New Years is drawing almost upon us, but before it gets here we are going to be toasting with some very tasty wine all this week.  Come raise a glass with us.

Tuesday, December 27^th

2014 Double Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon ($20)
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 2% Malbec
A full rich Horse Heaven Hills red blend. A good value Washington wine.

We are closing at 6pm on Saturday and will be closed Sunday for New Years.

Happy New Year from Jim and Mark

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.

Christmas is drawing neigh, but before it gets here we are going to be toasting the Holidays with some very tasty wine this Friday and Saturday.  Brave the x-mas slush and come raise a glass with us.

Friday, December 23^rd

2010 Cune Gran Reserva  $33
85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5%, Mazuelo
#22 on the top 100 list “This generous red shows a traditional character, with leafy, dried herb, tea and spicy notes framing dried cherry, licorice and leather flavors. Firm tannins and balsamic acidity impart structure. There’s plenty of depth here, culminating in a juicy, spicy finish. Drink now through 2025.”–94pts Wine Spectator.

Saturday, December 24^th

2012 Vincent Morey, Chassagne Montrachet Les Baudines 1er, $50
Chardonnay
The 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru les Baudines has a more resinous, waxy bouquet compared to the Champ Gain, with touches of apple peel and fresh pear coming through later. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, vibrant citric fruit and a dash of lemongrass lending spice to the finish. –Wine Advocate

2009 Terre del Barolo Barbaresco Riserva  $25
Nebbiolo
A Riserva Barbaresco which sees 4 years of aging before release.  Notes of ripe black cherry, underbrush, white and black pepper alongside drying tannins.

2014 Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel  $30
Classic Passo Zin — Black cherry, stewed plum, exotic barrel spice. Ripe bramble on entry, firm acid, gravelly mineral, medium-full body, round tannins, integrated oak finish.

We are closing at 6pm on Saturday and will be closed Sunday and Monday before gearing up for New Years.

Happy Holidays from Jim and Mark

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 are pouring great things all week! Stop in as have a sip.

Tuesday, December 20th

2010 Dowsett Devotion     $20
37% Syrah, 32% Grenache and 31% Mourvedre.
The wine has intense primary black fruit and spice aromas. Wonderful balance and complexity fill the palate with berries, black pepper and vanilla. Was $30 now $20

Wednesday, December 21st

2010 Colpetrone Montefalco $20
Sagrantino
A dense, thickly layered wine with great body and strong flavors of blackberry liqueur, roasted hazelnuts, plum sauce, and a smoky touch of incense. The dark finish is accented with a rustic earth note and features sharply contoured tannins that are going to give this wine a good long life in the cellar.

Thursday, December 22nd

2013 Fidelitas 4040 Red Blend $30
68% Cab Sauv., 29% Merlot, 3% Cab Franc
A plush Red Mountain Red — aromas of bright raspberry, red cherry, and cola, vanilla, sweet tobacco, and brown sugar. The palate has silky firm tannins, and red berries.

Friday, December 23rd

2010 Cune Gran Reserva $33
85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5%, Mazuelo
#22 on the top 100 list “This generous red shows a traditional character, with leafy, dried herb, tea and spicy notes framing dried cherry, licorice and leather flavors. Firm tannins and balsamic acidity impart structure. There’s plenty of depth here, culminating in a juicy, spicy finish. Drink now through 2025.”–94pts Wine Spectator.

Saturday, December 24th

2009 Terre del Barolo Barbaresco Riserva $25
Nebbiolo
A Riserva Barbaresco which seew 4 years of aging before release. Notes of ripe black cherry, underbrush, white and black pepper alongside drying tannins.

2014 Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel $30
Classic Passo Zin — Black cherry, stewed plum, exotic barrel spice. Ripe bramble on entry, firm acid, gravelly mineral, medium-full body, round tannins, integrated oak finish.

Happy Holidays from Jim and Mark

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 crisp weekend here in Madrona.  But here at Madrona Wine our spirits are warm and bright.  

Saturday, we are pouring an array of Holiday Wines.  Whether for a present or a dinner party, these wines should fit the bill.
2015 Apolloni Vineyrads,  L Pinot Gris
2014 Trisaetum, Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
2015 Chateaux Les Millaux, Bordeaux Rouge 
2014 Cor Cellars Momentum  (already gift wrapped)
2011 Caparzo, Brunello

This next week we’ll be opening some special wines to make the holidays merrier. It starts Sunday (the last Sunday we will be open this year) with a very special  Châteauneuf .  It is a great present for any wine lover.

