Here are some new arrivals from Italy to match the coming Solstice season.

2019 Bulli, Vino Frizzante  $16
100% Ortrugo
A sparkling white wine with a light, fresh and direct character. Citrus notes, yeasty notes and flower essences intertwine on a delicate, fruity and cheerful freshness.  Notes of fresh white fruit, hints of yeasts and light floral scents.  No added sulfites.  Organic

2018 Vignedileo, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico  $12
A crisp clean white from the Mache.  Floral aromas of hawthorn and lime with a light note of anise. The sip is dry, fruity, good consistency on the palate with elegant mineral notes on the finish.
Was $16 now $12

2020 Planeta, Sicilia Rosato  $15
50% Nero d’Avola, 50% Syrah
Floral notes such as that of hibiscus and rose hip encounter hints of wild strawberries, blackberries and honeymelon. Lively and fresh in the mouth, memories of meringue, and recollects the pale flesh of peaches.

Cantina Coviolo, Lambrusco Biologico Secco  $12
Ruby red color with a purplish highlight; fresh and fruity bouquet which reminds to soft fruits and black cherry. Dry, intense, full bodied and harmonic on the palate.  Organic

2019 Feudi Branciforti Dei Bordonaro, Nero d’Avola   $10
Classic Nero with scents of ripe red fruits, plum and Mediterranean with delicate balsamic notes. Rich mouthfeel and a juicy finish.

2012 Vecchio Grion, Rosso Veneto  $25
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
And aged Super Venitian Red blend, complex aromas such as leather and coffee. In the mouth it shows a wine with a great body and the excellent structure and above all the excellent harmony.

2018 Agricola le Vieux Joseph, Clos de Cartesan  $27
Petit Rouge, Cornalin, Fumin, Nebbiolo, Barbera e Ciliegiolo
From Valle d’Aosta  the Catesan ages 24 months between steel and oak barrels.   It expresses a bouquet that smells of small berries, humus and undergrowth, juniper and licorice.The sip is full and of excellent freshness, with strong tannins and a marked mineral savouriness. Organic

2013 Patrizia Cencioni, Brunello di Montalcino  $40
100% Sangiovese
Woman winemaker from a Montalcino family.  Aged 30 months in medium-sized Slavonian oak barrels. Aromas of red berries with herbal notes. Fine red & black cherries on the mid-palate with notes of licorice, rose petals, espresso and dried herbs. Well-structured, elegant, with fine integrated tannin.

2016 Bocale, Montefalco Sagrantino  $36
Aged for 2 years in barrel and 1 in bottle before release. This pure Sagrantino has scents of blackberries, currants, with notes of spice and vanilla.  The palate is well-structured wine with smooth tannins, good length. Juicy and savory with a touch of new leather.

Current Hours

Wednesday-Sunday,12-6PM

In Summer in Seattle you have to be ready for everything — A bit of wind, a splash of rain, the occasional burst of sun.  You need a few sippable whites, a good stock of rosé, and a stash of versatile reds to prepare for the weekend.  Here’s a line up to cover the bases, or come browse the shop and find some others for yourself.

WHITES

2018 Hugel, Gentil  $14
50% Sylvaner & Pinot Blanc, 15% Gewurztraminer, 22% Pinot Gris, 7% Riesling, 6% Muscat
This wine revives an ancient Alsace tradition that wines assembled from noble grape varieties were called “Gentil”. Gentil “Hugel” allies the suave, spicy flavor of Gewurztraminer, the body of Pinot Gris, the finesse of Riesling, the grapiness of Muscat and the refreshing character of Sylvaner.

