It is supposed to be a bit warmer this weekend here in Madrona and at Madrona Wine we are airing out the old winter cobweb with some fresh wines from France.  Here’s what is going on:

Saturday we are featuring some French Country Wines from small, sustainable, organic and more natural producers. 
Château Breze, Cremant de Loire $19
Florence Loisel Cidre Brut  $10
2017 Domaine Couet  Sauvignon Blanc 
$15
2015 Château Lafond Canon Fronsac $18
2017 Olivier Pithon,  Mon P’tit Pithon  $16

Sunday we are off to Bordeaux with two wines from Château La Maroutine.  The plots of Château La Maroutine are situated on the slopes of the Saint Germain de Graves village at the south part of the Cadillac. A family estate since 1789 and bought in 1942 by Jean Darriet, a 6th generation winemaker, Château La Maroutine has been gradually restructured. Now the 8th generation is beginning to leave their imprint.
2017 Château La Maroutine Bordeaux Blanc  $11
80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon
From vines on the slopes above the Garonne river, this herbal, fruity wine is dominated by Sauvignon Blanc. Its acidity is balanced by the yellow fruits as well as citrus. 13% alcohol by volume
2015 La Maroutine Bordeaux  $11
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
A deep and intense garnet red color, a warm and powerful nose with touches of red crystallized fruit. Soft tannins in the mouth mixed with toasted bread aromas. 13% alcohol by volume

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday, we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.

Tenuta Col Sandago Extra Dry Prosecco  $18
100% Glera
Tenuta Col Sandago is set amidst the splendid hills of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG region in the prestigious March of Treviso.  The Glera grapes benefit from the land’s unique physical characteristics. The exposure, the slopes, the altitude and the microclimates all contribute to creating crisp Prosecco.  The wine has a fine and persistent mousse with a pleasing, characteristic fruitiness. The palate is slightly velvety, balanced and lingering.
 
2015 Colpaola, Verdicchio di Metalica $17
The valley of Matelica, called the Camerino Syncline, is the only one in the entire Marche region that runs parallel to the sea creating a unique continental microclimate, since it’s not influenced by air currents coming from the Adriatic Sea.  Made with organically farmed grapes, this delicious white opens with aromas of citrus blossom and white stone fruit. The tangy, medium-bodied palate offers a lovely depth of flavors that include juicy tangerine, lime, white peach, bitter almond and mineral. Crisp acidity brightens the rich flavors and carries through to the clean finish.
 
2014 Filodivino, Lacrima di Moro d’Alba Diana $12
The Filodivino draws its character from the minerality of the calcareous soil and salinity from the nearby Adriatic Sea. The wine has a fragrance of violets, dog roses accompanied with currant, blueberry and blackberry. In the mouth, the flavor is all enveloping, softened by scents of fruits of the forest, wild strawberries and bramble coupled with good structure and soft, refined tannins.
 
2016 Tiziano Mazzoni,  Colline Novaresi  Nebbiolo del Monteregio $25
Tiziano Mazzoni farms just 4.5 hectares of vines and produces about 1,200 cases of wine per year in the “alto Piemonte” region of Ghemme.  This higher elevation region of the Piedmont produces Nebbiolo that are radically different from Barolo or Barbaresco.  The Colline Novaresi is a light and very pretty Nebbiolo with aromas of red plums, red cherries, red and pink roses, light pepper.  It is suave and silky, fine-grained tannins.
 
2013 Giovanna Madonia, Ombroso Sangiovese di Romagna DOC Riserva $32
The Madonia estate extends over 35 acres on the sunny ridge of the magnificent hill of Montemaggio, in Bertinoro, the heart of Romagna Wine District. The vines are trained in the “Alberello” or “Bush” system, which allows the clusters a more consistent sun exposure throughout the daily cycle. Here, the plants benefit from an optimal southwest exposure, and the yields are kept at minimum for the best fruit quality. The vines are intermingled with olive groves and wild forest, whose scent is blended with the pleasant breeze coming from the Sea, only 5 miles away.  Inky dark, the wine opens with aromas of underbrush, vanilla and black-skinned berry. The dense palate delivers ripe black plum, toasted oak and tobacco alongside assertive tannins and the warmth of alcohol.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday, we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.

It is a cold and clear weekend here in Madrona.  So when the afternoon high hits 46 degrees, get out, stretch those legs and  come and taste some heartwarming  wines at the shop.

Saturday, we have hunted down a lineup from South Africa.
2016 Ashbourne,  Sauvignon Blanc / Chardonnay   $15
2016 Man Vintners,  Bosstok Pinotage $10
2014 Tometoso Syrah / Mourvédre  $16
2013 Helderberg Stelenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon $16
2013 Stark-Conde Stelenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon $28

Sunday, we head to Wahluke Slope with two new wines from Milbrandt Vineyards.. In 1997, Butch Milbrandt, a fourth-generation farmer, started planting grapes and helped establish two of the top AVAs in Washington State: Ancient Lakes and Wahluke Slope.
2018 Milbrandt Rosé  $11
73% Syrah, 27% Tempranillo
A Washington Rosé from Waluke Slope at an introductory price. Aromas of peaches lemon peel and strawberries followed by a crisp citrus finish.  Get ready for Spring.
2017 Milbrandt Cabernet  $12
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
A barrel-aged Washington Cabernet that has all the right fruit notes and a touch of toasty vanilla.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday, we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.

