It is perfect weather this weekend here in Madrona with highs in the mid to upper 70’s.  Here at Madrona Wine we are cooling off and even the reds will have a bit of chill on them.

Saturday we’ll have a lineup of fresh and crisp wines from Germany and Austria that are perfect for summer weather.  
2014 Biohof Pratsch, Grünier Veltliner $14  1ltr
2014 Dr. Heyden, Silvaner Trocken Alte Reben  $13
2014 Paul Anheuser, Schlossbockelheimer Konigfels Riesling Kabinett  $16
2016 Schafer Dry Rose $13
2013 Biohof Pratsch, Zweigelt  $14  1ltr

Sunday we’ll have two French wines to beat the heat.

2015 Chateau Bizard Blanc d’Amour  $13
40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Viognier, 10% Marsanne, 10% Rousanne
A full and resinous Rhone white with lots of pear and apple notes. Who doesn’t love d’Amour?

2014 Le Fay d’Homme La Part du Colibri,
Gamay  $12
La Part du Colibri means the part of the hummingbird from an ancient Indian parable meaning that even if you do just a little bit but the best you can, you contribute to a better place. This pure Gamay is from organic 40-year-old vines and is a nice balance of fresh fruit and minerality and goes great with a slight chill on it.

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 North — Northern Europe that is.  We’ll be tasting some cooler climate grapes from Germany and Austria that are perfect for summer weather.  Think cool and crisp with refreshing acid.  Plus, you can pronounce such words as Zweigelt, Niederösterreich, Königsfels and Schlossbockelheime, all which roll off the tongue after a few sips on a hot afternoon.

2014 Biohof Pratsch, Grünier Veltliner Weinviertel DAC $17
Biohof Pratsch is an organically certified winery in the appellation of Niederösterreich in Austria. The family business goes back about 8 generations. This Grünier has aromas of herbs, nuts and pepper, followed by lots of fruit and animating acidity.

2014 Dr. Heyden, Silvaner Trocken Alte Reben  $13
From the Rheinhessen in Germany, this Silvaner comes from 50 year old vines.  This is a great introduction to Silvaner or a fine example even if you are old friends.   Lemongrass and herb notes lend a zesty herbaceousness to this medium-bodied wine. It’s dry on the palate, with tart but concentrated white peach and grapefruit flavors accented by a dusty, smoky minerality.

2014 Paul Anheuser, Schlossbockelheimer Konigfels Riesling Kabinett  $16
The Anheuser family has been making wine for 14 generations (one black sheep spun off at one point to make beer in America)  The Königsfels (‘King’s fields’) is a single vineyard site solely owned by the Anheuser family It sits on the upper Nahe river where it’s incredibly steep rocky slopes made of porphyry (a type of igneous) rock makes viticulture incredibly challenging, but very rewarding as its southerly slope as well as moderating temperature and reflective powers of the river make complex, concentrated wines There’s a particularly lean, light-footed quality to this minerally off-dry Riesling. The palate boasts fresh lemon and lime flavors shaded in savory tones of earth, dust and bee pollen. The finish is long and lemony.

2016 Schafer Dry Rose $13
Pinot Noir
The Schäfer family has been cultivating vines since 1709.  This Pinot Rosé comes from their organic vineyards in the Rheinhessen.  A delicate and dry Rose featuring aromas and flavors of wild strawberries, peach and pear backed by crisp, refreshing acidity.

2013 Biohof Pratsch, Zweigelt  $14  1ltr
Certified organic, Pratsch’s Zweigelt has dark red fruit aromas of black currant, spices, and cherry.  It has raspberry, cherry, spices and black pepper on the palate with well-integrated acidity.  It is a great summer red that can take a bit of chill on a warm day.

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.

Independence Day is Tuesday, and this has the feel of a long weekend (even if you have to work Monday)  Here at Madrona Wines we busy tasting some great wines to get ready for the 4th.  Please note: We’ll be closed Monday and Tuesday, some come in and stock up early.