2016 Meyer-Fonné, Alsace Pinot Blanc  $12
An earthy overtone sits on the nose. The palate has a similarly earthy ring but adds gentle pear and lemon notes to a very light, dry body.  Was $18 now $12

2017 Teutonic, Jazz Odyssey  $14
A blend of Riesling, Gewurz and Chardonnay, and is a perfectly lively, fragrant and engaging glass of white wine.  There’s so much energy underneath the textured, flowery profile, and it’s got just a touch of RS that makes it so perfectly Alsatian in style.  Was $19 now $13

2019 Corte Sant’Alda, Soave  $22
80% Garganega,  15% Trebbiano di Soave, 5% Chardonnay
A fruity and savory Soave, with  mineral character, vinifed in steel tanks. On the nose it expresses itself with scents of ripe fruits, aromatic herbs, flowers and almonds. On the palate it is smooth, juicy, fresh, savory and well-balanced.  Organic

ROSÉ

2019 Clos des Lumières, Eclipse Gris Rosé  $10
100% Caladoc
Caladoc is a cross of Grenache and Malbec which makes a surprisingly nice rosé.  White fruit aromas. The palate will reveal cherry, peach with a bit of pleasant spiciness in the finish.

2019 J. Mourat, Collection Val de Loire Rosé  $13
Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Négrette, Gamay Noir,
Ripe aromas of crushed cherry and watermelon.  A big mouthful of cherry and strawberry fruit mingles with tangy citrus on the palate.  Organic

2020 Atlantique, Cabernet Franc Rosé  $13
A vibrant Loire Rosé in the classic French style. Plenty of wild strawberry and raspberry fruit on the nose. The palate is deliciously fresh, elegant and soft with crisp acidity. Generous fruit flavors, but delightfully dry

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 Domain Carrel Eugène, Savoie Rosé  $17
80% Gamay and 20% Mondeuse
Outstandingly crisp, this Savoy rosé has aromas of black cherry, strawberry, wild flowers and minerals.  And the palate is equally compelling. Bright, zesty, crisp and laced with red fruits, honeysuckle, and mellow mineral notes,

2020 Mirabeau, Classic Rosé  $19
65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
A classical Côtes de Provence rosé, offering aromas of yellow peach, pear, freesias and strawberries. Layered and neat.

REDS

Podericellario, È! Rosso  $20
Barbera
Hand-harvested into small bins. Spontaneous fermentation. Ten days maceration. Aged in 100hl cement tanks for one year. Bottled with minimal sulphur (~10ppm) and without filtering or fining.  Oh Yeah, It is a great summer red with a little chill on it.  Organic Natural. 1 LITER

2019 Statti, Lamézia Rosso $13
40% Gaglioppo, 40% Greco Nero, 20% Magliocco
From Calabria, this red blend has dark notes of black cherry, plum, cocoa, tobacco, Indian ink and spices.  The palate has an excellent balance between fruit, tannin, and acidity. Long pleasant finish of fruit and spices.

2018 Notre Dame de Laval, Côtes de Roussillon  $10
45% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 25% Syrah
Brambly raspberry and blackberry fruit with wonderful earthy/gamey/wild Carignan notes and black-olive subtleties from the Syrah.  Organic

2018 La Tannerie, Cité de Carcassonne  $12
50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc
A great value wine from the Languedoc.  powerful black fruits, cocoa and peppers, embellished with floral and animal notes.  Complex and rich, supported by a remarkable structure and a long aromatic persistence.

2017 Manousakis, Mrs.  $16
30% Romeiko, 70% Syrah
A rustic Crete Red, aromas of black berries, cranberry and some nutty character. Medium bodied wine with gentle acidity, rounded tannin’s, and lots of ripe dark berries with some vanilla notes.

2019 Darby, Purple Haze  $20
Cabernet, Malbec, Mourvèdre Cab Franc and a little Syrah
The new vintage of the Haze rolls in.  The sum is greater than its parts.  Dense and rich, with a muscular mix of dark currant, cherry, and plum with a hint of cedar.  Aged in 30% new French oak for 18 months

Our Current Hours

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

We don’t stock a wide selection of Sake at Madrona Wine, but when you pick up the sashimi grade Ahi at East Anchor we have some good selections to back you up.  And don’t forget the Choya Umeshu for desert.

Kizakura Saké 101  $16
Kizakuura Tokuri Ikkon series contains a 180ml bottle each of Junmai Daiginjo, Junmai Ginjo, and Nigori. It is a good introduction to saké styles with both traditional and non traditional ideas for sake pairing.  This would also make a fun conversational dinner party feature.

Sawano Tsuru Genshu Junmai  720ml–$15 
This Junmai is simply pressed from the rice without any water added. This makes for a more flavorful drink, and a touch higher alcohol content. The undiluted nectar washes the palate with a rich, ripe fruit taste and a pleasant dryness. Try chilled or on the rocks for a more satisfying experience.

