It is time again to try some Bubbles.  We have some Vintage, some Special Club, & all Grower fantastic Champagnes to sip on.  We’ll have some appetizers to go with and still get you home for Sunday dinner.

This special tasting is s BY RESERVATION ONLY.
We’ll be offering a 10% discount on these wines this evening.
Space is limited to twelve people. Call or email us to save a spot.

 
2009 Copinet Monsieur Leonard Blanc de Blanc  $53
Chardonnay
This tête du cuvée reflects the very best selections from the 2009 vintage. Both creamy yet zingy with acidity, it coats the mouth with pear, melon, and citrus, with a huge, layered 5- minute finish of marzipan, nutmeg, mulled – wine – spice, orange and Meyer lemon.

Durmont & Fils Solera Reserve Brut  $50
Chardonnay
This is made using the solera method. Dumont has dedicated one stainless steel tank that was first filled in 1991. He has been adding to the tank every year, making it at present, a blend of approximately 20 vintages.  There is a lot going on here: apple, pear, peach, apricot, lemon, lime, orange, pineapple, kiwi, butter, cream and vanilla.  Organic

2012 A. Margaine Special Club Brut 1er  $85
100% Chardonnay 
The vintage Blanc de Blancs [the “Spécial Club” bottling] from this grower based in the little-known village of Villers-Marmery at the far eastern end of the Montagne de Reims is refined, incisive, and vinous, built on understated lemon fruit, and acquiring tantalizing walnut-butter notes with time.
 
Pehu Simonet Blanc de Noir Grand Cru  $85
Pehu Simonet is a smaller producer locate in Verzenay, which is a Pinot Noir-dominated grand cru village in the Grande Montagne de Reims area. The pure Pinot gives a powerful character to this Champagne. There is terrific tension, producing a wine that is firmly structured, full of ripe flavors of white fruit and red apple skin. It’s full bodied and dry in the Pehu-Simonet style.
 
Jean Vesselle Oeil de Perdrix Rosé  $58
100% Pinot Noir
A grower Rosé Champagne from Bouzy.  Dried rose petals, orange zest, white pepper and mint give much of its high-toned aromatics, but there is plenty of depth to the fruit as well. Deceptively medium in body, the Oeil de Perdrix possesses striking finesse and exceptional overall balance. Oeil de Perdrix is an old-fashioned style of Blanc de Noirs with just a touch of color from a very short period of skin contact at pressing.

December has arrived and it looks like we are in for a week of good winter weather here in Madrona.  For those of you in our wine club the boxes are packed and ready for pick up.  We are tasting Wines from Italy all weekend at the shop.  We are pulling the corks on  a few favorites so swing by and see what is open.

Saturday we’ll be tasting a Prosecco from Veneto, two Tuscan reds, a Barbera from Piedmont, and an Aglianico from Campania.  They are all bold wines that will help to take the damp out of December.
La Luca, Prosecco  $11
2016 Carpineto, Dogajolo Red  $13
2012 Carpineto, Chianti Classico $20
2017 Viberti, Barbera d’ Alba La Gemella  $15
2013 Vinosia, Taurasi Santandrea  $40

Sunday, we’ll start off in Abruzzo, which is east of Rome on the Adriatic for a little Pecorino. Next up we are off to Tuscany for a good value Chianti.
2017 Priore Pecorino  $12
A supple Abruzzo white with smooth citrus notes and a bit of minerality.
2016 Badia di Morrona Chianti  $12
85% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
This laid-back Chianti offers red-skinned berry and baking spice aromas. The palate is simple, with easygoing tannins and ripe red cherry and clove flavors.

Coming Up Soon!
Tis the Season
Champagne Tasting
Sunday, December 9^th
5:30 pm
$25 (plus tax)
It is time again to try some Bubbles.  We have some Vintage, some Special Club, and all Grower fantastic Champagnes to sip on. 
This special tasting is s BY RESERVATION ONLY.
Space is limited to twelve people. Call or email us to save a spot.
More details coming soon.

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.

Thanksgiving is 5 days away and it is time to pick up some wines for whatever your holiday plans are.  We will be Open next Tuesday, and open each Tuesday from now until New Years.    We’ll also be open THANKSGIVING DAY 11-3 for those last minute wine emergencies!  But before that we are tasting a fine line up of wines to match the big feast.

Saturday, come find a different match to your holiday meal.
2017 Ca dei Frati Lugana I Frati $19
Trebbiano
2016 Saget la Perriere Blois, Marie de Beauregard Vouvray  $17
100% Chenin Blanc
2018 Garzon, Pinot Noir Rosé $15
Just off the boat.
2017 Domaine du Prieurè,  Hautes Côtes du Beaune $19
Pinot Noir
2012 Sella & Mosca, Terre Rare Reserva  $17
Carignano del Sulcis

Sunday, we offer a pair of Portugesse.  Portuguese wine was brought to the region by ancient civilizations, such as the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, and the Romans. Portugal started to export its wines to Rome during the Roman Empire. Come experience these old world wines in the modern era.
2014 Casa Ferreirinha, Planalto Branco Reserva   $13
35% Viosinho, 15% Malvasia Fina, 15% Gouveio, 15% Códega, 15% Arinto, 5% Moscatel
A full, dry Portuguese white with floral aromas (orange blossom), tropical fruits (pineapple and passion fruit), along with beeswax, apples, pears and citrus peel. 12.5% alcohol by volume
2014 Terras do Dão, Irreverente   $10
Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen, Alfrocheiro Preto
A fine, accessible blend of all the Dão red grapes in a mélange that is full of blackberry fruits and acidity. 13% alcohol by volume
3ltr box –$23

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.

