Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone, Most famously in the Loire.  Cabernet Franc is the parent grape of both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Complex reds result, with aromas of raspberry, bramble, and bell pepper.  At the moment at Madrona Wine we have six examples from the Loire, two from Friuli, and one from Washington state.

2017 Domaine les Pins, Bourgueil  $15
Rich ruby red with notes of violets and red berry fruits, this Cabernet Franc is nicely layered on the palate with brightness running throughout and just a touch of smoke mixed in with some purple fruits. Soft waves of mineral with a nice soft tannin make this a true delight to drink. Domaine les Pins has been family run for five generations.

2018 Château Minière, Bourgueil  $16
Red wine of young vines, made in stainless steel, the nose is very expressive with aromas of red fruits. On the palate the wine is very soft but well structured. Long and very aromatic finish with hints of red fruits and pepper.  Organic

2019 Arnaud Lambert, Saumur Clos Mazurique  $19
Rich cab franc showed ripe fruit flavors of berry and cassis with hint of spice. Lovely with wild boar Ragú. Balanced in the mouth, soft tannins and nice finish.
organic

2016 Domaine Nerleux, Saumur Champigny Clos des Chatains  $18
Amélie Neau is the 9th generation of Domaine de Nerleux (Black Wolves in Old French) . Her Clos des Chatains shows a beautiful nose of black fruits, blueberry, elderberry, cherry with brandy. In the mouth there are lots of flavors of kirsch, elderberry and a slight bitterness. A traditional style in a generous vintage.

2017 Couluta, Cabernet Franc  $20
Don’t let the Cabernet on the label fool you– this is Cabernet Franc from Friuli.  The fragrance grassy with a hint of raspberry and blackberry. The flavor is grassy, dry and tangy, vanillaed.  Very pleasing.

2016 Tranche, Cabernet Franc  $35
Floral and herbaceous on the nose with lifted aromas of rose petal, lilac and sage. The wine plush and dense on the palate, layered with dark, seductive flavors of blueberry, licorice and cassis. Herbaceous notes of fennel, black tea and tobacco combine with soft, fleshy tannins and a graphite-like minerality.

Maybe it was the week of smoke, or maybe it was the way yesterday’s rain seemed to flip the switch between Summer and Fall, or maybe it is 2020 with its continually astounding, endless mess of Pandemic and Politics that will have us clenching our teeth ’til November if not beyond — but somehow the end of September finds us just a bit off-kilter.   Tonight, we’re going to take home a nice bottle of wine and sip it while we listen to the rain and imagine that everything will balance itself out.  Care to join us?  It could be one of these nice bottles.

2018 Corsini, Langhe Nebbiolo  $19
From two different vineyard sites—one is within the Barolo appellation and the other is just outside the appellation limits. This wine has red fruits, pretty florals and spicy aromatics dominate the nose while the palate is well-structured with a nice fruitiness through the middle. The palate has a light hit of blood orange in addition to minerals and a forest floor note.

2014 Cune, Rioja Reserva  $22
85% Tempranillo and 15% Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo.
Floral aromas and very fruity with forest fruits intermingled with the sweet aromas of the spices from the aging in barrel during 18 months. When tasting it is a soft wine but marked by a silky tannin and fresh finish which gives us a long and complex aftertaste.

Current Hours

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 4PM

Stay tuned for our updated fall hours.

Sangiovese along with its variants Sangiovese Grosso and Prugnolo Gentile is the heart of Tuscan wine making. We continue our tour with two of its more classier parcels, then head out to the coast to Bolgheri where Cab, Merlot, and Syrah play a leading role.

Montepulciano

2016 Svetoni Rosso di Montepulciano  $14
95% Sangiovese, 5% Colorino
A good value Rosso with dry cherry notes and a tea and leather finish.  An old school Sangi.

