sites including their estate to craft this cuvee. The nose shows lychee and tropical fruits with a hit of melon and a bit of citrus. The palate is light with good acidity and a flavor set of orange blossom, lychee and melon.

2019 Roots, Autre Monde Un Syrah $19
This Columbia Gorge Syrah from Roots has enough earth, mineral notes to make it closer to Rocks District than Red Mountain, and the lack of new wood makes it a tad ,dare we say, European.

Two Mountains, Hidden Horse Red No.18  $14
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
More elegance than muscle, this good value Washington Red opens with rich aromas of dark fruits, tobacco and white pepper followed by flavors of blackberry, dark cherry and vanilla, framed in toasty oak.

2017 Fall Line, Cirque  $26
84% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon
Cirque Red Wine is cut from the same cloth and has a complex, Bordeaux-like bouquet of cedary herbs, graphite, crushed flowers, and cassis and black raspberry fruit.  Beautifully complex, nuanced, and layered, it’s not massive by any means yet is seamless, balanced, and just glides over the palate.

2017 Animale, Cabernet Franc Reserve  $25
Grown at a cool-climate vineyard site, these grapes developed complex flavors as they struggled to ripen during the 2017 growing season. Fragrant mix of blueberries and plum with piquant roasted red peppers. Flavors of black currant, plum, pomegranate, citrus peel, sassafras and savory spice. Firm acidity and fruit tannins provide balance.

2017 Animale, Petit Sirah Reserve  $25
Aged in neutral oak barrels, this Petit is packed with aromas or fresh blackberries, with hints of pencil, Frangelico, eucalyptus, celery, fresh-cut grass, and fresh-ground white peppercorns. Flavors of blackberry syrup, fruit leather, and lemon zest, with hints of cranberry, and black tea.

2018 Di Stefano, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon  $15
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot
Super smooth and polished, this wine is less about the rusticity of previous vintages, and more about immediate drinkability.  Crushed blackberries, Bing cherry and vanilla oak notes flow on a soft palate of ripe, fine tannins that finish smooth.  Was $29 now $15

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

One of our suppliers is cleaning house on their 2018 rosés and we went for a dip.  Dip in yourself and snatch up some deals.

Crisp and Dry
2018 Famille Bourgeous, Les Jeunes Vignes Sancere Rosé  $18
Pinot Noir
This refreshing, very fruity rosé will seduce you with its bouquet of ripe red fruits. It’s easy to drink, fresh and particularly well-balanced in structure and aromas. Drinking great now.
Was $22 Now $18

2018 Dovecote, Rosé de France  $9
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
A crisp rosé from Gascony.  With some heavy red grapes pressed specifically for Rosé aromas of white flowers and strawberries. Flavors of citrus, wild berries, and cranberries.
Was $16 now $9

2018 Domaine Pélaquié Côtes du Rhone Rosé  $10
70% Grenache, 30% Cinsault
This crisp Rhone Rosé goes on sale to get it out the door. Lighter and more ephemeral than the Tavel.
Was $14 Now $10

2018 Clos des Luminieres L’Eclat Cotes du Rhone Rosé  $16 — 1.5 liters
40% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
Aromas of of strawberries, a balanced mouth feel. Red fruit and cherries complemented with notes of citrus fruits, spices, and a minerally finish. The different aromas of each grape variety increases the complexity.
Was $20 Now $16

Two Anjou
Rosé from the Anjou region is traditionally lower alcohol, off dry, slightly sweet and very fruity.  They are a good match for spicy food or simple cheese plate.

2018 Château de Brossay Cabernet d’Anjou Rosé  $9
100% Cabernet Franc
An off dry (fruity) Rosé from Anjou.  Notes of red berries (strawberry, redcurrant), rose, English candy, with a fresh finish of mint and white pepper.  Round and smooth, with a liveliness that compensates for the soft sensation and refreshes the finish.  11% alcohol by volume
Was $12 Now $9

2018 Tête de Linotte Rosé d’Anjou  $10
Gamay & Grolleau
This is a tender and fruity wine with peach aromas dominating. Very good balance between acidity and sweetness. Think nectarine.  Organic.  11.5% alcohol by volume
Was $14 Now $10

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Ever wonder what the wines in our wine club are like?  Here are a few wines from our August Madrona Wines Monthly club that are still in stock.  No need to be in the club to get these great bottles.

BUBBLES
Compton Family Wines Sea 02 Sparking White  $15
Made from the finest Willamette Valley grapes, the Sparkling White from SEA O2. This white blend that includes Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer is fruity and floral with a just touch of sweetness.