2012 La Nerthe, Châteauneuf du Pape  $61
44% Grenache, 37% Syrah, 14% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault
Château La Nerthe is one of Châteauneuf’s oldest estates and a benchmark producer of the region. Located in the heart of the AOC, the 225 acres of Château La Nerthe’s vineyards are located in a single block around the chateau and have been certified organic since 1998. The classic Châteauneuf terroir of the famous galettes (large, round stones) dominate the on average 40 year old vineyards.  The 2012 is juicy and lively, with good energy coursing through the core of plum, anise, blackberry and fruitcake flavors, while sweet spice and juniper hints fill the finish.

We are closed on Monday but will reopen Tuesday with a full week of more great wine to try. 

Happy Holidays from Jim and Mark

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.

Whether it is for presents or just a bottle with dinner or a party, the Holiday Season requires a lot of wine. This Saturday we’ll be pouring an array of wines to fill the gap. Stop in and see if you don’t find what you are looking for.
 
2015 Apolloni Vineyrads, L Pinot Gris $19
This distinct Pinot Gris from the Willamette is aged in Acacia barrels rather than the typical oak. The wine has a lovely perfume and tropical fruit. Nicely balanced, it offers a full palate and texture, followed by a crisp, refreshing finish.
 
2014 Trisaetum, Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $30
This Pinot Noir is a blend from Trisaetum’s three estate vineyards. The wine has a captivating perfume of dark cherry, blueberry, sandalwood, and Asian five spice. Deeply complex flavors of cocoa and cherry are layered with savory notes of star anise and chai tea spice. Vibrant acidity is balanced by smooth, finely-textured tannins and a creamy mouthfeel, lingering with great finesse on the lengthy finish.
 
2015 Chateaux Les Millaux, Bordeaux Rouge  $13
Chateau Les Millaux is located between Fronsac and St-Emilion.  All Merlot this smooth Bordeaux offers up generous notes of cassis, dried currants, and sour cherry.  Hints of smoking oak and cedar spice grace the nose and palate while notes of sweet vanilla and white pepper dominate the hearty finish.
 
2014 Cor Cellars Momentum  $20
42% Petit Verdot, 30% Merlot, 22% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Franc
Cor Cellars is located in Lyle, Washington on the Columbia Gorge. The new vintage of the Momentum puts the Petit Verdot in the forefront. The wine is dark and smooth with lots of nuance lurking at the bottom of the pool.
 
2011 Caparzo, Brunello $40
Sangiovese
The 2011 Caparzo was a big scorer with the critics and it always has high marks with us.  “The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a terrific wine for the year. Sweet red cherry, plum, tobacco, mint, sweet spices and orange peel are all front and center. This is a gorgeous 2011 Brunello that represents everything the vintage can be; open-knit, accessible and polished.” –94pts Vinous

BUT WAIT – THERES MORE!

Can’t wait until the Saturday tasting? We’ll have a bunch more stuff open between now and Christmas! Friday the 16th we’ll be pouring a pair of Bordeaux (a white and a red) from Barons de Rothschild.  Both are $15 and excellent party 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.

We are thawing out from the big blizzard here in Madrona.  To get the chill out of the bones we have some great wines open for tasting this weekend here at Madrona Wines.  They are all French and all delicious.

Saturday we are popping Burgundy.  We’ll be pouring 5 examples of the 2013 vintage (including two Premier Cru wines.)  We’ll be decanting the reds early to get them to open up.
2013 Vincent Girardin, Bourgogne Blanc, Cuvee St Vincent 
2013 Matrot, Bourgogne 
2013 Montanet Thoden, Bourgogne Garance 
2013 Vincent Morey, Maranges Fussieres 1er cru 
2013 Vincent Girardin,  Savigny-Les-Beaune, 1er Cru Les Serpentières 

Sunday we’ll be pouring two wine from the south of France. That’s all day from 11 to 5.

2015 Chateau Bizard, Blanc d’Amour  $13
40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Viognier, 10% Marsanne, 10% Roussanne
A full and resinous Rhone white with lots of pear and apple notes.

