Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that raises the question — what wine to have with the big bird. If you are stuck for an answer, we have five wines we are pouring on Saturday that will fit the bill. They are all innovative answers to the cornucopia of flavor that is Thanksgiving. The real secret is that they are great the rest of the year as well. Come have a taste.
 
2015 Bricco Barlolomeo La Colomberg  $15
Produced with Cortese grapes, the wine has notes of nectarine, apricot and broom flower. On the palate it is fresh, zesty and persistent. It is a versatile wine which is great as an aperitifs or through out any meal.
 
2015 Tenuta Col Sandago, Wildbacher Brut Rose  $20
Tenuta Col Sandago, nestled among the hills in Veneto is the only vineyard in Italy to grow Wildbacher (wild stream) — an Austrian grape that makes this great rosé. The Brut Rosé is an elegant, pale pink sparkling wine with delicate notes of wild strawberry and rose petal.  It can cut through gravy with sparkling precision.
 
2015 Broadly Pinot Noir Willamette Valley  $20
Broadley is a family owned and operated vineyard and winery established in 1981. The estate vineyard is farmed using sustainable and organic farming practices.  The wine has raspberry and cherry aromas, with hints of cranberry, spice and subtle mushroom/earth. Flavors of black raspberry, pomegranate, leather and earth open mid-palate sliding to the back of the tongue. Pinot is the go to red for the annual feast.
 
2015 Domaine Brotte, Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne   $15
Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Carignan
This Châteauneuf du Pape-based estate continues makes a bevy of beautiful wines from the Southern Rhône. In almost all cases, the wines over-deliver. The Cairanne is no exception. It is focused, with a graphite spine carrying crushed plum and warmed cherry notes. Light tea and anise hints run through the finish. It is ready to arm wrestle the cranberry sauce.
 
2006 Malvera St Guglielmo  $22
70% Barbera, 25% Nebbiolo, 5% Bonarda
An aged Piedmont Rosso that spends 24 months in barrel before bottling, and several years after in the bottle to blend its great flavors. Yes, the wine is 11 years old and only costs $22. Aromas of blackberry, prunes and tobacco. The wine is powerful but velvety with blackberry, vanilla, and leather notes. It is both full and elegant. Pass the stuffing.

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.

Looking to warm up the dark nights.  Come join us for our Special Barolo & Barbaresco Tasting. We’ll be pulling the corks on Five Nebbiolo kingpins and seeing how they stack up. The tasting starts at 5:30 after the shop closes and we’ll have some tasting appetizers to match the wines. It’s a great way to recover from Thanksgiving. Space is limited so contact us to reserve a spot.
 
2013 Pasquale Pelissero Barbaresco Cascina Crosa  $25
This single-vineyard Nebbiolo from a small family estate has earthy aromas of leather, truffle, violet, ripe black cherry and a funky whiff of game on this. The approachable palate offers fleshy dark cherry, cranberry, clove and a hint of licorice. And it has an incredible price. Was $32 now $25

2012 Podere Ruggeri Corsini, Barolo “Bussia” $40
This single-vineyard Barolo is from Monforte d’Alba. Ripe berry, violet, leather and menthol aromas lead the nose. The firm palate offers mature cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and sage alongside assertive, tightly wound tannins that need to unwind.
 
2013 Luigi Pira, Serralunga Barolo   $37
Pira’s Serralunga racked up a lot of points from the critics for the money.  “The 2013 Serralunga is a gorgeous Barolo from Pira in this vintage. Attractive aromatics of fresh strawberries and cherries are laced with spices and floral nuances. Balanced, focused and beautifully structured with a lovely polished texture and wonderful length on the finish. This impresses from start to finish, and as always the standard Serralunga Barolo from Pira is simply outstanding”.  93pts IWR
 
2009 Schiavenza di Pira, Broglio Barolo  $50 
Broglio is a village of Serralunga d’Alba with southeast exposure with loamy ground, and slimy deeply calcareous  soils. A combination of cherry, licorice, leather, spice and tobacco notes gives way to solid tannins. All the elements are there, and the long finish picks up a black tea accent.
 