We’re hunting for big game this Saturday as we tour the landscape of South African Wines.  Grab your binoculars and come taste with us as we roam the Western Cape.
 
2016 Ashbourne,  Sauvignon Blanc /Chardonnay   $15
Ashbourne is located on a beautiful 64 hectare property in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley on the eastern border of Hamilton Russell Vineyards. Fresh, vibrant, perfumed Sauvignon blanc, filled-out and enriched with a carefully judged unwooded Chardonnay component, make this a beautifully balanced and highly versatile wine.
 
2016 Man Vintners,  Bosstok Pinotage $10
Bosstok refers to the untrellised bush-vine vineyards that make up more than half of the vineyards of Stellenbosch.  The Bosstok Pinotage plantings grow close to the ground, producing lower yields of concentrated, flavorful grapes. The wine shows pleasing aromas of mocha chocolate and roasted coffee beans, followed by juicy flavors of red berries, nutmeg and vanilla spice on the palate.
 
2014 Tometoso Syrah / Mourvedre  $16
76% Syrah, 24% Mourvedre
The Tometoso comes from dry-farmed, trellised vineyards that grow in deep, pebbly shale soils of the Agter-Paarl region.. The wine is barrel matured for 12 months in 225- and 300-litre oak barrels before blending.   It is intensely aromatic, with notes of orange-peel, leather, cigar tobacco, black licorice and dark-plummy fruit. The wine has layers of black fruit and leather notes. It finishes with typical black wine-gum flavors, rounded out by soft, juicy tannins.
 
2013 Helderberg Stelenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon $16
The Helderberg Cabernet Sauvignon displays aromas of blackcurrant, dark plums, red berries, light lead pencil whiffs and hints of fynbos. The dense layer of pure and complex fruit, with subtle cedar undertones, is held together by a firm and well balanced acidity. On the palate the wine exhibits a great balance of ripe fruit character with an elegant, structured and silky finish.
 
2015 Stark-Conde Stelenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon $28
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot
2015 was a very dry year, resulting in very rich, soft wines and considered to be one of the best vintages of the past 20 years.   There’s a leathery, tobacco-like seam throughout this dark and masculine Cab, adding intrigue to the black plum and cassis core. Hints of char and roasted coffee give a rich impression to the palate, which feels plush and velvety in texture yet well-structured and defined. The finish is long and evolving, with an enduring grip and final notes of cigar box and black-fruit skin.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday, we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.

It may be a little damp this weekend, but that won’t stop us from a little globetrotting to taste some fun wines.

Saturday, starting at 2PM we have:
2017 Nortico, Alvarinho $15
2017 Outer Sounds, Sauvignon Blanc $15
2017 Hand Work, Tempranillo $13 – 1 Liter
2017 Hand Work, Garnacha $14 — 1 Liter
2016 Penalolen, Cabernet Sauvignon $21

Then all day Sunday we are featuring a couple of Italian wines off our sale rack:
2013 Rocche Costamagna Dolcetto d’Alba  $10
This is a classic Dolcetto d’Alba for every daydrinking, with pleasing aromas reminiscent of marasca cherries. Soft on the palate, with delicate and persistent flavors, marked by a light almond finish. 13% alcohol by volume. Was $15 now $10
2014 Podere Ciona Semifonte $12
90% Merlot, 10% Alicante
A rounded, well-balanced Merlot-based wine with aromas of fresh plums, dried herbs, nuts and peppery undertones. 12.5% alcohol by volume. Was $15 now $12

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday, we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.

This Saturday we are off on a whirlwind tour of wines from 4 countries on three continents. We’ll start in Portugal with a crisp Alvarinho, then dash on to New Zealand for a southern hemisphere Sauvignon Blanc. After we quickly catch our breaths, we head on to Spain for some great value Tempranillo and Grenache. Finally we’ll head south again for a rich, robust Cabernet from Chile. Come with us as travel to the ends of the earth for good wine.

2017 Nortico, Alvarinho $15
Nortico is produced on the south bank of the Minho River in plots so small they are called “Jardins”, gardens in Portuguese. Soils here are granite and shiest and although it rains a lot (2,000 ml annually) the inland area is a little warmer than the coastal plantings allowing for a perfect maturation. Fresh citrus, peach and tropical fruit aromas paired with clean, juicy fruit and vibrant minerality. Creamy citrus oil, lime and yellow apple notes are nicely spiced and detailed with saline mineral and floral underpinnings through the long finish

2017 Outer Sounds, Sauvignon Blanc $15
This New Zealand SB has flavors of guava, lemon grapefruit peach and pear. It is lean and mean, tart and taut with a touch of textural weight.