2018 Della Seta Rosso Di Montepulciano  $16
Sangiovese
Ripe red-berry and fragrant blue-flower aromas lead the nose while the juicy savory palate offers crushed raspberry, wild cherry and baking-spice notes. It’s already accessible, with supple tannins

2018 Nottola Rosso di Montepulciano  $17
85% Prugnolo Gentile, 15% Merlot.
Aromas of resin, crushed herb and red plum lead the nose. The subdued palate seems evolved in terms of fruit richness, offering a suggestion of dried cherry and clove alongside dusty tannins.

2015 Il Conventino Vino Nobile di Montepulciano  $33
80% Sangiovese, 15% Colorino, Canaiolo, and Mammolo
A quality Nobile this wine has a refined bouquet of violet, iris and baking spices. The palate delivers a core of dark cherry and raspberry flavors with white pepper and a hint of herbs. It’s elegant, with a bright, silky palate and nice length.  Organic

2013 Riello Delle Balze Vino Nobile di Montepuciano Reserva  $20
Vino Nobile di Montepuciano Riserva aged for 24 months in oak barrels, the wine has a persistent red berry and spice notes. On the palate is sapid full and soft with a perfect amalgam of tannins and acidity. A wine with great structure and layers.

2011 Nottola Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Reserva  $29
80% Prugnolo Gentile, 20% other red varietals.
Full-bodied aromas that have hints of ripe fruit, splashes of spices, coffee and touches of violet.  Rich taste and well-balanced with a dose of elegant tannins that linger.

Montalcino

2017 Camigliano Rosso di Montalcino  $20
Sangiovese
The vintage has developed frank, clean, fragrant aromas. There’s good blue fruit to this with violets, bilberries and spices. Medium body, undertones of fresh citrus and a medium-chewy finish with a strong acidic shoulder that guarantees a long aging.  Organic

2014 Sassetti Livio Rosso di Montalcino  $21
Lots of earth and richness to this rosso with plums, mushrooms, violets and dark fruit. Full body with soft, velvety tannins and a long finish. This is masterful Rosso. From one of the top producers of Brunello.  92 pts James Suckling.  Was $30 now $21

2012 Uggiano Brunello de Montalcino  $45
Sangiovese
Charred soil, espresso, used leather and game aromas carry over to the lean, firm palate, joined by dried black cherry and licorice flavors. The wine finishes abruptly, steeped in raspy tannins.

2013 Il Poggione, Brunello di Montalcino  $45
Sangiovese
This is a profound and beautifully rendered Sangiovese that delivers bold and luscious fruit quality with black cherry and spicy plum at the start. The bouquet follows through with mild oak notes of smoke, tar and toasted nut. There is another aromatic component that includes crushed stone and dried herb or mint.   96pts Parker.  Was $60 now $45

2011 Fossacolle Brunello de Montalino  $50
Its color is intense ruby and the aromas are of mature fruits, sustained in the palate by great complexity. The tannins are noteworthy, silky and oily, persistent. A wine of optimal equilibrium, elegance and complexity, it will increase its bouquet after a moderate time in bottle.

2013 La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino  $50
Sangiovese
“The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino is elegant, balanced and bright. The pretty luminosity of the wine’s appearance helps to underline this positive impression. The bouquet is nuanced and layered with dried fruit aromas that segue to spice, tar and balsam herb. You get sassy aromas of licorice, tar and cola on the close.”—94pts Parker

2010 La Fiorita Brunello di Montalcino  $74
Sangiovese
Offers terrific aromas of strawberry, currant and medicinal herbs, revealing hints of anise, tobacco and earth, all backed by a firm, vibrant structure. Stays focused and long, with a succulent finish. Best from 2019 through 2036. — 95pts Wine Spectator

Super Tuscans

2016 Erik Banti Carato  $15
60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet, 20% Merlot
This mini Super Tuscan is a Sangiovese-based blend from the Tuscan coast that tastes like it should cost much more because of its full, smooth, flavorful palate presence and excellent balance. This is bright, clean and savory with loads of sweet berries and ripe cherries and a dusting of roasted herb

2016 Carpineto Dogajolo Red  $13
80% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
A young “Super-Tuscan”, Dogajolo was named after the Italian word doga, meaning “stave” — the narrow strips of wood used to form oak casks. The wine is fresh and forward with a fruity and fragrant bouquet, along with some long-lasting flavors of dark berry and spice.

