Why stay in one place? This Saturday we’ll be hopping around all over “yourup“, taking in the sights of the old world and stopping at some favorite wineries. It’s “Spring Break” Madrona Wine style. Hop along with us as we hit a little bit of Spain, France, Germany and Italy.

Torre Oria, Cava $10 ($15 for 1.5ltr.)
Macabeo
Torre Oria ups the ante on value. Their crisp entry sparkler has a floral bouquet of wild flowers and berries and abundant fine bubbles. On the palate, it has flavors of peaches, tropical fruits and flowers.

2015 Granville-Lacoste, Graves Blanc $18
75% Sémillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Muscadelle
This blend is a little different than the more Sauvignon dominated wines of most Graves. The Semillon offers texture and minerality with a ripe, almost tropical stone fruit quality on the palate, while the grassy, citrusy aromatics are all Sauvignon Blanc. It is a full, clean and fresh Bordeaux Blanc.

2015 Weingut Hexamer, Quarzit Riesling $17
Harald Hexamer’s dedication is seen both his work in the vineyards and in the cellars. The “Quarzit” always comes from a special parcel in Rheingrafenberg that is mostly all quartzite with steep (55°) south-east facing slopes. Usually the wine is harvested at high Spätlese level. When tasting the wines, one sees the purity of the vineyards, the intensity of minerality and remarkable clarity. They’re steely, acid-driven, clean and transparent.

2015 Ca’ del Baio Langhe Nebbiolo $14
Ca’ del Baio is better known for their Barbarescos, owner Giulio Grasso was named “Viticulturist of the Year” by the Gambero Rosso in 2016. But their young-vine Nebbiolo producer shows raspberry, high-toned grapey essence, and hints of earth and stands out as an achievement on its own.

2015 Domaine Durban, Beaumes de Venise Rouge $19
70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre
Located on the hillsides of Beaumes-de-Venise, is best known for its sweet white wine. However, their lighter and elegant Rhone Red has pretty notes of cherry, violets, and spice that will win you over.

2013 Corte alla Flora, Pugnitello Toscana $29
Most of the top wines from the Tuscany region of Italy are made from Sangiovese. However, Pugnitello, another indigenous red Tuscan grape, also deserves attention. Pugnitello means ‘little fist’ and refers to the grape’s tight bunches on the vines. It lost favor in the mid-20th century to Sangiovese partly because of its low yields. The vine produces small grapes with thick skins. They have intense dark color with ample tannins and good acid. The wine has a beautiful deep red color. The nose of ripe fruit has notes of blueberry and sensations of cloves and tobacco. In the mouth, it is velvety with sensations that recall the berries and surprisingly balance between structure and acidity.

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.

While the sun plays hide and seek with the showers this weekend, we at Madrona Wine are casting our glances and glasses to the Mediterranean,

Saturday we are touring Spain following the breezes from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean as well as the wind through Rioja Alta and Catalonia.
2015 K5 Arginano, Pilota Txakolina  $19
2015 Vina Reboreda,  Godello   $13
2012 Bodegas Martinez Corta, Cepas Antiguas Rioja, Selección Privada $12
2014 Grifoll Declara, Tossals Junior, Montsant $12
2013 Terrer d’Aubert, Tarragona $30

Sunday we are easing into Italy.  We’ll be pouring two easy quaffers from the big boot.  While both these wines are well made with underlying complexities, the main focus here is on simple enjoyment.   

2013 Giacomelli Paduletti  $10
60% Vermentino, 30% Trebbiano, 10% Malvasia
A more inland wine from Cinqua Tera, this Lugurian white has Acacia, honey and aromatic herb aromas along with a yellow plum, wisteria flowers and mint flavor. Was $14 now $10

2014 Scarpetta Squadra Rosso  $10
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 10% Merlot
An easy quaffer from Sicily, medium-bodied with ripe red fruits and hints of cinnamon. The Squadra tastes old-world and very modern at the same time.

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.

Come join us Saturday and we traverse the coasts and mountains of Spain.  You’ll feel breezes from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean as well as the wind through Rioja Alta and Catalonia — five wines, five regions, six grapes, endless flavor.
 