2008 Borgogno, Barolo Le Teorie  $80
A special bottling of the 2008 Barolo, the le Teorie is from Cannubi, Liste, Fossati and San Pietro delle Viole vineyards. After at least four years aging, it is bottled and labelled and is ready to stimulate intellectual reflection. A wine which at table can stimulate discussion of the most refined topics. Six different labels take your pick or get the set. The regular labeled 2008 got 92pts from Vinous.

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 busy weekend here at Madrona Wine Merchants.  We are putting together a series of Special Tastings for the upcoming weeks (more about those soon).  And Sunday from 3 to 5 is the Artist Reception for our new show: The Discovery Park Series by Charles Prutting.  Come by and see the work and meet the painter.  But first there are wines to try!

Saturday we have an interesting lineup of versatile wines to prepare you for the upcoming Holiday Season.
2015 Torii Mor Pinot Gris  $15
2014 Torii Mor, Pinot Noir Willamette Valley  $20
2016 Allegrini ,Valpolicella  $15
2013 Allegrini , Palazzo della Torre  $19
2014 The Underground Wine Project, Devil’s Playground Cabernet $30

Sunday we are featuring two Spanish favorites.  Both go well with food or sip fine by themselves.

2015 Monteabellon, Avaniel Ribera del Duero  $10
Tempranillo
Surprisingly complex and spicy, the wine has an attractive nose of spice box, blueberry and blackberry. This is followed by a medium-bodied wine with a supple texture. 
Was $12 now $10

2013 Triton, Mencia  $13
From Bierzo the Triton has a sweet nose of blueberries, black raspberries, wet stones and white flowers. The wine is medium-bodied with supple tannins, good opulence and surprising intensity.  It throws a bit of sediment at the end so watch that last sip.

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 days are short, they sky is cloudy, there is a nip in the air, it’s time to PARTY. This Saturday we are featuring some wines to help get the Holiday Season going. We’ve got some wines that will go with a big Thanksgiving meal as well as a little impromptu get together. Drop by and join us.

2015 Torii Mor Pinot Gris $15
Torii Mor made their first wine in 1993, which makes them old school for the Willamette Valley. Their Pinot Gris is a blend from Kraemer Vineyard; near Silverton, Willamette Valley appellation and Olson Vineyard; in the Dundee Hills. This Pinot Gris has refreshing acidity, framed by pear notes and delicate anise notes. Juicy and mouth-filling, this wine has a long-lasting finish.

2014 Torii Mor, Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $20
A blend of 12 vineyards, Torii Mor’s Noir has rich aromas of fresh raspberries, sweet and plump dark cherries and fresh, delicate mushrooms. The flavors are fresh, with an amount of sweet darker cherries; the mid palate carries on that velvet-fruity goodness to a long, enjoyable aftertaste of pure Oregon Pinot Noir.

2016 Allegrini,Valpolicella $15
65% Corvina/Corvione, 30% Rondinella, 5% Molinara
From Allegini, one of the big wigs of Veneto winemaking, this wine is Classic Valpolicello without trying to be Ripasso. It shows 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.

2013 Allegrini, Palazzo della Torre $19
70% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, 5% Sangiovese
Allegrini owns this estate where they make this baby Amarone. The vineyard surrounds Villa della Torre, a splendid masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. A small percentage of the harvested grapes are left to dry out until December and then added to the previously vinified fresh grapes. The result is a velvety, well-balanced red wine that proffers mature, pulpy fruit.

2014 The Underground Wine Project, Devil’s Playground Cabernet $30
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah
The Underground Wine Project is a collaboration between Washington wine makers Mark McNeilly (Mark Ryan Winery) and Trey Busch (Sleight of Hand Cellars). Their Devil’s Playground shows pure Red Mountain Cabernet character, with loads of ripe red fruits, currants, cocoa nibs, and spicy tobacco. This dense Cabernet is already immediately and undeniably delicious. It has the stuffing and tannin profile to age for at least a decade, but don’t feel bad if you crack a bottle open sooner than later.