2017 Petra Zingari Toscana  $13
25% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese, 25% Syrah, 25% Petit Verdot
This little super Tuscan made Wine Spectator’s top 100 in 2019.  A well of dark cherry, black currant and blackberry fruit makes this red sumptuous and inviting. Fresh earth, thyme and rosemary accents add depth. A mineral element emerges on the long finish. Shows fine balance overall.

2018 Baracchi O’ Lillo!  $15
25% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah
From Cortona, the O’ Lillo has a fruity nose of cherry and blackcurrant. Pleasant and light notes of black pepper, tobacco and forest floor. Easyto drink, fresh, full body and soft tannins. Fruity aftertaste. A very fresh and drinkable blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. The grapes are vinified separately in stainless steel vats to preserve all their fruity notes and drinkability. Their union gives different characteristics to the final wine.  Was $20 now $15

2016 Poggio al Tesoro Il Seggio  $29
40% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot
Bordeaux meets Bolgheri!  There is a lot of meat on the bones of the 2016 Bolgheri Rosso Il Seggio. The wine opens to spice and bramble with dark fruit nuances, surrounded by thick layers of spice, tobacco, tar and resin. This wine offers a specific and unique mouthful that is full and dense but also creamy and luscious. It makes a particularly glossy or shiny impact in terms of mouthfeel.

2017 Terre Del Marchesato Emilio Primo  $30
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Syrah
This Super Tuscan gives similar Washington blends a run for the money.  Intense ruby red color with a nice density in the glass. Red fruits, vanilla, spices and pepper notes are sensed. A nice note of roasting and powdered coffee. There is a fresh note like the fruit of chinotto and tamarind. Good acidity with a nice sapidity. Clear but velvety tannins. Excellent structure.

2016 Gaja Ca’ Marcanda Promis  $52
55% Merlot, 35% Syrah, 10% Sangiovese
Aromas of dark berries, licorice and sandalwood following through to medium to full body with firm tannins. A juicy and delicious finish.

Current Hours

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 4PM

We love Tuscan wine.  We started to make a short list of the wine we have in stock and it quickly grew into two emails. Here is Part 1 centering on Chianti.

2017 Carpineto Dogajolo Bianco  $13
40% Chardonnay, 30% Grechetto, 30% Sauvignon Blanc
Produced from estate-grown fruit from the Montepulciano estate, each varietal is vinified separately in stainless steel tanks. Medium-bodied white with pleasant citrus aromas and flavors, the Bianco is a young, fresh wine with a balanced acidity and clean, delicate finish

2019 La Spinetta Il Rosé di Casanova  $20
50% Sangiovese, 50% Prugnolo Gentile
Aromas of sliced peaches, flowers, stones and chalk very complex with full body and round yet agile and dynamic intensity, salty, linear, energetic backbone of acidity, great structure and lovely finish.

2018 Uggiano Montesperso  $10 
Sangiovese di Toscana
From Florence, the Montesperso has a pleasant and lingering bouquet recalling cherries and floral notes, predominantly rich violet. Dry, soft and balanced on the palate. A harmonious finale, leaving a very fine and lasting taste. Pair with savory first courses, roasted and stewed meats.

Chianti

2017 Antico Colle Chianti Colli Senesi  $15
Sangiovese
This Chianti exhibits notes of fresh cherries, tobacco, and violets. On the palate, it is generously well-rounded with lively acidity and firm tannins.

2014 Bello Stento Chianti Classico  $18
90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot, 5% Colorino
A classic Classico with aromas of tea, tobacco, violets and berry.

2015 Triacca La Madonnina Chianti Classico Riserva  $23
Sangiovese
A single-vineyard Riserva aged for 2 years before bottling. Soft fruit of plum & cherry with classic tea and earth notes.