2013 Château D’Oupia, Minervois Tradition $12
50% Carignan, 40% Syrah, 10% Grenache
This this old-vine Minervois (from 50+-year-old vineyards) is highly structured with lots of  dark fruits and an elegant and balanced finish.

Sunday, we are having the artist reception for our current show Floralscapes, Sandy Haight
Her original Watercolors and as framed giclee prints are brightening the shop through the rest of December.  The reception is 3 to 5.  Come meet the artist.

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.

Whether it is the soil, the climate or the number of years they have been doing it, but Burgundy produces the best Pinot Noir in the world.  Unfortunately, due to several reasons (small parcels, low yields, demand exceeding supply) the wines are often very expensive.  They also need a bit of time in bottle before they are ready to drink.  This Saturday we are going to try and buck all that.  We’ll be pouring 5 examples of the 2013 vintage that are all a bit of a bargain.  We’ll be decanting the reds early to get them to open up.  Come see how we do. 
 
2013 Vincent Girardin, Bourgogne Blanc, Cuvee St. Vincent  $16
Chardonnay
The 2013 St. Vincent Cuvee Blanc is everything you want in a Bourgogne Blanc.  A fresh and elegant wine whose floral and fruity (citrus, peach) notes combine with mineral notes and a good length.  Was $21 now $16
 
2013 Matrot, Bourgogne  $18
Pinot Noir
A nose of red fruits, mainly strawberries. Good supple texture, round and creamy with some cranberry flavors. Exhibits good freshness with nice acidity which balances the wine. Excellent for a Bourgogne Rouge.  Was $23 Now $18
 
2013 Montanet Thoden, Bourgogne Garance  $20
Pinot Noir
A drinking great now Burgundy from Kermit Lynch with full supple fruit and smooth tannins. Organic.  Was $32 now $20 
 
2013 Vincent Morey, Maranges Fussieres 1er cru  $35
Pinot Noir
Vincent Morey is keen on lees-stirring which lends his wines an engaging plumpness.  The Fussieres is sourced from two premier cru parcels in Maranges. It is usually a full, rich, age worthy example with an intense mineral core.

2013 Vincent Girardin, Savigny-Les-Beaune, 1er Cru Les Serpentières  $35
Pinot Noir
Premier grapes from a single vineyard in Beaune.  The Serpentières is a full rich wine with plenty of fruit and good structure. Its crisp cherry, strawberry and spice flavors pick up a mineral accent–lean and firm, presenting a lingering aftertaste of spice and chalk.  Was $45 now $35

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 rolled into December this last week in Madrona.  The skies are grey and the temperature looks to drop this weekend.  But here at Madrona wine we’ll be keeping warm with some great tastings.

Saturday we are pouring the well aged wines of López de Heredia as well as several other Spanish vignerons.
2006 Lopez de Heredia, Rioja, Viña Gravonia 
2008 Lopez de Heredia,  Viña Cubillo Crainza
2012 Hnos Perez Pascuas, Vina Pedrosa  Crianza
2015 Eira dos Mouros, Riberiro Blanco 
2013 Castell del Remei, Gotim Bru Costers del Segre 

Sunday, we are showing two wines from Italy. The white comes from the Northeast, near Verona, while it’s smoky older brother hails from Sicily.

2015 Suavia Suave Classico  $15
Garganega
A rich full flavored Soave from one of the best producers. Fresh aromas of apple, pear and almond balance clean minerality and a hint of fresh herb. Crisp and refreshing on the palate, the flavors and aromas build toward a harmonious and lingering finish.

2015 La Favola Nero  $12
This dark smoky organic Nero d’Avola from Sicily has dark berry fruit with a dark bitter chocolate finish.

Special Champagne Tasting
Sunday, 5:30pm  $25
We have a few spots left for our Sunday evening tasting of Grower Champagnes. We think these wines show what sets Champagne off from the other bubbles.  Let us know if you want to 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.

Spain is a land of contrasts and Spanish wines are no different.  They are masters of young fresh wines and are also masters of letting wines age and develop complexity.  Join us Saturday as we taste a couple of wines from Lopez de Heredia one of the masters of aging.  For 139 years, four generations of the López de Heredia family have devoted themselves to producing exceptional and unique wines. They are masterpieces which the founder of the company, Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, defined in the late nineteenth century as the “Supreme Rioja”. We’ll also have some young fresh youngsters to put up against them.