This Saturday we’ll be tasting diverse mix of Spanish wines along with a dash of Slovenian Zellen (just because we can.)  It is a mixed and delicious line up.
Falma de Or, Cava  $12
2014 Guerila, Zelen $16
2016 Txakoli Rezabal Rosé $15
2014 Lar de Maia $16
2011 Pardas, Negre Franc  $20

This Sunday we’ve rounded up a couple of West Coast wines to round out your Independence Day. We’ll be showcasing a Rosé from Oregon and a big ol’ California Cabernet. Come celebrate the celebration of our union.

2016 Lorelle Pinot Noir Rosé  $11
A lighter Pinot Noir Rosé with cherry and blackberry fruit and a medium-to-light body.  Was $15 now $11

2014 Twenty Bench Napa Cabernet  $20
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Malbec
A correct Napa Cab with a ripe black cherry core, twining with blackberry syrup, a subtle minerality, with the smokiness of charred French oak on the nose. The mouth is creamy and dense, with layered of juicy berries, the darkest of dark chocolates, rich espresso and black pepper.

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’ll be tasting diverse mix of Spanish wines along with a dash of Slovenian Zellen (just because we can).  It is a mixed and delicious line up.
The Countries: Spain, Slovenia
The Regions:  Vipavska Dolina, Castilla y Leon, Catalonia, Getariako Txakolina, Penedes
The Grapes:  Xarello, Macabeu, Parellada, Zellen, Hondarrabi Zuri, Hondarrabi Belza, Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sumoll

The Wines:
Falma de Or, Cava  $12
50% Xarello, 30% Macabeu, 20% Parellada
This crisp Cava spends 14 months secondary fermentation on lees giving it a bit of richness along with its apple, pear and citrus fruit notes.

2014 Guerila, Zelen $16
The Guerila winery sits just over the Slovenian border from Friuli.  They practice spontaneous fermentation and do little or no filtration.  Zellen is an historical varietal of the region.  It has herbal aromas of bay, rosemary, thyme combined with fruity and floral notes. It is a delicate, mineral wine with freshness and smoothness.

2016 Txakoli Rezabal Rosé $15
Hondarrabi Zuri, Hondarrabi Belza
This vivacious rose from the Basque region in northern Spain has lip-smacking acidity, wild strawberry, sea salt and fresh grapefruit impressions that make for a delicious thirst quencher.

2014 Lar de Maia $16
75% Tempranillo, 25% Grenache
Lar means home and Maia is the goddess of Spring.  The grapes are grown in small organically farmed plots.  The wine is aged in French and American oak barrels for 16 months, then in the bottle for two years. It is a juicy wine with red fruit aromas, blended with hints of vanilla, coconut and licorice.

2011 Pardas, Negre Franc  $20
60% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Sumoll
A rich and full Bordeaux styled wine from a small artisanal winery Penedes with ripe fruit aromas with a hint of creamy oak.  The palate is complex, with chocolate, mineral and a full mouth of delicious fruit exhibiting toastiness and ripe tannins.  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.

It is going to be a toasty weekend here in Madrona.  You can pick your favorite weather site to guess what the temperature is predicted. But here at Madrona Wine we have a lot of pink in the forecast. The air conditioner is at the ready if that isn’t enough to make you chill out.

Saturday is our Rosé Roundup.  We have five very distinct Rosés lined up for France, Italy and Greece. Come find out which one cools you off the best.
2016 Routas, Provence Rosé  $14
2016 Galantin, Bandol Rosé  $20
2016 La Spinetta, Il Rosé di Casanova  $20
2016 Oenops, Apla Rosé  $18
Fiorini, Lambrusco Corte degli Attimi  $15

Sunday we’re pouring two very cool wines from Greece, a delightful rosé of Xinomavro, followed by another obscure Greek grape, Liatiko.

2016 Diofili Xinomavro Rosé  $13
From Greece this very dry rose offers great acidity, intense raspberry and strawberry flavors with a crisp mineral after taste.

2014 Douloufakis, Liatiko  $15
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 reminded me of a pleasant potpourri with cinnamon sticks. 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.

Summer is here and it’s time to break out the pink wine.  But which one?  It is hard to decide.  This Saturday we’re making it a bit easier by pouring five very different Rosés to tickle your palate and take the heat off the summer afternoon.  Come by and find a favorite.
 