2015 Castello di Meleto Vigna Casi Chianti Classico Reserva  $28
Sangiovese
“Cherry compote, floral and spicy nose. Palate reprises the nose with smooth, velvety tannins and a mineral touch on the long finish. An excellent release” 95pts Decanter

2013 Badia a Coltibuono Montebello  $60
A masterful blend of nine indigenous Tuscan varieties: Mammolo, Ciliegiolo, Pugnitello, Colorino, Sanforte, Malvasia Nera, Canaiolo, Foglia Tonda and Sangiovese. A number of these historic varieties are no longer permitted in Chianti Classico. The vines are planted in Coltibuono’s Montebello hillside vineyard, on fossil-rich clay soils. The result is a complex, harmonious wine which is the essence of Tuscany. Bright dark cherry fruit, fresh acidity and moreish fine-grained tannins make this a real treat.

1994 Felsina Fontalloro  $104
100% Sangiovese
The pinnacle of Felsina’s Sangiovese production,  the epitome of grace and elegance, muscle and sinew interlaced with sweet cherry and plum fruits with a touch of truffle and spice in the finish. OUTSTANDING WINE!!! ..

Current Hours

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon-4PM

As we wait for the smoke to clear, we might as well tell you about a some of our Austrian and German wines.  We’ll skip the Rieslings and Grüners for the moment.

2017 Weingut Rudolf May, Silvaner Trocken  $17
Made from young vines from great sites, this is a forward charmer with yellow fruit, some salty mineral flavors and a fresh finish.  Organic
12% alcohol by volume

2019 Pannonica Rosé  $11
40% Pino Noir, 35% St. Laurent, 25% Blaufränkich
From Austria, the Pannonica Rosé enchants the palate like a precious rose, caresses the spirit and seduces the connoisseur. Its bouquet is bewitching. Its discrete flavors regal. Its vibrant acidity spirited.
12.5% alcohol by volume

2016 Pannonica Red Blend  $11
40% Blaufrânkisch, 35% Zweiglet, 25% Pinot Noir
Aromas of dark berry fruits and pepper. Flavors of juicy blackberries, hints of spice and soft tannins. Notes of juicy, ripe black cherry play on the nose. The palate picks them up with ease and freshness while adding a little cinnamon spice. The body is light, and the finish is dry and smooth.
13% alcohol by volume

2015 Gryphon Crest Pinot Noir  $13
From the Baden region in Germany,  Intense black plum and cherry perfume juxtapose savory tones of smoked nuts and wet earth in this fresh and fruity yet composed wine. Plump black fruit flavors are broad and rich but framed by brisk acidity and a trace of mineral complexity. A good introduction to German Pinot.   Was $16, now $13

2016 Weingut Rudolf May Spätburgunder  $20
Pinot Noir
A light, fresh and mineral laced Pinot from Germany.  Was $30 now $20.  Organic
13% alcohol by volume

2016 Meyer-Näkel Spätburgunder  $40
Pinot Noir
A beautiful Pinot Noir from an award winning winemaker.  Light, mineral driven and elegant.
13.5% alcohol by volume

2017 Schlink Haus Beeranauslese  $16
Riesling
Harvested of individually-hand-selected overripe berries. Rare and remarkably rich, this is a wine that should be enjoyed with dessert or by itself. Fragrant, aromatic, full-bodied, with a pleasant sweetness.  375 ml

Current Hours

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon-4PM

It is things like this that make me really miss our Saturday tastings.  Who doesn’t want to try grapes such as Emir, Kangun, Öküzgözü and Areni Noir.

2017 Turasan, Emir  $15
The Emir grape only grows in one place in the world – Cappadocia, Turkey. The nose has notes of citrus peel and white flowers along with pears and fennel pollen. On the palate it comes across as balanced, bright and lively with refreshing floral and Meyer lemon.

2017 Karas, Armavir White  $15
50% Kangun, 40% Chardonnay 10% Viognier
From the Armavir Region of Armenia which has a highlands climate with hot summers and cold dry winters and volcanic soils.  Aromas of citrus, pineapple and peaches.  Elegance, balance and delicate acidity provide a smooth, lengthy finish.

2017 Diren, Öküzgözü (Oh-cooz-goe-zue)  $15
85% Öküzgözü, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Diren Winery is located in the northern part of Turkey in Anatolia. Their Oküzgözü highlights this native grape. The wine is medium-bodied wines with ripe fruit and spice flavors and plenty of lively acidity.

2017 Karas,  Armavir Rouge  $15
35% Syrah, 35% Cot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Tannat
From the Armavir Region in Armenia, this excellent blend is expressive and lively. Its fruity aromas and great acidity makes the wine elegant and easy to drink.

2018 Zorah Karasì  $32
Areni Noir
This Karasì is a tribute to the 6100 year wine tradition of Armenia.  Areni is one of the oldest grape varieties in the world.  It is aged in traditional amphorae, its name, ‘from amphorae’ in Armenian.     Lovely small-wild-berry aroma. Spicy and savory with expressive dark fruit with wildness and energy. Vibrant tannins with a long-evolved mineral on the finish.

Our Current Hours:

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 4PM

Wooden Boxes

Bargain Bordeaux continues this weekend with a pair from Château de Costis.  Not only is it good wine at a price that reminds us of 10 years ago, but for the first folks who order it, it comes in a wood box.  How old school can you get?  Both the Blanc and Rouge are $11 a bottle, but $9 a bottle if you buy a case.  Buy a case and the box can be yours! 
 
Château de Costis sits in the heart of the Entre-Deux-Mers region, in the township of Targon. The soil composition is clay and limestone, with most plantings on Southern slopes. Yes…a “hilly” property in a “low rent” district! Laurent Mazeau runs this familial property with his two children who are now in their 30’s.  It is a single, organically farmed estate.  This is not a chemical-farmed/mass-produced Bordeaux. 
 
2019 Château de Costis Blanc
100% Sauvignon Blanc
This is a zesty staple everyday wine for gulping with gusto through the Fall!.  It has a bright nose, with citrus aromas, typical for the Sauvignon Blanc varietal. Well balanced on the palate with a lot of freshness.
 
2017 Château de Costis Bordeaux Rouge
Fine, dusty tannins give this wine a warm feel. Its rich structure is matched by the ripe blackberry fruits and given a lift by acidity.
 
Still More Mystery
And if you want another type of box wine we still have some Mystery 6 packs at $52  Give your Labor Day weekend some suspense.

It is Labor Day weekend, and what better thing to do than to contemplate the value of these hard working Reds from Bordeaux.  There are worst ways to spend a holiday.  Here is some of our current stock.

2016 Château Andriet Élevé en Fût de Chêne  $12
88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon
A great entry level Bordeaux hits all the right buttons at a great price.
Was $15 now $12

2018 Château Platon Bordeaux Rouge  $13
65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec
The vineyard lies on a plateau which is one of the highest points in the Entre-deux-Mers and has an excellent exposition.  The average age of the vines is 40 years and the plant density is 5,000 per hectare.   A classic entry Bordeaux.

2016 Sichel Sirius Bordeaux  $15
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.

2016 Saint-Jacques de Siran, Bordeaux Supérieur   $15
Château Siran dates back to 1428.  At one point in time, it was owned the grandparents of the famous French painter,  Toulouse Lautrec. Their Saint-Jacques cuvée is sourced from a plot adjacent to their Margaux holdings, but outside that appellation and hence much more affordable. This wine is smooth, rich, and beautifully structured.

2016 Château Argadens Bordeaux Superieur  $17
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.

2014 Château Lagrange Lussac St. Emilion  $17
The nose is expressive, fresh, with notes of fruit and wood. The mouth is full, structured, on persistent woody notes.