2015 Eira dos Mouros, Riberiro Blanco  $15
Treixadura
A lively white from Galacia in the northwest of Spain.  This Treixadura  is fresh, vivid and bright with notes of exotic fruits and beautiful minerality. It has lovely purity of fruit and a spicy bite on the finish.

2006 Lopez de Heredia, Rioja, Viña Gravonia  $25
Viura
The Gravonia come from 45-year-old Viura vines in poor and stony soil. It has aged 4 years in barrel and 6 years in bottle before release.  The wine is complex, nutty and truly unique with notes of petrol, beeswax and chamomile.

2013 Castell del Remei , Gotim Bru Costers del Segre  $14
45% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacha, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Syrah
Castell del Remei was built in 1780 in Penelles (Costers del Segre) and was the first Catalan winery to sell its “aged wine” on the market.  The wine has complex aromas of red fruit preserves with hints of toffee, sweet spices and toasted notes.  It has a long finish with notes of dried fruit ad lingering tannins.

2008 Lopez de Heredia,  Viña Cubillo Crainza $23
65% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacho, 5% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano
From the vineyard Viña Cubillas, whose vines average 40 years of age.  The soil is from the tertiary age and is a mixture of clay and limestone. The wine is aged for three years, being racked twice per year before bottling.  It then rests in bottle until they think it is ready for release. The palate is tight but well sculpted and the tannins will surely mellow further with time, allowing the beguiling mixture of fruit and savory notes to rise from the depths.  For any other winery this would be a Gran Reserva, for Lopez de Heredia it is labeled Crianza.

2012 Hnos Perez Pascuas, Vina Pedrosa  Crianza $30
Tempranillo
Hnos Perez Pascuas began in 1980, when three brothers, Benjamín, Manuel and Adolfo Pérez Pascuas, Started making wine out of the vineyards owned by their father, Mauro,  The Vina Pedrosa spends 18 months in barrel and then 6 months in the bottle.  A more modern styled wine it is a meaty, sumptuous and characterful wine with abundant fruit, and solid layers of tannin and toasted oak.

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.

Sunday, December 4th we’re having our Annual Champagne Tasting where we’ll be pouring the most interesting Champagnes that we’ve tasted this season.  These wines jumped out of the glass at us as we were trying quite a few bubbles. The tasting starts at 5:30pm.  We’ll have some appetizers to go with and still get you home for Sunday dinner.  The cost is s $25 (plus tax).  Space is limited so contact us if you want to attend.

Tribaut–Schloesser,  Brut Origine  $38
40% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier
A low dosage blend that sits for 3 years on its lees and then blended with 15% of back vintages .  The Tribaut has aromas of dry fruit, apples, biscuits and apricots.

Bourdaire Gallois Brut  $43
100% Meunier
The aromas of this wine jump from the glass, cocoa, toasty notes and raspberry fruit with lemon peel and citrus curd flavors. The base wine for this is 2012 with 2011 blended to complete the package.

Coquillette Carte d’ Ort Brut 1er  $55
66% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay
This fresh and creamy Champagne offers notes of honey graham cracker dust, toast, tangerine blossom, orange, lemon drop and crisp apple.  The extremely fine bubbles give it a delicacy and elegant taste.

2002 Moutard  Millesime $54
Chardonnay
Champagne Moutard’s cellar books date back to the 17th century.  All the grapes for the vintage champagne come from family-owned vineyards giving great control over the finished wine. The prolonged ageing on the lees create a very special champagne full of fennel thyme, honey and biscuit notes, and a fine, structured palate and a pleasing herbal finish.

Gaston Chiquet Cuvee de Reserve $55
1/3 each Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, & Chardonnay
The base wine for the reserve is 84% 2004 vintage, with the balance being 2001.  That is a lot of lees contact for the money.  Firm and yeasty, with toast and malt accents, ripe pears, peaches, hazelnuts and dried flowers come together beautifully in the glass. It naturally shows a little more oxidative character owing to the extended lees aging for a portion of the wine, but that just makes it more complex and interesting.

2006 Pierre Paillard, Grand Cru, Brut Millesime $60
50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay
Pierre Paillard is a small grower with eleven hectares of vines, all located in Grand Cru Bouzy. The winery has been in the family for eight generations. The 2006 is just released. It has complex aromas of ripe brie, lemon peel, yeasty toast and a creamy mouthfeel.

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.