2016 Routas, Provence Rosé  $14
45% Cinsault, 35% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Freshly cut watermelon, ripe peach aromas and floral notes lead to a palate alive with wild strawberries and hints of mineral notes and a crisp acidity. 

2016 Galantin, Bandol Rosé  $20
50% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache, 25% Cinsault
Classic Provençal rosé with delightful fresh berry fruit flavors and a crisp finish. Mineral and complex nose of red fruit and citrus.  Organic.
 
2016 La Spinetta, Il Rosé di Casanova  $20
Sangiovese
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.
 
2016 Oenops, Apla Rosé  $18
Cabernet Sauvignon, Xinomavro
A top quality Greek Rosé with distinctive fruit flavors (strawberry and cherry) and tomato, typical of the Xinomavro variety,  rich mouth feel, balanced acidity and nerve. 
 
Fiori, Lambrusco Corte degli Attimi  $15
Lambrusco di Sorbra
A Rosé Lambrusco — Light ruby red in the glass with a floral nose. The palate is dry, full, rich and bursting with red fruit and violets.

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 Father’s Day weekend and the Summer Solstice is quickly approaching.  Here at Madrona Wines we’ll be toasting Dad and the long evenings with a full line up of wine tasting.

Saturday, we’re pouring wine from Spain’s two DOCs — Rioja and Priorat.
2016 ElCoto, Rioja Blanco $12
2016 El Coto, Rosado $12
2013 El Coto, Crianza $13
2011 Beronia, Reserva  $18
2014 Marco Abella, Loidana Priorat $35

Sunday we’re tasting a pair of Washington Wines that will make Dad happy.

2016 Sleight of Hand Magician’s Assistant Rosé  $15
Cabernet Franc
The Magician’s Assistant is a single-vineyard 100 percent Cabernet Franc, with strawberry, black raspberry, and dried spice aromas. It’s round and balanced on the palate, where intense black cherry, strawberry and crisp citrus notes carry through to the finish; peppery-herbaceous hints add complexity.

2013 Kestrel Winemakers Select Mourvedre $20
From Olsen Vineyards, this big juicy Washington Mourvedre has aromas of coffee, herb, licorice and pepper followed by a mouthful of dark cherry fruit.   And it is half price.  Was $40 now $20

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.

Denominación de Origen Calificada, is the highest category in Spanish wine, reserved for regions with above-average grape prices and particularly stringent quality controls. Rioja was the first Spanish region to be awarded DOC status in 1991, followed by Priorat in 2003. These are the only two regions considered “above” DO status.  This Saturday we’ll be trying several wines from Rioja and one from Priorat.  Come see what difference the C makes.
 
2015 El Coto, Rioja Blanco $12
100% Viura
Viura makes fruity wines with floral notes and notable acidity.  The El Coto Blanco is intensely aromatic, well balanced, with body and the fruit has a refreshing tart character. Pleasant acidity combines perfectly with an exquisite aftertaste of flowers, fruit and fine herbs.

2016 El Coto, Rosado $12
Tempranillo, Garnacha
This rosé is produced by bleeding of the free-run juice from the grapes. The wine has aromas of fresh strawberries and caramel. On the palate, it is fresh as well as fruit focused.
 
2013 El Coto, Crianza $13
Tempranillo
El Cotos Crianza ages for 12 months in select 225 liter American oak barrels and 6months in the bottle before leaving the winery. In the wine glass it presents a clean, bright cherry color with a garnet edge. On the nose, it maintains the freshness of the fruit, with notes of vanilla and the most emblematic aromas of toasted oak. On the palate it is silky and persistent presenting a taste of well blended spice.
 
2011 Beronia, Reserva  $18
94% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano, 2% Mazuelo
The Beronia Reserva is aged in mixed oak barrels of American staves and French tops for 20 months to allow a paused and harmonic evolution. The American oak gives a sweet character of vanilla and coconut while the French oak gives spice, making for the perfect balance. It is then aged in bottle for 18 months before release.  The wine has an attractive nose with candied fruits and plum marmalade in perfect harmony with sweet aromas such as chocolate. On the palate, the characteristic Tempranillo notes of cherry and strawberry are accompanied by licorice, balanced acidity and silky tannins.
 