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 temperatures have dipped this weekend in Madrona as we head into Daylight Saving time.  So bundle up and come to the shop where we have a full weekend of fantastic French wines to try.  And Sunday morning don’t for get to Fall back.

Saturday we are featuring five French wines that are green as well as being delicious.  They are all organic, biodynamic and created with respect for the environment.  And you don’t want to miss the Champagne.  The cork pops at 2pm.
Liebart-Regnier, Champagne Brut  – $42
2015 Domaine le Croisille, Croizillon Cahors – $14
2015 Domaine de l’Olivette, Coteaux de la Cabrerisse Rouge – $13
2015 Domaine Turenne,  Cuvee Bastien $16
2015 Domaine Melody,  Crozes Hermitage Premier Regard $29

Sunday we have two more French reds to try.

2012 Gonnet Rasteau, La Mado  $12
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Highly aromatic with lovely concentration of fruit on the palate, and a great price. Was $15 now $12

2016 La Chanteleuserie Bourgueil  $15
Cabernet Franc
A classic dry Cabernet Franc from the Loire with dark berry fruit and red steak minerality.

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 featuring five French wines that are green as well as being delicious.  These wines are all organic, biodynamic and created with respect for the environment.  They also taste great otherwise we wouldn’t bother.  The cork pops on the Champagne at 2pm.
 
Liebart-Regnier, Champagne Brut  $42
70% Pinot Meunier, 15% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
Liebart-Regnier is a small grower Champagne founded in 1960.  The estate is a designated HVE grower (High Environmental Value), they use a diverse strategy in the vineyards to avoid chemicals and pesticides.  The brut spends 3 years on the lees and has 8 grams dosage.  With its lively mousse, this is a bright wine, fruity and stylish. Citrus dominates, along with pink grapefruit that is shot through with lime. There is just a light, more mineral, texture with a dry, crisp aftertaste.
 
2015 Domaine le Croisille, Croizillon Cahors $14
100% Malbec
Chateau les Croisille began on 30 hectares of abandoned land that was cleared by Cecile and Bernard Croisille in 1979. Joined by their two sons, the property takes advantage of the sandy, red clay soils to grow the regions famed Malbec. The estate is certified organic and biodynamic. The wine offers aromas of black fruit with hints of violet, licorice and incense.  It finishes with dry mineral tannins.
 
2015 Domaine de l’Olivette, Coteaux de la Cabrerisse Rouge $13
40% Grenache, 40% Merlot, 20% Syrah
This estate is located in the heart of the French “Midi” near Carcassonne and about 20 miles from the Mediterranean Sea at a height of 100-180 meters and surrounded by 500 hectares of scrubland, which lets them organically farm its 82 hectares within its own ecosystem of flora and fauna, without risk of drift or disease from neighboring properties. The wine has fresh fruit of raspberry and blackberries with a touch of licorice. 
 
2015 Domaine Turenne, Cuvee Bastien $16
50% Mouvedre, 30% Carignan, 20% Syrah
This Organic and biodynamic estate in Provence is handpicked, spontaneous fermented, and bottled with no filtration.  Like a baby Bandol the wine shows a lot of character and structure.  Aromas of black berries and spices lead to complex roasted notes of cocoa, coffee and animal character.
 
2015 Domaine Melody, Crozes Hermitage “Premier Regard $29
Syrah
Until 2010 Denis Larivière sold these grapes to Cave de Tain.  Since then no herbicides have been applied to the vineyards.  The wine has a tangy nose of red and black fruits with a vanilla oak touch and spice undertones. The delicate attack leads into a lush, rich, structured palate delivering more tight knit black berry fruits and broad and fluid tannins that are emphasized towards the finish.