Thanksgiving is coming, and we are starting to think of our turkey wines here in in Madrona.  But while we wait for the big feast, we have a full weekend of art and wine tasting lined out. Maybe the two go together.

Saturday we are tasting wines from Piedmont — mostly organic, and several would be prefect for Thanksgiving Day.  Plus, we have a Barolo!  No more need be said.
2016 Antoniolo,  Erbaluce di Caluso   $17
2015 Boschis Francesco Dolcetto Dogliani  Pianezzo $16
2011 La Colombera Arché  Croatina $19
2014 Luigi Pira Serralunga Barolo $42
2017 Viberti, Moscato d’Asti  $18

Sunday we are pouring Two Txakoli! 
Txakoli de Getaria – Getariako Txakolina is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) (Jatorrizko Deitura in Basque) for wines, located around the towns of Getaria and Zarautz, small fishing towns on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, in the province of Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain Come explore with us.
2015 Getariako Txakolina Inazio Urruzola  $13
80% Hondarribi Zuri, 15% Chardonnay, 5% Petit Corvou
A dry light Txakolina with apple and lemon peel notes. 11% alcohol by volume
2017 Finca Jakue Txakolina Rosé  $10
From the beautiful Basque region of Spain, this slightly fizzy rosé is lightly chalky with loads of peach and melon character. A 50/50 blend of Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza. Subtle spritz adds vibrancy in every way! 11.5 % alcohol by volume Was $18 now $10

New Art!
Sunday is also our artist reception for our new show, Small, Smaller, Smallest by Nia Michaels. Mixed media on antique tintypes.  Come meet the artist from 3 to 5 pm.

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 focusing on Piedmont.  And YES, we are pouring a fabulous Barolo from Luigi Pira, but we are also pouring some less know but intriguing wines from the region.  Most are Organic although not necessarily certified as such.  Several are also great matched for the upcoming Turkey.  There are plenty of reasons to stop by and give them a try.
 
2016 Antoniolo, Erbaluce di Caluso   $17
This white variety grows only in Alto-Piemonte and provides a terrific alternative for fans of Gavi di Gavi or even Loire Valley whites, such as Sancerre. The Eraluce has vibrant aromas of ripe peach and subtle white flowers, with citrusy, refreshing flavors and terrific minerality.  Organic
 
2015 Boschis Francesco Dolcetto Dogliani  Pianezzo $16
A family farm, the Francesco Boschis estate is run by Mario Boschis with the collaboration of his wife and their two adult sons. They not only have some of the best high-altitude, old vines plantings of Dolcetto in the Dogliani appellation but also grow hazelnuts, as well as keep bees and cattle on their farm. Though the family works organically by definition, they are not certified.  This dry and intense Dolcetto delivers wonderfully earthy flavors and classic red fruit –dark red berries, iron, smoke and leather all inform the superb finish.

2011 La Colombera Arché        $19
100% Croatina
The Semino family wine estate, La Colombera, is one of Piedmont’s rising stars. Based in the village of Vho, among the pretty, calcareous clay hills of Tortona, it’s a third generation, 22 ha property planted with Timorasso, Barbera, Croatina & Dolcetto.  A different Piedmont red the Arché is all Croatina which shows complex red fruits including plum, cherry and wild berry jams pink and green pepper, vanilla and nutmeg lead to a hint of herbal balsamic. Soft and warm palate is supported by good acidity and dense tannic structure. fruity and spicy notes are well defined on the palate.  Organic
Was $28 now $19

2014 Luigi Pira Serralunga Barolo $42
Nebbiolo
“One of Piedmont’s superstars… these are wines of extraordinary complexity and breathtaking richness. The spectacular offerings from Pira ‘s vineyards in and around Serralunga d’Alba are among the more riveting examples.” – Robert Parker.  The wine is firm and juicy with leather, light tar and dark-berry aromas and flavors, a medium body and a fresh finish.  The flavor is persistent and supple with a good balance between tannins and acidity. Organic
 
2017 Viberti, Moscato d’Asti  $18
Viberti, located in the village of Barolo was founded in the early 20th century by Antonio Viberti, an innkeeper and restaurateur and the wine produced from the estate vineyards was exclusively for the patrons of the restaurant.  In the intervening years they expanded and now we get some here in the US.  The Moscato has intense aromas of fresh grapes, peaches and white flowers. It is delicately sweet and sparkling with balanced acidity, good complexity and a finish of fresh grapes.

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.