2015 K5 Arginano, Pilota Txakolina  $19
100% Hondarrabi Zuri
The K5 Winery is situated 300 meters above sea level with mineral rich soils of chalk, limestone, and shale. The scenic view from the winery highlights our surrounding 15 hectares descending down towards the Cantabrian Sea.  The Atlantic influences of the Bay of Biscay and the altitude provides a natural freshness.  The Pilota has intense notes of fruit and minerals, with subtle hints of white flowers and fruits like apple and winter pear.
 
2015 Vina Reboreda,  Godello   $13
From Bierzo, this 100% Godello comes from 40-year-old vines planted in chalky-clay soils on steep slopes overlooking the Miño River. This is a medium-bodied, fresh, complex and mineral wine that marries power and purity, with good density.  Its pear, melon, almond, orange peel and mineral flavors mingle seamlessly.
 
2012 Bodegas Martinez Corta, Cepas Antiguas Rioja, Selección Privada $12
Tempranillo
Bodegas Martínez Corta family estate includes 225 acres of old-vine Tempranillo in the heart of Rioja Alta.  The grapes for the Selección Privada are manually harvested from vineyards over 40 years of age in the Rioja Alta villages of Uruñuela, Cenicero and San Asensio. The wine has black fruit aromas of plums and blueberries are followed by a rich and velvety palate and a lingering, refreshing finish.
 
2014 Grifoll Declara, Tossals Junior, Montsant $12
60% Granacha Negra, 30% Cariñena, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine cellar of the Grifoll family goes back to 1880. Many generations of the Grifoll family have been producing wine from their own vineyards at “El Molar”. In 2001, when the new cellar “Grifoll Declara” was founded to make wine for the family co-op.  The vine comes from 30-50 years old vines in Montsant.  The wine has notes of ripe red fruit, sweets and spicy balsamic with a touch of vanilla.
 
2013 Terrer d’Aubert, Tarragona $30
Cabernet Sauvignon
The Morell family vineyard estate is comprised of nine parcels totaling seventeen acres in the outskirts of Tarragona on the Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Defying urban sprawl, the vineyards lie within a mile and half of the sea, their soils composed of calcareous loam derived from shell (fossil) limestone. The wine has black cherry, blackberry, licorice; graphite and toasty flavors mingle in this polished, harmonious red, with a good balance of well-integrated tannins and acidity. The long finish shows floral and mineral notes.

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.

Join us Saturday as we frolic through the French country side quaffing vinous sips from France’s diverse regions.  We’ll be tasting wines from the villages of Jonqieux, Chablis, Bourgueil, Lirac, and Gigondas.  Kick up your heals and come join us.
 
2014 Eugene-Carrel, Jongieux Blanc $13
Jacquère
Carrel is a third generation family run vineyard & winery located in the village of Jongieux, the largest of the 17 appellations of the Savoie region. Situated at the start of the French Alps, Jongieux vineyards are on very steep, clay-limestone slopes carved out by ancient glaciers. Their southwest exposure provides 2-3 hours more sun daily, allowing the grapes to ripen more fully than in any other part of Savoie and produce fuller, fresher and more balanced wines. Jacquère wines have high acidity and a small amount of its natural CO2 is retained to enhance its freshness and vitality. The Carrel shows off a fruit essence of citrus and very ripe pears, followed by a floral overtone and a slight mineral note on the finish.
 
2015 Le Domaine d’Henri, Petit Chablis $20
Chardonnay
The Laroche family owned vines back as far as 1700 and started making wine in 1781. Their Petit Chablis, shows aromas of acacia mixed with lemon on a mineral driven base, presenting notes of peach and pear on the palate, with a well-balanced acidity and mineral, chalky notes that are the signature of Chablis.
 
2014 Domaine Le Pins, Bourgueil  $14
Cabernet Franc
Domaine les Pins has been a family-owned estate for 5 generations with 16 hectares in Bourgueil exclusively planted with Cabernet Franc.  They practice sustainable farming with respect to the environment.  A 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.
 
2013 Domaine la Rocalière, Lirac  $17
34% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre, 33% Syrah
La Rocalière is a family estate with 32 ha of 30 year old certified organic vines in Lirac.  The wine has a dense purple color, with pure, dark fruit on the nose followed by deep, spicy, beautiful texture and structure on the palate.
 