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 busy getting ready for Halloween this weekend here in Madrona.  Tuesday, we will be open from 4 to 6 to hand out candy to the kids and maybe a taste of something for the adults.  But first we have some wine we have to try.

Satuday we have five diverse wines from the corners of Italy.
2014 Noelia Ricci IGT Bianco Forli Bro $18
2015 Tenuta La Pergola Monferrato Rosso “Il Gocetto”   $12
2014 Noelia Ricci, Sangiovese Superiore Romagna, Il Sangiovese  $18
2013  De Vescovi Ulzbach Teroldigo Rotaliano $18
2014 Cos, Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG $40

Sunday we pair off with two reds from the South of France.  Come see how Côtes du Rhône stacks up against Costieres de Nimes.

2016 Domaine des Pasquiers Côtes du Rhône          $10
75% Grenache, 25% Syrah
A great little entry Rhone wine with more dark fruit and structure than you expect for the money.

2015 Mas de Bressades Costieres de Nimes               $15
45% Syrah, 55% Grenache
A very earthy, gamey Southern French blend with sweet cherry and dark berry notes, lots of spice, violets, and licorice with a smooth texture and medium body.

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.

Champagne
Sunday, November 5^th
5:30 pm
$25 (plus tax)

 
Some nights you just need something to make the candles brighter and the night a little less gloomy.  It’s Fall.  It’s Champagne.  Sunday, November 5th we’re having a special Champagne Tasting It beat back the dark.  These wines are all small production, all grower and all delicious. The tasting starts at 5:30pm after we close the shop. We’ll have some special appetizers to go with and still get you home for Sunday dinner.  Space is limited so contact us if you want to attend.
 
2011 Thierry Triolet,  Brut Vieilles Vignes  $52
100% Chardonnay
Triolet’s Vieilles Vignes is vintage Champagne produced only in the best years. Made entirely from Chardonnay from one parcel of vines that are at least 40 years old, this cuvée evolves beautifully over time. The wine has complex layers of toasty, creaminess that lingers on to a smooth finish.  Dosage is 9 grams
 
José Michel,  Pinot Meunier  $48
José Michel is a small but renown grower in Moussy, a village just south of Épernay, who is noted for Pinot Meunier-dominated Champagne. Pure Meunier, this surprising wine unveils the subtle and fruity perfumes as well  as  a beautiful aromatic complexity of the grape.  Mainly from the 2015 vintage with some older stock blended in to balance the cuvée, it is fruity, aromatic, flowery on the nose.  The palate is full-bodied, and with moderate acidity.  Dosage 10 grams

2006 R. Dumont & Fils, Brut, Blanc de Noir  $57
Pinot Noir
The Dumont family estate is situated in Champignol-lez-Mondeville, a village in the southern Champagne region of the Aube, the Dumonts have owned vineyards in this area for over two hundred years and today three Dumont brothers work together to produce champagne exclusively from their own 22 hectares. The 2006 Blanc de Noir is from one of their most ancient plots.  The wine has aromas of chalky minerality and notes of honey, praline and mocha.  The flavor is slightly saline with dry red fruit and a creamy coco tinged body.  6 grams dosage
 
2010 José Michel, Special Club  $70
50% Meunier,  50% Chardonnay
Elegant aromatic complexity with superb finesse, rose hints  with hazelnut and grilled almond.  Superb, full rich  volume,  generous  and  unctuous,  with undertones  of  toasted  bread  aroma,  stewed  yellow-fleshed  fruit with a slight floral touch. 10 grams dosage

R. Dumont & Fils, Brut Rosé $48
Pinot Noir
This Pinot Noir is from the parts of the vineyard with darker skinned grapes. Fermentation starts as a red wine, but the juice is removed from the contact with the skin as soon as there is a balance in the color, the tannin and the aroma extraction.  The wine is mainly from the 2013 vintage.  It has aromas of red current and cherry with a full mouthfeel and a fresh finish.  11 grams dosage

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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.