Manotsuri Bulzai Ginjo  300ml –$16   720ml — $25
This is a Nama-chozo saké, which means it is left un-pasteurized until the bottling stage; this adds zestiness to the mouthfeel. Refreshing aromas of bananas and tropical fruit. The finish offers hints of licorice and white pepper over stone-driven mineral notes.

Soto Premium Junmai Saké  720ml –$23
The nose on this very gentle Junmai Daiginjo is an enjoyable collection of mango, ripe peach, citrus, and a touch of coconut aromas. Pretty cool packaging for this very tasty sake that is smooth, round, soft, and very clean.

Kizakura Premium Nigori Saké  300ml –$8
Expect a fresh, light flavor with a mildy sweet and sour taste from this Kizakura Nigori saké.

Choya Umeshu  500ml — $17
Japanese Plum Wine
The added natural fruit is called UME in Japanese. The organic acid of UME balances the taste of Choya.  Very refreshing.

Current Hours

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

Catching up with some of the Spanish Wines we recently have picked up — Whites, Reds, young or with some age, and a new Vermouth.

2019 Nortico, Alvarinho  $14
A young, fresh white wine with the characteristic bright acidity and aromas of peach and grapefruit. Nortico is light and delicate, lovely as a “porch-sipping wine” to drink on its own.  Also a terrific seafood wine, particularly with salty, fattier dishes like fish tacos or broiled oysters.

2014 Marques de Caceres, Antea Rioja Bianco  $15
93% Viura, 7% Malvasía
This limited edition white wine, fermented on its fine lees, in new oak barrels,  reveals an intense and complex  bouquet  of  apples  and  white  peaches  with  a  depth  of  mature  pears  and  refined  toasted  notes.

2015 Viña Século, Mencia  $11
This good little value wine comes from 25-year-old vines from Bierzo in Northwestern Spain. Medium-body, cherry red, with aromas of ripe fruit, vanilla, and spices. Ideal parried with chicken, grilled meats, or pasta.

2018 Bodega Virgen de la Sierra, Old Garnacha Vines  $11
Old bush-vines from Spain. Aromas of wood violets and baking spice. Full bodied and supple! Notes of black cherry cola, red currants, rich raspberries and almond bark. This is soft and smooth and easy drinking.

2016 Familia Monje Amestoy, Seis de Luberri Rioja  $17
Tempranillo
Six months of aging in American oak barrels give name to this wine, produced by the method of semi-carbonic maceration, typical at Rioja Alavesa. Its fresh and fruity soul wears the smoked scents given by wood, in a well-defined balance between youthfulness and experience.

2015 Poblets del Montsant       $24
75% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 10% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
From the neighboring DO to Priorat, comes this rich red wine.  Red fruits on the nose evolve to a spicier, balsamic, toasty character and great freshness. Full and rich in the mouth showing hints of oak and a delightful spiciness. The tannins are present but not overbearing. A delightful, elegant Montsant with a fresh and persistent finish.

2012 Contino, Rioja Reserva $42
90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano
Contino was founded and became the first of the new wave of single vineyard Rioja estates. Today, the winery makes some of Rioja’s finest wines, polished and comparably modern, but with a sense of balance and restraint that gives them amazing elegance and great longevity.  Aromas of wet earth, spice and dark berry follow through to a full body, round and soft tannins and a long and decadent finish. Black olive and dark fruits. This is the only wine made from Contino in this year.

La Pivón, Rojo Vermouth  $28
Made with Airén and Malvar grapes, this expression contains herbs and botanicals macerated in oak barrels with oranges from Valencia. Aromas of plum, cherrywood, dried figs, and coffee are expressive. Cinnamon-coated orange peel washes the tongue before it warmly and seductively morphs into rose petals, sassafras, and clove.

Our Current Hours

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

We just received these incredible deals on these Washington wines.  Why the big markdowns?  We didn’t ask, we just bought in.