2014 Moulin de La Gardette, Gigondas Tradition $28
80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Cinsault
Jean-Baptiste Meunier is the fifth-generation winemaker behind the great property of Moulin de la Gardette in the Rhone region of Gigondas.  Gigondas has more south facing slopes and higher elevations as well as varied soils that distinguish the region from some of its neighbors. The Tradition comes from vines averaging an age of 40 years. It is aged for about 18 months in mostly used barrique before bottling. The 2014 offers lots of cedary spice, dried red fruits and garrigue.  It is both rustic and charming with spicy tannins that add shape and grip.  

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.

Spring has Sprung and here in Madrona the buds are breaking out and we are still getting lots of sprinkles to keep the new seeds from drying out.  And here at Madrona Wine we have a full line up of tasting wines to keep us from drying out.

Saturday, we are taking a small safari through South Africa. With wines from Franschhoek, Paarl, and Walker Bay.  
2015 Southern Right,Walker Bay, Sauvignon Blanc
2015 Tormentoso, Paarl, Old Vine Cinsaut
2014 Tormentoso, Paarl, Pinotage
2013 Chamonix, Franschhoek Rouge
2014 Boekenhoutskloof, Franschhoek The Chocolate Block

Sunday we have two from Château Teulon.   Since 1703, the Teulon family has farmed land in the village of Saint Gilles, south of Nimes. With Phillipe and Vincent at the helm, the wines are gentile and elegant. Since 2012 the vineyards are certified “agriculture biologique.”

2015 Château Teulon Costièrs de Nîmes  $10
Roussanne
A great little organic white.  Floral, citrus, mineral, wet rock, with lemon peel and lime with a wisp of fresh citrus. 13% alcohol by volume. Organic

2015 Château Teulon Costièrs de Nîmes Rouge  $10
60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre
Gorgeous purity along with abundant notes of cranberries, black cherries, black currants, crushed rocks and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure and textured. Organic

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.

Saturday, we are heading to the other end of the globe and taking a tasting tour of South Africa.  Come see the variety of Franschhoek, Paarl, and Walker Bay.  Come take a Saturday Safari with us.
 
2015 Southern Right, Walker Bay, Sauvignon Blanc $17
Southern Right is a small Sauvignon Blanc specialist located on a strikingly beautiful 448-hectare property just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The wines are named after the rare Southern Right whales, which frequent the cool South Atlantic Walker Bay, 3 kms from the vineyards.  The wine is Juicy and well-built, with a solid core of lemon zest and pith notes stretching out through the finish, picking up gooseberry, jicama and verbena accents.
 
2015 Tormentoso, Paarl, Old Vine Cinsault $13
Cinsault has been grown in South Africa for many generations and blended with Cabernet and Shiraz to soften their tannins. Older, bush-vine vineyards planted without irrigation provide the grapes for this distinctive Cinsault, showing faint spice, cinnamon and red cherries on the nose, followed through by strawberries and cream on the palate. Its silky berry-fruit flavors are backed by earthy, cigar-box-aromas and soft oak tannins.
 
2014 Tormentoso, Paarl, Pinotage $13
Pinotage is the distinctly South African varietal.  This low-yielding, bush-vine vineyard gives Pinotage grapes with exceptionally concentrated flavor. The Tormentoso is a full-bodied Pinotage with hints of floral aromas and black cherries, followed by soft, rich tannins, along with plum and berry flavors.
 
2013 Chamonix, Franschhoek Rouge $20
35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot, 11% Malbec
The Chamounix Rouge shows a generous bouquet suggests black-currant, cedar with scents reminiscent of red berries, spices and vanilla. The wine is amply structured: full, round and smooth on the palate with rich fruit and length of flavor.
 
