Summer is still with us.  So this Saturday we are pouring some fresh and refreshing French wine to complement the weather.  We’ve got dry bubbles from Alsace, a crisp Picpoul from the Languedoc, an organic Rosé from Gassac, as well as two bold reds to match up with the barbeque.  Swing by the shop and have a taste.
 
2013 Domaine Bechtold, Crémant d’Alsace $20
From organic and biodynamic vineyards, The Bechtold is equal parts Chardonnay and Auxerrois bottled with no dosage, and disgorged in May of 2015. The soul of raciness and finesse, this wine is electric and citrusy, with the earthy depth of the Auxerrois grape coming through on the palate, and a firm limestone minerality on the finish. 
 
2015 La Chapelle du Bastion, Picpoul de Pinet $12
This Picpoul or “lip stinger” grow on the slopes of the Languedoc facing the Mediterranean, and the sunny climate of the region gives the grapes wonderful ripeness.  The wine is dry, clean and fresh with yellow peach and lemony citrus aromas and flavors
 
2015 Mas de Daumas Gassac, Guilhem Rosé $14
50% Syrah, 50% Carignan
This organic rosé comes from 25-50 year old vines grown on limestone slopes along the Gassac River. It boasts a pleasant nose of crushed red flowers, cherry and redcurrant. The light, refreshing palate is cooling, with lovely red apple skin and peach notes. It is fruity but dry, with a crisp, lip-smacking finish.
 
2013 Château Massiac, Minervois  $18
75% Syrah, 25% Carignan
Massiac organic vineyard lies at the extreme south of the Massif Centrale, in the gently sloping foothills that lead to the Mediterranean coast which is not terribly distant. The Minervios is the flagship wine from the Château, with “enticing notes of juniper, rosemary and thyme as well as the savory flavors of wild berries and a hint of the ‘animal'”.
 
2012 Domaine Boisson, Cros de Romet  $25
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Domaine Boisson (owned by two brothers, Alain & Bruno who are advised in the cellar by the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape oenologist, Philippe Cambie) is one of the finest estates in Cairanne.  The 2012 Cros de Romet offers lots of spice, black raspberry, licorice and cherry blossom-like aromas and flavors, along with the classic melted licorice, roasted herbs and the background meatiness that’s always found in this cuvee.

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.

It is Seafair weekend here in Madrona.  While the crowds are clogging all the traffic down by the pits, we’ll be kicking back on the top of the hill drinking some fine wine.

Saturday, we are tasting an interesting collection of South American wines. These immigrants slipped across the border without any green cards.  Come drink them now before Trump gets elected.
Bodegas Cruzat, Reserve Extra Brut Valle de Uco, Mendoz, Argentina
2014 Vina Litoral, Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley, Chile 
2011 Ermisch Cellars, Erendira’s Rise Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 
2013 Elqui, Red Blend, Elqui Valley Chile
2013 Garage Wine Company, Carignan, Maule Valley Chile

Sunday, we’re pouring two newly discounted wines, good for the BBQ or any other occasion.

2014 Coral Wines Rosé $11
85% Mourvèdre, 15% Cinsault
A very dry Washington rosé still going strong with a year of age on it and a few dollars off the price.  Was $18 now $11

2012 Sasa Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo $12
A full, rich, Montepulciano with more going on than most.  Dark fruit, smoke and tar notes.  13% alcohol by volume. Was $16 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.

Chile and Argentina produce large volumes of wine, a lot of which is unexceptional, in a lot of ways like California.  But amidst the big producers you can find dedicated wine makers who are crafting distinct wines that reflect their specific vineyards.  This Saturday we’ll be tasting wines from five of these specialists.  Come discover them for yourself. 
 
Bodegas Cruzat, Reserve Extra Brut Valle de Uco, Mendoz, Argentina $20
75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay
Sourced from estate grown vines from 4,600 feet elevation, this rich/leesy extra brut has restrained aromas of strawberry, watermelon and fresh herbs. A faint touch of sweetness (six grams per liter) lifts the wine’s subtle red fruit and saline flavors, with a touch of minerality giving the back end a tactile quality.
 
2014 Vina Litoral, Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley, Chile  $13
Leyda Valley is Chile’s newest and most radical cool climate wine region, strongly influenced by the cooling effects of the Humboldt Current that flows up the country’s west coast from the Antarctic.  Litoral’s 2014 Sauvignon Blanc is an extraordinary example of for the grape and zone. It’s a wine with great marine influence whose verticality is aided by the cooling effect of the granite soils yet juicy and refreshing.
 