2018 Gamache Vintners Heritage Sauvignon Blanc  $12
he Gamache family planted these vines in 1985 at Gamache Vineyard located on the White Buffs in Columbia Valley.  This wine offers notes of melon and fresh citrus with a bright and well-rounded mouthfeel from the combination of using neutral French oak and stainless steel for eight months.  Was $25 Now $12

2017 Gamache Vintners Estate Merlot  $12
This Merlot offers concentrated notes of baked dark cherries and brown sugar on the nose. Velvety mocha and hints of cinnamon greet you on the palate and leave with a rich finish. Was $22 Now $12

2014 Gamache Vintners Heritage Euclid  $20
57% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc
Red Mountain
This is an Homage to their father Euclid.  This blend offers plum, dried herbs and hints of black licorice.  Was $35 Now $20

2013 Gamache Vintners Heritage Nicolas  $20
51% Cabernet Sauvignon / 17% Cabernet Franc / 16% Malbec / 16% Merlot
A big Washington Bordeaux Style Blend  Baked cherry and raspberry preserves nicely balance the cloves, star anise and hints of tobacco found on the nose and palate.Was $36 Now $20

2014 Finn Hill Tenebrae  $15
Petit Verdot
This 100% Petit Verdot is inky dark in color, with aromas of black cherry, blackberry and blueberry with touches of violet and lilac, and wet cobble stone. The inherent power of Petit Verdot persists on the palate, with a massive delivery of black plum, cherry and chocolate flavors that’s bold and rich yet balanced, with firm tannins and great length in the finish. Was $30 now $15

And we still have these other Washington deals available:

2015 Cougar Crest, Cabernet Sauvignon  $15
This Walla Walla estate grown Cab was allowed to thoroughly ripen on the vine, flavors of red currents, violets, herbs, pepper, and spice compliment a rich mouth feel. The finish is long with tobacco, caramel, and toast aromas. Was $30 now $15

2015 Ashton Troy, Cabernet Sauvignon  $18
This Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley AVA is rich and full-bodied, with an elegant tannin structure. It opens with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and ripe plum and is followed by hints of spiciness and minerality. Was $30 now $18

2017 Basel Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon  $19
Columbia Valley AVA –The perfumy characteristics of this wine are immediately noticeable. Pretty notes of ripe blackberry, raspberry and plum bring out an expressive fruit element on the bouquet. Cigar box and warm leather intensify the aroma. This elegant Cabernet boasts sweet, red fruit in the mid-palate. Firm acid and integrated tannin build great structure in the mouthfeel. Was $39 now $19

Our Current Hours

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6PM

González Byass was created in 1835 by Manuel Maria González and remains in family hands today, now in the fifth and sixth generation.  Founded in Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia, in the heart of Sherry country.  They make a wide range of sherries, but recently we got a deal on two wines from their VORS range, enological gems aged for over 30 years in complex solera regimes.

González Byass “Del Duque” Amontillado  $20 — 375ml
100% Palomino
At least 30 years old the Del Duque is a bright pale orange tawny. Mild, unforced nose with a hint of jamon serrano (or is this auto-suggestion?) and no excessive concentration and really exciting bone-dry licorice and peanut notes. An edge of saltiness. Just the thing to get the appetite going in the middle of the festive season. Very fresh, clean finish.
Was $55 now $20

Gonzales Byass Apostoles  $20 –375 ml
87% Palomino, 13% Pedro Ximenez
This 30 year old Sherry is a blend of Palo Cortado and PX. Dark amber in color it is an interesting wine with an elegant and delicate nose with notes of nuts and concentrated fruits. On the palate this wine is complex and intense with notes of caramel and mature oak.
Was $50  Now $20

Our Current Hours

Wednesday-Sunday, Noon-6PM

Petillant Naturel, aka “Pet Nat,” is a traditional method of producing sparkling wine where the wine is bottled prior to the completion of primary fermentation without adding additional sugar and the fermentation finishes in the bottle. No disgorgement and no dosage they are cloudy and have extra yeasty flavors.  Here are two we currently have at the shop.