2014 Boekenhoutskloof, Franschhoek The Chocolate Block  $33
72% Syrah, 10% Grenache Noir, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cinsault, 1% Viognier
A South African smorgasbord, the Chocolate Block sources fruit from some of the best sites in South Africa.   The Syrah and Viognier comes from Malmesbury (Swartland) and is dry farmed to ensure it deep-rooted vines with concentrated flavor and tannin structure. The Grenache is sourced from Piekenierskloof (Citrusdal) with its very sandy soils and perfect terroir for ripening this grape varietal. The Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Franschhoek and the Cinsaut is from old bush vines on decomposed granite soils in Wellington. The 2014 is an exotic and vibrant vintage with an iron edge running alongside the inky core of prunes, mulberries, cloves and boasting floral notes. Bitter dark chocolate on the palate with cold soaked game, black fruit, hints of smoky minerality and oak spice.

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.

Saturday we are pouring some big shouldered wines from the Pacific Coast.  Come try these rich and robust wines from Left Coast Cellars, Dunham, Fidelitas, and Duckhorn.
2015 Left Coast Cellars, Pinot Gris, The Orchards $14
2014 Dunham Cellars, Three Legged Red.  $20
2013 Fidelitas,  4040 Red $25
2013 Duckhorn Vineyards, Paraduxx Red $30
2013 Dunham Cellars, Syrah $35

Sunday, the sun is suppose to peak out and we be tasting two wines from Sicily.  The Greeks, who settled in southern Italy and Sicily, exported the art of wine-growing to Italy. They were so impressed with the mild Italian climate, which was perfect for producing wines, that they called Italy, Oenotria, or the land of trained vines. Come by Sunday and train your palate. 

2014 Birgi, Kalura Frapatto $11
A cooperative wine from western Sicily with lighter, bright, fresh fruit flavors.

2012 Tornatore, Etna Rosso  $14
Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio
A fresh and pretty Etna wine with active aromas of white flowers and cherry notes. It is medium-bodied and has a mineral quality from the volcanic soils. Was $19 now $14

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 crusin’ down the coast and tasting some rich and robust wines from Washington, Oregon and California.  We gathered up wines that have full body and a lot of finesse.  We also managed to get a little special pricing for today’s tasting.  Come sample what the Pacific Coast has to offer.
 
2015 Left Coast Cellars Pinot Gris The Orchards $14
Located in Rickreall, Oregon just north of Salem, Left Coast Cellars is an estate winery with several distinct vineyards.  Originally planted in apples by the settlers of Holmes Gap, the Orchards block is now Pinot Gris vineyards.  The 45th parallel certainly does agree with this Gris. The wine has aromas of roses along with a citrus spiciness.  Citrus, straw and green apple unite in a harmonious balance that lingers long.
 
2014 Dunham Cellars, Three-Legged Red.  $20
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Syrah
The 2014 is an above average version of the Red Table from Dunham Cellars. The wine has aromatics of smoked brisket, creosote, black cherry and anise. The flavors are reminiscent of red cherry, anise, red currant and black olive. Lithe and polished, it finishes with a smooth mouthfeel.

2013 Fidelitas, 4040 Red $25
68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Fidelitas is a heavy hitting winery created by Charlie Hoppes focusing on Bordeaux varietals.  A plush Red Mountain Red, the 4040 has aromas of bright raspberry, red  cherry,  and  cola,  vanilla, sweet tobacco, and brown sugar. The palate has silky firm tannins, and red berries.
Was $30 now $25

2013 Dunham Cellars, Syrah $35
Dunham Cellars longtime winemaker Daniel Wampfler created this Washington Syrah from a blend of Lewis, Kenny Hill, XL & Phinny Hill vineyards, combining the state’s different growing regions.  The wine is loaded with aromas and flavors of red cherry, black raspberry, coffee grounds and sagebrush.  It has a wonderful tannic mineral streak that cuts through the richness.  It is a classic example of Washington Syrah.
 
2013 Duckhorn Vineyards, Paraduxx Red $30 (special tasting price)
73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 10% Zinfandel, 4% Petit Verdot
Paraduxx is Duckhorn’s Napa winery on the Silverado Trail that focus on blending. Blended around a core of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a structured and age-worthy expression of Napa juice.  Aged 18 months in oak (95% French, 5% American) of which 50% is new and 50% second use.  The nose offers deep, concentrated aromas of blackberry cobbler and rich brambly fruit. The palate is soft and rich, with balanced tannins framing lush layers of blueberry, blackberry and spice, all of which carry through to a long, supple finish.  Usually $48 we got a limited time price today on the Duxx.

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.