2017 Hand Work, Tempranillo $13 – 1 Liter
Hand Work wines are made in La Mancha by three brothers. The wines are all Organic and Vegan. Their Tempranillo is light and spicy. Its bright cherry fruit goes down easy. And because it is a liter get an extra glass in each bottle.

2017 Hand Work, Garnacha $14 — 1 Liter
Hand Works Grenache full of ripe fresh fruit notes. Like its partner it is Organic and Vegan.

2016 Penalolen, Cabernet Sauvignon $21
76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Carmenere
A family owned estate vineyard. The Penalolen shows a rich perfume of blackberry and cassis. It’s an elegant wine, silky in texture, with deep, rich flavors on a pure, superbly balanced palate packed with note of Pine, Baking Spices and Roasted Meats. And it is Vegan.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday, we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.

The slush piles are slowly shrinking here in Madrona and we are back to the usual rain.  Here at Madrona Wine we know how to deal with rain.  We head to Italy!  This weekend we are tasting lovely wines from Piedmont and Veneto.

Saturday we have five wines from Marchesi di Barolo.
2017 Gavi DOCG $18
2015 Servaj, Dolcetto Langhe DOC  $13
2016 Maraia, Barbera del Monferrato DOC $15
2014 Sbirolo, Nebbiolo Langhe DOC $18
2012 Barolo Tradizione DOCG $50

Sunday we meet up with Two Gentlemen from Verona on the banks of Lake Garda in the Veneto wine region of Italy.
2017 Pieropan Soave Classico  $15
85% Garganega, 15% Trebbiano di Soave
Ample and floral aromas with notes of elderberry, apple, pear & lemon verbena on a background of almonds and nuts; fresh, elegant & well balanced on the palate, with a long finish. Was $19 now $15
2016 Allegrini, Valpolicella $15
65% Corvina/Corvione, 30% Rondinella, 5% Molinara
A classic Valpol that manages to be rich without trying to be Ripasso, the Allegrini has fragrant fruit with prominent notes of cherries, echoed by fresher hints of pepper and aromatic herbs, typical of Corvina and Corvinone, the historic varietals of this appellation.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday, we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.

Barolo as we know it today was first made in the early 19th century by the Marchese Carlo Tancredi Falletti di Barolo and his wife, Giulia. The wine from their estate soon became known as “the wine from Barolo”. The Marchesi had no children and following the death of the couple, the Marchesi di Barolo dynasty was left without an heir. The Winery was left to a charity helping the most needy of nearby Torino. The sales of wine from their Barolo vineyards continue to fund the charity, which still exists today. In 1929, local winemaker, Pietro Abbona purchased the cellars formerly owned by the Marchesi and eventually acquired all their vineyard holdings as well. Since 2006, the estate has been under the direction of Pietro’s great-grandson and fifth-generation winemaker, Ernesto Abbona and his wife Anna. Marchesi di Barolo’s estate today encompasses 430 acres of vineyards in the Langhe, some of the finest in Piedmont. Come by on Saturday and taste some of its produce.

2017 Gavi DOCG $18
Cortesse
The aroma is intense and fine, fruity and floral. It remembers the golden apples and green almonds. The scent of chamomile flowers is strong at the taste, completely in harmony. “Floral and anise notes accent the core apple and lemon flavors in this juicy white. The wine is balanced, leaving a salty, yet mouthwatering impression

2015 Servaj, Dolcetto Langhe DOC $13
Servaj” (pronounced: Ser-vai) is Piedmontese dialect, for both “wild” and “creative”. This Dolcetto is fresh and quite fruity with a distinct scent of Morello cherry. The dry, pleasantly balanced flavor is due to the low level of acidity.

2016 Maraia, Barbera del Monferrato DOC $15
In Piedmontese dialect, the term Maraia is synonymous with little rascals. Liveliness, exuberance, and sometimes a bit mischievous, this is a fitting name for a young, fresh, fragrant Barbera.

2014 Sbirolo, Nebbiolo Langhe DOC $18
Nebbiolo is a very eclectic grape variety. It is able to extract many trace elements from hills with calcareous and clayey soil that enrich its texture, while picks fragrant and fruity aromas from soils rich limestone and fine quartz sands. This union causes a wine of great harmony and completeness with a wide and immediate expression of the bouquet. The fragrance combines the fruity aromas of raspberries to those ethereal and spicy of violet and vanilla. The taste is dry, balanced with fine and elegant tannins.

2012 Barolo Tradizione DOCG $50
The grapes for this Barolo come exclusively from the finest vineyards of the communities of Castiglione Falletto, Barolo and Monforte d’Alba. The wine is blended and aged for 2 years in traditional large Slavonian oak barrels. The wine completes its aging in the bottle for some months before release. The 2012 Barolo Tradizione is a dark and succulent expression of Nebbiolo from a warm vintage. Plum fruit, tart cherry, balsam herb and black licorice rise from the bouquet with marked intensity. The wine is structured and firm with broad flavors that spread far over the palate.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday, we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.