Moutard, Pet Mout  $14
Chardonnay
Made by our best selling Champagne maker Motard.  The Pet Mout has fine bubbles.  The aromas of citrus fruits, floral and mineral go very well with freshness and elegance in mouth in addition to an acidity which allows balance between aromatic power and softness.  Fun summer wine.
12% alcohol by volume

2020 Lunaria, Ancestrale (Pet Nat) Sparkling Brut  $20
Pinot Grigio
A “Pet-nat”from Abruzzo made with native yeast and no added sugar. Brut Nature.  The Lunaria has a beautiful cloudy pink color and aromas and favors of strawberries, ripe pear, and apple. Lees contact creates complexity and aromatic intensity.  Biodynamic
12% alcohol by volume

Our Current Hours

Wednesday-Sunday, Noon-6PM

We’ve picked up some great deals recently on Grüner Veltliner and DRY Riesling From Austria and Germany.  These wines are great with Asian food or just sipping by themselves on a sunny afternoon where the lower alcohol makes them deliciously refreshing. If you want a bit of comparison, check out the Oregon equivalents from Teutonic Wine Company or Balboa’s Washington State Grüner.

Riesling

2016 Weingut Neiss Riesling Trocken  $15
A crisp Riesling from the Phalz. dry, mineral, and chiseled. This wine is no exception and shows all the hallmarks of Riesling. From the petrol nose to a lime-zested, white flower, citrus fruit core.  12.5% alcohol by volume.  Was $19 Now $15

2018 Domãne Wachau Federspiel Terrassen Riesling  $15
Present and pronounced on the nose this wine displays stone fruit, delicate lime, and hints of ripe pear. On the palate there are flavors of juicy white peach and subtle hints of apricot. This wine is well balanced by a refined structure, very fresh, crisp and plush acidity.  12.5% alcohol by volume.  Was $23 Now $15

2016 Schloss Lieser, Riesling Estate Feinherb  $16
This medium-dry wine has aromas of fruit and slate that lead to a fresh and round palate with a salty finish. The native yeasts bring more complexity, more texture, but they don’t lose the clarity that makes the wines of the Mosel so special. Was $22 Now $16

2018 Domãne Wachau Federspiel Bruck Riesling  $18
From a very cool and stony gneiss spot in the Spitzer Graben, the Bruck Riesling shows a fine and aromatic and spicy bouquet of apricots and white blossoms mixed with truck stop nuance.   Lean and strong on the palate, with intense and spicy fruit intermixed with crystalline flinty notes. It’s lithe but intense and concentrated.  Diesel lovers delight.  12.5% alcohol by volume.  Was $30 now $18

2016 Teutonic Wine Company Willamette Valley Riesling  $20
Wonderfully drinkable Riesling – very light and bright – honeysuckle notes.  Perfect sushi wine.  12.36% alcohol by volume

Grüner Veltliner

2019 Domãne Wachau Federspiel  Terrassen Grüner Veltliner  $12
Hand-picked  from  steeply  terraced vineyards  throughout  the  Wachau  valley. The Terrassen has aromas of green apple, white pepper, hints of mango, balanced with delicate herbal notes. This Federspiel is a traditional example of Grüner Veltliner with its medium-body crisp acidity, juicy fruits and white spice on the finish.  12.5% alcohol by volume.  Was $18 Now $12

2018 Domãne Wachau Federspiel Liebenberg Gruner Veltliner  $18
Liebenberg has a rather cool influence producing wines that are elegant and have subtle minerality. This wine shows hints of Golden Delicious apple, white peach, spicy notes of pepper and subtle hints of tropical fruit on the nose. The palate is pronounced with a salty character, juicy fruit and lively acidity that complement the long-lasting powerful mouthfeel.  12.5% alcohol by volume.  Was $30 Now$18

2018 Balboa Grüner Veltliner  $15
Exotic aromas of lime blossoms, crushed rocks, citrus and pink pepper corn with spicy floral notes. Bright acidity with flavors of lemon, lime and grapefruit leading into guava and fresh peach.  12.5% alcohol by volume.  Was $25 Now $15

2019 Teutonic Wine Company Grüner Veltliner  $24
Grüner Veltliner from Oregon.  Nice and rich, with bracing acidity to break things up. It smells like apples and briny sea spray. This wine is a bit tart but has a nice grip to it.  11.28% alcohol by volume

Our Current Hours

Wednesday-Sunday, 12-PM