WHITES
2018 Sparkman Apparition  $13
Roussanne
Apparition offers a beautiful bouquet of white currants, white flowers, honeysuckle, and toasted brioche that opens up beautifully with time in the glass. It has a honeyed pineapple lushness, and at the same time, clean, vibrant zest and brine notes, while staying perfectly balanced on the palate.

2020 Domaine Jean Vullien L’Alpine  $14
Jacqère
Though the Vulliens have been making wine for over 40 years, the family is perhaps best known as a leader in the vine nursery business, providing young vines to growers throughout France. Their 100% Jacquère is grown on soils of dark Jurassic limestone and black marl with a pebbly topsoil layer of scree. The wine is light, mineral and brightly acidic with notes of alpine flowers and citrus.

2018 Isaac Cantalapiedra Cantayano  $20
Verdejo
Cantayano shows stone fruit, apple, and herbaceous notes, while the palate is surprising dense, with a beautiful seam of acidity. A lovely and affordable Spanish white wine that shows the potential of Verdejo.

PINK
2020 L’ermite d’Auzan Nimes Rosé  $14
50% Cinsault, 50% Grenache
Beautiful  explosion of fruit in the nose and on the palate. This wine is situated between a Tavel and a Côte de Provence. Bio-dynamic.

2020 Paul Blisson Costières de Nimes Rosé  $13
75% Syrah, 25% Grenache
A round and supple wine with notes of red and yellow fruits and mellow spices. The wine is delicately layered with stone fruits, like peach and apricot, subtle herbs and a long, satisfying finish.

REDS
2017 Hazaña Viñas Viejas Rioja  $12
85% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano
Coming from 50-70 year-old vines , Vinas Viejas gives up a clean, classic bouquet of blackberries, graphite, violets, and cedary herbs. With medium-bodied richness, notable elegance, and ripe tannins.  Organic
Was $15 Now $12

2016 Château Bertin Montagne Saint-Emilion  $15
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
The wine is distinguished by its delicate balance – the fruity aromas are flattering, ripe and mature. The volume and the roundness in one’s mouth are impressive, the tannins are smooth and the final result is its delicacy.

2019 Famille Lancon La Solitude Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge  $13
50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Mouvedre
A rich layered Rhone wine with a nose of garrigue and red fruits. The palate is full and balanced with a nice sweetness, with aromas of cocoa and morello cherry, with a long and suave liquoriced finish. Organic

2017 Pasqua Passimento  $15
This wine is a blend of Corvina and Croatina grapes with a percentage of Merlot, which adds to its velvety softness. Beautiful deep ruby red in color with an intense and lingering nose and striking notes of red fruits and spicy overtones. Well balanced and plush with velvety tannins.

2018 Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico  $23
Sangiovese
The 2018 Chianti Classico is an absolutely gorgeous wine. A burst of sweet red cherry fruit, raspberry, rose petal, mint and blood orange races out of the glass. Exuberant and boisterous, with tremendous fruit purity, the 2018 is a pure pleasure to taste.”

2018 Domaine Delarche Bourgogne Rouge La Garenne  $27
Pinot Noir
“Garenne” comes from old vines (50+ years) planted on the upper slopes, or hautes côtes, above Pernand-Vergelesses. Brambly red cherry fruit and a light touch of spice characterize this wonderfully bright, silky, tangy Pinot Noir. Non-Filtered.

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Not the movie with Burt Reynolds from 1972, we’re talking 2020 here and it is the hills of Provence not Georgia.  But two new Bandols got dropped off at the shop on Friday.  The wines are packed with tension and Big Screen character.  Try pouring them side by side and go back and forth to see which is better.  There are worse ways to spend a feature length of entertainment on a hot August weekend.

2020 Moulin de La Roque, Les Hauts du Vallon Bandol Rosé  $24
52% Mourvèdre, 22% Grenache, 26% Cinsault
Les Hauts du Vallon shows bursting aromas filled with powerful, exotic fruits and spices. The taste is wide, long, rich, delicate and tender; fruity with good persistence.

2020 Croix d’Allons, Bandol Rosé  $23
60% Mourvèdre, 20% Cinsault, 20% Grenache
Not your subtle Provencale Rosé. The floral aromas give way to tropical fruits such as pineapple along with rose water. The Mourvèdre imparts a fullness of flavor with hints of sweet fruit as well as breadth of palate. It’s full bodied and structured with Mediterranean herbs, ripe dark berries, and a touch of garrigue on the finish. The elegant yet pronounced tannins give this wine an exceptional finish.  Organic

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM