The weather this weekend looks to be what we use to call normal here in Madrona — a little bit of grey, a flash of blue, and off and on bits of moisture.  Perfect weather for a glass of wine.

Saturday we are celebrating Earth Day with some outstanding organic wine.  All these vineyards are organically and sustainably farmed although they may not be certified.  These wine makers just do the right thing without making a big fuss about it.  Their wines however ARE worth making a fuss over. 
2013 Thomas Sancerre La Crele
2015 Chateau d’Or et de Gueules, Rose “Les Cimels”
2013 Selvapiana  Chianti Rufina
2008 Alejandro Fernández , Dehesia la Granja
2013 Beaucastel Coudoulet Rouge

Sunday, we’re tasting a perfectly aged Bordeaux at a fantastic price that just hit the door of the shop. 

2005 Château de Clairvoy, Côtes de Bourg   Was $25 now $14

75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
Château de Clairvoy is aged for 18 to 24 months in barrels before bottling. The 2005 is rich and full, drinking great right now with several more years ahead.  Its velvety dark fruit blends with a licorice note and some spicy herbal undertones.
By the case it is only $11.90 a bottle.  It is like getting an instant wine cellar.

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 celebrating Earth Day this week by pouring wine from some of our favorite organic producers.  All these vineyards are organically and sustainably farmed although they may not be certified.  These wine makers just do the right thing without making a big fuss about it.  Their wines however ARE worth making a fuss over.  They are fine examples from the Loire, Costieres de Nimes, Chianti, Zamora, & the Rhône.

2013 Thomas Sancerre La Crele $25
Sauvignon Blanc
The Thomas family has been growing grapes and making wine in Sancerre since 1670. The Thomas’  19 hectares  encompass all three soils types in the appellation: flinty soils, Kimmeridgian limestone, and gravelly slopes of caillottes.  It is not a lean Sancerre; rather, both their terroir and the house style make a wine of great amplitude and texture, with a long, lingering finish.

2015 Chateau d’Or et de Gueules, Rose “Les Cimels” $13
4% Cinsault, 33% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre
A dry and elegantly full blend with flavors of Strawberry, mineral, and sweet herbs.

2013 Selvapiana  Chianti Rufina $17
95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo
this opens with aromas of pressed rose, crushed violet, wild berry and a whiff of baking spice. The vibrant, focused palate delivers juicy red cherry, raspberry, white pepper, cinnamon and dried herb. It’s well-balanced with supple tannins and bright acidity.”

2008 Alejandro Fernández , Dehesia la Granja $19
Tempranillo
The third single vineyard estate from the makers of Pesquera. The wine is aged two years in American oak, and bottled unfiltered.  The wine is smoky with dark fruit, toasty oak and dark chocolate aromas on the nose.  It is full-bodied, smooth and brooding Spanish red.

2013 Beaucastel, Coudoulet Rouge $32
40% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
The vineyard for the Coudoulet lay just outside of the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation and the wine drinks much more like a Châteauneuf than a Cotes du Rhone.   The nose evokes aromas of red fruit, blackberries, black cherries and licorice. In the mouth one finds hints of wild thyme and a finely structured wine that shows very good length.

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 looks like beautiful weather this weekend here in Madrona.  And we have some beautiful wines to go with it. So take a break and swing by the shop and have a taste.

Saturday we pouring a solid line up of Bordeaux that over deliver in deliciousness.
2013 Chateau Ducasse, Graves Blanc
2012 Chateau Garrineau, Rouge
2012 Maison Givas, Saint Emilion
2010 Chateau Magondeau, Fronsac
2009 Le Bourdieu Medoc

Sunday we are coasting in the Mediterranean with a rosé from the Greek mainland, and Corsican Red from the Italian-named French island. Come try some Xinomavro and Niellcciu.  It should be perfect rosé weather.

2015 Diofili, Xinomavro Rosé   $11
From Greece this very dry rose offers great acidity, intense raspberry and strawberry flavors with a crisp mineral after taste. 12% alcohol by volume

2014 Petroni, Corsican Red   $12
50% Niellucciu, 35% Syrah, 15% Grenache
A good versatile red for Corsica, the wine has aromas of red fruit (strawberries, blackcurrant and raspberries) as well as delicate spice and a light minerality. It is supple on entry to the palate with red fruit flavors and subtle roasted notes. 12.5% alcohol by volume

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.

Sometimes it only takes a word to get the mouth salivating.  One of those words is definitely Bordeaux.  The British have been crazy about drinking the wine from the region since the 12^th century.  And while the big Crus draw the oohs and ahhs, its less prestigious wines are a staple on any good table.  This Saturday we’re pouring five Bordeaux that anyone can afford and that no one should want to miss.  They might even draw some oohs and ahhs.

2013 Chateau Ducasse, Graves Blanc $17
60% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc
This mineral streaked Grave comes from 40-year-old vines.  The Sauvignon Blanc brings aromas of pineapple, citrus and white flowers While the Semillon adds complexity and roundness. It is tangy, with savory notes backed by a core of bitter citrus and followed by a crisp finish.  12.5% alcohol by volume

2012 Chateau Garrineau, Rouge $14
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
Garrineau dates back to 1862 in Entre Deux Mers.  The grapes for the rouge come from 25-year-old vines.  The wine has aromas of cassis, blueberries and a full, dry chewy body.  12.5% alcohol by volume

2012 Maison Givas, Saint Emilion $18
60% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot
This St. Em satellite drinks way above its price.  Blackcurrant, cherry and raspberry notes combine with cedar and vanilla undertones, smooth tannins and good finish. 12.5% alcohol by volume

2010 Chateau Magondeau, Fronsac $18
Merlot
From the great 2010 vintage, this Merlot comes from 40-year-old vines and ages for 18 months in epoxy lined vats. This Fronsac has red fruit aromas backed by spicy hints and a full tannic structure.  14% alcohol by volume

2009 Le Bourdieu Medoc $22
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot
“This is a lovely Cru Bourgeois: very pure and feminine on the nose with crisp red berries, redcurrant and candied orange peel. The palate is fleshy but not cloying with layers of ripe sweet red fruit, leading to a very lithe sensual finish where the oak is supremely well integrated.” — Wine Advocate.  13.5% alcohol by volume

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.

Having survived April Fool’s Day, we have a deal that only a fool would turn down – create your own Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf de Pape vertical. We negotiated special pricing on the last of the 2011 which we will have open for tasting, and we have the 2010 and 2012 available for purchase to complete your vertical.

2011 Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf du Pape    ($40)
65% Grenache, 35% Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault
“Vivid ruby. Dark berry and floral scents show very good clarity and spicy lift. Offers gently sweet black and blue fruit flavors that spread out with air, picking up subtle anise and sassafras nuances and a hint of white pepper. Lingers with very good energy and spiciness and gentle tannic grip.” — Josh Raynolds Was $70, Now $40

We also have the 2010 and 2012 vintages available to complete your vertical.

2010 Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf du Pape    ($70)
65% Grenache, 16% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah, 5% Cinsault
A very full rich CNDP with a big mouthfeel and licorice, earth and mineral notes. It is aged in neutral barrels so there is nothing here but pure clean fruit from a great vintage.
13% alcohol by volume

2012 Domaine La Barroche Châteauneuf du Pape    ($50)
65% Grenache, 16% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah, 5% Cinsault
“Bright ruby. Candied red fruits, spicecake and minerals on the highly perfumed nose, with an exotic blood orange nuance in the background. Juicy and precise, displaying very good clarity and lift to its sappy raspberry and cherry flavors. Darker in tone on the finish, clinging with impressive tenacity and appealing sweetness.” —
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Review, 01/2014 Was $70, now $50

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 good weather is hanging around for the weekend here in Madrona.  And at Madrona Wine the corks are popping up like dandelions. Take a walk in the fresh air and see what’s open.

Saturday we are tasting some French Country Wines.   Come try such grapes as Gros Manseng , Braucol, Duras, Fer Servadou, Negrette and Tannat.  
2013 Domaine Castera, Jurancon Sec
2015 Domaine des Terrisses,  Gaillac Rosé
2014 Domaine du Cros, Marcillac $15
2013 Domaine Roumagnac,  Fronton Rouge
2010 Laffitte Teston, Madiran Vielles Vignes

Sunday we’ll be sampling a new deal we just picked up in a Châteauneuf du Pape.  It’s a deal you shouldn’t pass up.

2011 Domaine la Barroche, Châteauneuf du Pape  Was $70 Now $40
65% Grenache, 35% Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault
“Vivid ruby. Dark berry and floral scents show very good clarity and spicy lift. Offers gently sweet black and blue fruit flavors that spread out with air, picking up subtle anise and sassafras nuances and a hint of white pepper. Lingers with very good energy and spiciness and gentle tannic grip.” — Josh Raynolds

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 all day from 11-5.

The Southwest of France is a diverse and isolated wine region. From South of Bordeaux the classical varietals give way to more local provincial grapes distinct to their region.  Come by this Saturday as we navigate our way through this countryside.  Come try Gros Manseng, Braucol, Duras, Fer Servadou, Negrette and Tannat.  
 
2013 Domaine Castera, Jurancon Sec $17
95% Gros Manseng, 5% Petit Manseng
The Jurancon Sec rests “sur lie” with frequent stirring until the following spring which makes a powerful, intense, floral and dry Juracon white with green apple, tropical fruit and limestone notes.  
 
2015 Domaine des Terrisses,  Gaillac Rosé $14
50% Syrah, 25% Braucol, 25% Duras.
Domaine des Terrisses has been the property of the Cazottes family since 1750. The vineyard is situated along the “Premiere Cotes” of Gaillac, the hillsides facing south-southwest toward the Tarn river. The vineyard is planted almost entirely with the traditional grape varieties of the region; The Rosé is produced using the saignée method with maceration lasting about 12 hours.  The wine has aromas of tangy, barely-ripe strawberries, blackberries, and a whiff of resinous herbs. On the palate it’s got delicious berry fruit, refreshing acidity, and enough body to stand up to a wide variety of foods.
 
2014 Domaine du Cros, Marcillac $15
Marcillac, (Fer Servadou)
Domaine du Cros, with its 22 hectares, is the largest independent producer in the appellation. Much of his vineyard is terraced and the soil is an iron rich clay known locally as “rougier” with outcroppings of limestone. His wines are made from the local grape Marcillac which shows lots of white pepper, minerals, leather, and dark berry fruit.  Sustainable.
 
2013 Domaine Roumagnac,  Fronton Rouge $15
50% Negrette, 25% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc.
Roumagnac is a family run, sustainably farmed estate in Fronton where the primary grape variety is the fragile Négrette.  Its expression is intense: fresh red fruit (currant and cassis) mingle with a light licorice palette.  Cab Franc gives freshness, Cab Sauvignon adds good structure, and Syrah brings sweetness and gives aromatic echoes the Négrette’s licorice note.
 
2010 Laffitte Teston, Madiran Vielles Vignes $23
The appellation Madiran is situated among the northern foothills of the Pyrenées in the heart of Gascony. The Vieilles Vignes cuvee is 100% Tannat and is produced from 80-year-old vines that have particularly low yields. The juice stays in contact with the must for 21 days during which period the juice is pumped over the cap twice a day obtaining great extraction. The wine is aged in new and one-year-old barrels for 13 months. The wine is full and dark with lots of tannic structure.

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 all day from 11-5.

Our sunny weekday weather has been replaced with a more toned down hue.  But at Madrona Wine we have a few things in store to brighten the weekend.

Saturday we’re focusing on wines from Montsant, Conca de Barbera, and Priorat, a little nexus of appellations in northeast Spain that produce some big bold reds.
2014 Pazo de Señorans,Albariño Rias Baixas
2013 Capcanes, Mas Donis Barrica, Montsant
2012 Clos di Nit, Crianza Montsant
2012 Cara Nord, Negre, Conca de Barbera
2013 Mas Doix, les Crestes, Priorat

 Sunday is the Artist Reception for our current show of painting by Anna Macrae. 
Anna Macrae is a process artist. She responses to the technics and processes that she has developed. This exhibition explores a range mark making as a visual language. The work conveys a strong reference to shape and form whilst demonstrating a variety of application techniques.  Come meet her and see the show from 3 to 5.

Mark will have an artistic red and an expressive white open all day to help the appreciation.

2015 La Croix Belle Caringole    ($10)
50% Syrah, 50% Grenache
A crisp rosé from the South of France with light fruit and nice floral notes that Cotes de Thongue.
12.5% alcohol by volume

2013 Esporão Alandra Red    ($9)
Moreto, Castelão, Trincadeira
Esporão’s easy drinking red is made of a blend of three indigenous varietals. It has youthful fruit aromatics and light floral 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 all day from 11-5.

This Saturday we are tasting wines from the two coasts of the north of Spain We’ll start with a big white from the Atlantic side in Rias Baixas and then continue on to some big bodied reds of the Mediterranean side from Monsant, Conca de Barbera, and Priorat.  The wines full and bold as the culture they come from.  Come join us.
 
2014 Pazo de Señorans, Albariño Rias Baixas $20
From Rias Baixas on the coast of Northwest Spain, the Pazo Señorans is made with 100% Albariño grapes that grow on 35-year old vines in 20 acres of lovingly cared vineyards that receive the sea breeze from the Atlantic Ocean.   The Pazo takes Albariño to a whole new level.  The 2014 is wonderfully perfumed with round viscous body packed with a cornucopia of citrus flavors.
 
2013 Capcanes, Mas Donis Barrica, Montsant   $12   Tasting Special Normally $14
85% Grenache, 15% Syrah
In North East Spain, Montsant wraps around the celebrated Priorat. While the soils generally contain less schist than Priorat, their pricing represents much greater value.  The old-vine Garnacha in this blend is primarily from an indigenous clone called Garnacha del Pais.  The wine is barrel aged for nine months before release.  It shows wild red and black berry flavors, cherry, spices and herbs as well as smooth vanilla oaky toasty notes.  It is ripe and complex on the palate with loads of sweet vibrant fruit, soft and velvet tannins and a nicely refreshing finish
 
2012 Clos di Nit, Crianza Montsant  $12
40% Garnacha, 40% Cariñena, 20% Syrah
Clos de Nit is a Catalan phrase meaning “vineyard of the night.” The vineyards are spread out across the mountainous slopes among olive groves, forests, and stone. Loose red sands and limestone are found here. Their Crianza has red and black fruits with earth and dried fruit overtones.  Its tannins are noticeable but very pleasant and it shows a long, persistent finish. 
 
2012 Cara Nord, Negre, Conca de Barbera $17
42% Grenache, 38% Syrah and 20% Garrut
Lesser known than its neighbors, the Conca de Barbera appellation is northeast of Priorat and Montsant, and west of Penedes.  The Negre’s blackcurrant and cherry skin aromas show gentle spiciness and a touch of dried herbs. The wine is smooth and pliant on the palate, offering ripe black and blue fruit flavors and a touch of bitter chocolate with a smoky note on the finish, along with an echo of cherry and dusty tannins.
 
2013 Mas Doix, les Crestes, Priorat $25
80% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 10% Syrah
Les Crestes vineyards are situated at a height of 400 meters above sea level on hillsides of pronounced slopes, with the characteristic slate soil called “licorella”. A third of the grapes for les Crestes come from vineyards of more than 50 years old, and the rest come from vineyards with an average of 15/20 years old.  The wine has earthy, dark fruits, orange peel, chocolate, leather, cumin, and general freshness which continue in the body along with a boost of oak and dried herbal 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 all day from 11-5.