2011 Ermisch Cellars, Erendira’s Rise Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley  $35
After running Bodega Calle in Argentina for more than a decade, Kirk Ermisch wanted to try his hand at Pinot Noir, so he headed to Oregon and hooked up with Robert Brittan. The result is lithe and expressive, taut and focused, with cherry, mint and sassafras flavors playing against velvety tannins, finishing long. “
 
2013 Elqui, Red Blend, Elqui Valley Chile $16
52% Syrah, 37% Carmenere, 11% Malbec
A blend of 3 vineyards with alluvial soils rich in minerals deposited by the Elqui River and cooled by ocean breezes, the Elqui Red has a substantial nose offering plenty of dark fruits, some currant and a minty almost hint of menthol. it is juicy and vibrant with loads of suave tannin, earthy elements and elegant minerals, building into a smooth lingering finish.
 
2013 Garage Wine Company, Carignan, Maule Valley Chile$31
94% Carignan, 6% Mataro (Mourvèdre)
Boutique by design, GWCo makes a series of small Lots that are 8-17 barrels each.  The Carignan is a field blend, sourced from a small, dry farmed vineyard with centuries-old rootstock still farmed by hand and horse.  It has a serious nose mixing tree bark aromas, red and black fruit, licorice and subtle spices. The palate is fluid with good acidity and medium body.

The wine makers at Elqui Valley.

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’s cooling off here this weekend in Madrona (mid 70’s & Sunny is nothing to complain about).  And, we’ll be tasting some very cool wines to help with the weekend chill.

Saturday we have the locals from Locus Wines here to share their wares.  We’ll be pouring their:
2015 Dineen Vineyard Sémillon  
2015  Rosé  
2014 Modo Red 
2013 Yakima Valley Red 
2013 Keller Vineyard Syrah

Sunday, we’ll be pouring two crisp, dry whites to match the summer weather.

2012 Rojac Istra Malvazija  $12
From Slovenia, the Rojac is an organic, low sulfite, Malvasia that is totally dry, leaving just the great aromas: white peach, blossoms and citrus character.  Was $17 now $12

2014 Two Mountain Winery Riesling  $12
From Two Mountain’s estate Copland vineyard fruit, this Washington Riesling is truly a dry, crisp refreshing wine with a nice balance of pear, citrus, and minerals on the palate.

Stroll on in and join us.

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.

locus noun, [loh-kuhs]. 1. a place; locality. 2. a center or source, of activities or power.
 
locus wines:A winery headquartered just down the hill on Madrona Drive.  There Rich Burton & Ton Yazici plot out their designs to craft wines from out distinctive fruit from both touted and obscure vineyards in Eastern Washington. 
 
This Saturday Rich will be at the shop talking about his wines and of course pouring a taste to back up the talk.  Ton promises to have some little bites to go with (a cut above our normal spread to be sure.)  Together it is a day not to be missed.  Join us.
 
2015 Dineen Vineyard Sémillon  $15
A single vineyard Sémillon from Dineen vineyard.  Sémillon, resilient and hearty, loves the hot days and cool nights of Yakima Valley, producing plenty of acid to balance a soft creaminess and zesty lemon flavors.

2015  Rosé  $15
38% Cinsault, 31% Grenache, 31% Mourvèdre
This rose pulls off a balancing act between the classic Provence varietals. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault flourish in the Yakima Valley heat, producing a surprisingly crisp, well-balanced wine with complex fruit flavors, with a bone dry finish.   12.5% alcohol by volume
 
2014 Modo Red  $15
59% Merlot, 25% Malbec, 15% Syrah
Locus’  everyday drinker.   Merlot is definitely the power plyer of this blend with a bouquet of blueberries and a hint of ground nutmeg. On the palate, brambly blackberries and dark cherries morph into subtle tobacco, cedar, and leather. It has bright acidity and surprisingly gripping tannins round out this easy-drinking red.
 
2013 Yakima Valley Red  $23
68% Syrah, 32% Grenache
The Rhone-style blend from high-elevation fruit offers typical Rhone flavors with Eastern Washington signatures (the good kind) all over it with aromas of sage & lavender, juicy fruit nots of blood orange and dark cherry and a cardamom spicy finish.