2014 Marco Abella, Loidana Priorat $35
44% Grenache, 38% Carignan, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon
The Loidana ages 12 months in French Oak barrels from five different coopers.  It is a blend of the Priorat’s two indigenous varieties, Grenache and Carignan with Cabernet Sauvignon adding structure and depth. This wine is smooth on the palate and remains harmonious to the finish. Loidana offers notes of red fruit and black berries with hints of spices.

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 typical summer weekend here in Seattle, with the sun playing peekaboo from behind the clouds.  This weekend at Madrona Wine we have the bases covered with a lineup of wines for those sun showers as well as couple hearty reds to brighten the greys.

Saturday is National Rosé Day!  I’m not making this up.  National Rosé Day is a very silly holiday but one we don’t mind celebrating year-round.  Today we’ll be pouring two Rosés as well as several other wines that fit the summer season.

2016 Stift Gottweig, Grüner Veltliner $14
2016 Bodegas Cepa 21 Hito Ribera del Duero Rosado  $15
2016 Domaine Andre Neveu, Fricambault Sancerre Rosé  $25
2015 Domaine Piron, Beaujolais Villages $18
2015 Domaine Olivier Hillaire Cotes du Rhone Vieille Vignes  $18

Sunday we’re pouring two special deals from Saviah Cellars.  Both are dark bold reds.  Both from Walla Walla.  And, both on serious discount. Come snatch them up while the deal lasts.

2013 Saviah Walla Walla Malbec  $20
From a blend of three outstanding vineyards, the wine has classic Malbec aromas and flavors of blue fruit, black fruit, savory spice, and cocoa.  A big velvety mouthfeel with savory minerality and a long delicious finish. Was $30 Now $20

2013 Saviah Walla Walla Petit Verdot  $20
2013 Walla Walla Valley Malbec is blend of three outstanding vineyards. The wine showcases the best Malbec has to offer. Inky purple color, classic Malbec aromas and flavors of blue fruit, black fruit, savory spice, and cocoa.  A big velvety mouthfeel with savory minerality and a long delicious finish. Was $30, Now $20

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.

What makes a great summer wine?  There is no precise definition, but one generally wants something a bit fresh and lively that refreshes the palate.  Want to be more specific?  We’ve picked five wines we think suit the bill this summer.  Stop by on Saturday and choose your own definition.

2016 Stift Gottweig, Grüner Veltliner $14
The Stift Goettweig’s high elevation Grüner Veltliner vineyards in Kremstal (all facing slightly to the north) produces gorgeously precise wines with finesse and tension.  The SGGV is animated in the nose, with notes of citrus fruits, red apples and rosewood, and on the palate fresh, fruity, and expressive with good length.

2016 Bodegas Cepa 21, Hito Ribera del Duero Rosado  $15
Tempranillo
The word “HITO” means milestone, a stone post, sometimes carved, used to indicate direction or distance on roads or to delimit fields. This Rosato has great aromatic intensity with aromas of ripe red fruit (strawberry and gooseberries).  The palate is full of juicy red fruit and citrus touches.

2016 Domaine Andre Neveu, Fricambault Sancerre Rosé  $25
Pinot Noir
From one of our favorite Sancerre producers, this Pinot Rosé is very attractive with light & aromatic strawberry flavors & a bone dry finish.  Wonderfully light and fruity, this delicious Sancerre rose is made from Pinot Noir grapes providing delicious aromas of fresh strawberries. Crisp and dry on the finish with classic Loire Valley minerality.

2015 Domaine Piron, Beaujolais Villages $18
Dominique Piron’s oldest known ancestor was born in Morgon in 1590. Since then, there have been 14 generations of wine growers in the family.   Their Villages level Beaujolais has perfumed red-berry fruits and balanced acidity, it is a savory wine that is ripe and ready to drink.

2015 Domaine Olivier Hillaire Cotes du Rhone Vieille Vignes  $18
60% Grenache, 40% Syrah
Domaine Olivier Hillaire is a small 23-acre estate. Olivier’s Old Vine Cotes Du Rhone is a blend of from vines located just across the Rhone River from Châteauneuf-Du-Pape.  The wine has intense fruit mixed with spicy flavors, fine tannins, and a very beautiful aromatic persistence.

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.