2014 Château Lalande de Gravelong, Médoc  $17
50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
The vineyards of Lalande de Gravelong are made up of 30-year-old vines planted on it gravel clay soil. The wine has aromas of ripe red fruits, plum and black cherry. Deep and fresh flavors of ripe plum, fruitcake, and black cherries are highlighted by notes of cedar and spice that accent its rich texture and well-integrated tannins.

2009 Château Castegens Grand Bordeaux  $16
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
A good everyday Bordeaux with some age on it.  The Château overlooks the Dordogne valley above the village of Castillon-la-Bataille, adjacent to its prestigious neighbor Saint Emilion, only 8 km away.  Notes of ripe fruit and berries (cherries, red and black currants), supplemented with mineral nuances, shades of sweet spices (licorice, cinnamon) and subtle smoky intonations.  Well balanced, juicy, soft fruit flavor with a pleasant hint of vanilla and a long spicy finish.

2007 Chateau Carignan, Cotes De Bordeaux   $18
65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
This aged Bordeaux makes a comeback and take a final bow.  A chance to get a developed Bordeaux at a good price.  Was $21 now $18

2015 Château De Roques Puysseguin St Emilion  $19
70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc
Château de Roques remains under the ownership of the Sublett family after 200 years. This wine was released from the cellars deep beneath the Château and its already drinking beautifully – the elegance and complexity are evident, delivering rich red berry fruit integrated with the perfect amount of oak influence.

Current Hours

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 4PM

Today we are featuring our selection of wines from Greece.  Often overlooked, these wines offer great value and the surprising difference from these ancient grape varietals.   Here is what we currently stock.

2018 Douloufakis Vidiano   $16
On the Greek island of Crete, Douloufakis’s estate vineyards span over 70 acres. The Cretan variety Vidiano was neglected and almost had become extinct but now is coming back to front stage. The wine has unique tropical fruit and apricot aromas and a palate of creamy tropical fruit and minerals.  Organic

2018 Lyrarakis Legacy White  $15
75% Muscat of Spina, 25% Vidiano
Bright and lively pale yellow color. Mature aromas of grapefruit and stone fruit with a presence of rose petals. Finely balanced with good acidity and plushy finish.

2017 Thymiopoulos Apostolos Alma White  $19
70% Xinomavro, 30% Malagouzia
A very different white made from a red grape (Xinomavro) and a white one (Malagouzia).  The wine has lovely floral notes of Malagouzia but also “something different” as a result of the Xinomavro. The wine is medium bodied with medium to high acidity and a lingering finish.  Biodynamic

2018 Alexakis Assyrtiko  $18
From Crete this Assyrtiko’s bouquet displays aromas of passion fruit, mango and citrus. It has a balanced taste with crispy acidity and a characteristic minerality around the palate and a long and lasting finish.

2018 Santo Santorini  $27
Assyrtiko
The island of Santorini has a 3,500 year tradition in vine cultivation. Santos Assyritiko shows its varietal character, which embraces white flowers, citrus fruits aromas and intense minerality. It is vivid, with full, well-balanced body and distinctive long after taste.

2016 Lyrarakis Legacy Red  $15
50% Kotsifali, 30% Syrah, 20% Mandilari
Ruby red color. Delicate balance highlighted by blueberries, sweet spices and fresh herbs. Rich and soft with fruity flavors, elegant tannins and piquant aftertaste.

2017 Douloufakis Liatiko  $17
From Crete, the Liatiko is a delicious rarity. Medium-bodied and soft but with a tangy cherry edge and a spicy, dried roses and lavender streak, the wine has notes of pleasant potpourri with cinnamon sticks.  Organic

2018 Thymiopoulos Naoussa  Xinomavro
 $17
Complex, typical bouquet of red small fruits, cherry, blackberry, plum. Full mouth, rounded tannins, balanced acidity. Long and pleasant aftertaste. The vineyards are located at Trilofos and Fytia, at southern tip of the appellation of Naoussa.  Biodynamic

Current Hours:

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 4PM