2013 Keller Vineyard Syrah $35
From a cooler vineyard in Naches Heights, the Keller Syrah shows  plums and crushed violets on the nose. Initial cassis and blackberry flavors lead to star anise on the finish.   Smooth tannins and great acidity round out this very unique Syrah.

Dog Gone Good Wine!

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 clouds are supposed to give way to sunshine this weekend here in Madrona.  And here at Madrona Wine we are headed to the Mediterranean.  Come along with us.

Saturday we are pouring some of our Spanish favorites from Torre Muga and Juan Gil.
2014 Bodegas Shaya, Arindo Verdejo 
2015 Muga, Rioja Blanco  
2015 Muga Rosado
2013 Juan Gill, Can Blau
2011 Muga Reserva 

Sunday we sail for Italy.

2015 Terre Margaritelli,  Rosato di Torgiano Venturosa $15
A small-run Sangiovese Rosé from Umbria, the Venturosa has strawberry fruit and a long lingering finish.

2014 Degani Valpolicella Classico  $15
45% Corvina, 20% Molinara, 35% Rondinella
From Veneto, the Degani has aroma and flavor of dark fruits — plum and cherry. It is medium-bodied, dry, with good persistence, intensity and a bit of tannic roughness to make you pay attention.

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 pouring wines from two of our favorite Spanish producers.  We have the core wines from Torre Muga, a classic Rioja winery that seems to do everything right (for instance they have their own master cooper and three in-house barrel makers to get their barrels just the way they want them.)  We also have two wines from Bodegas Juan Gil who specializes on very modern but delicious wines.  Come by and see what they have going.
 
2014 Bodegas Shaya, Arindo Verdejo  $10
Bodegas Shaya is part of the Gil Family of wineries and is located in Rueda.  The wine is hand harvested and fermented in stainless steel tanks on its lees. It is a refreshing white with lemon, peach and fragrant floral aromas, a lemon pucker and notes of pear, melon, and apples.
 
2015 Muga, Rioja Blanco  $15
90% Viura, 10% Malvasía
Mugas Blanco ferments in new French-oak casks and then rests on the lees for 3 months before bottling.  On the nose the fruit (mainly citrus and green apple) is “sweetened” by pastry aromas from the fine lees and spices from the Nevers oak.  On the palate, the attack is at the same time mineral and silky, with pineapple, scrub land and vanilla.

2015 Muga Rosado $13
60% Garnacha, 30% Viura and 10% Tempranillo.
The Grenache a for this rosé is grown on north facing slopes , more sheltered from the sun and much cooler so as to preserve better the notes of fresh, sharp fruit, citrus and green apple aromas hints of apricot and faint reminders of pastries. It combines sweetness, freshness and acidity.
 
2011 Muga Reserva  $25
70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo & Graciano.
A traditional styled Rioja, the Reserva is aged for 6 months in wooden vats before spending 2 years in 60% new French and American oak.  It’s then bottled (unfiltered) one year before release.  Its rich layered fruit is smooth-textured and concentrated with notes of dark fruit, bitter chocolate and spices such as pepper, vanilla and a little mountain scrub.  The attack is broad and long, with an evolution in the mouth which spreads silky and mineral sensations before concluding with sweet tannins which still have a bit of “grip” and will benefit from some “time out” for their full integration.
 
2013 Juan Gill, Jumilla Red Wine  $16
Monastrell
Juan Gil Jiménez built his first winery in 1916.  Now in its 4th generation this family winery runs a collection of wineries in different regions of Spain.  The Jumilla Red comes from old vineyards with chalky, stony soils ideal for the growing of the Monastrell.  It is a big shouldered Monastrell, rich without being jammy, structured without being too tannic.

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 our celebrations have been dampened by the attack in Nice, we’ll still be pouring French wines all weekend long in honor of Bastille Day. 

Saturday we have a great line up from our friends at Barrique Imports, featuring:
2014 Grand Fief Cormeraie Muscadet
2015 Nature de Roubie, Rosé
2011 Maison Lou Dumont, Savigney lès Beaune
2013 Domaine des Amphores, Saint Joseph
2012 Domaine Labranche Laffont,  Madiran  

Sunday, we are showing off two French wines from the south.

2015 Chateau d’Eau  $10
Cinsault Rosé
A crisp and elegant Languedoc rosé from the signature grape for Pink.

Eric Jamet Le Sang du Peuple  $12
50% Grenache, 50% Syrah
A thick and jammy Rhône blend with lots of black berry and cherry fruit and a bit of toasty notes to keep the blood of the people pumping.

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.