Rain is on the forecast this weekend in Madrona, and per usual it’s pouring at Madrona Wine.  We’ve got a busy line up so grab that umbrella and come check it out.

Saturday, we’re tasting wines from Domaine Le Fay d’ Homme  a great organic estate winery in the Loire that specializes in Mellon de Bourgogne or what is more commonly known under the appellation Muscadet.  They also make two very aromatic reds, one from Gamay and one from Malbec.

Sunday, some things come and some things go.  We’re pouring two red wines: A Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero that we got the last of this week, and a Cabernet Franc from the Loire that has just arrived.

2012 Domaine de la Rablais Mis en Bouteille Cuvée Rouge $14
Loire Valley
This 100% Cabernet Franc is just off the boat and tasting great. Lighter bodied — nice spice notes.

2009 Ismael Arroyo Ribera del Dureo “Mesoneros”    $14
From Ribera del Duero, this big Tempranillo has had time to soften up.  Its smoothness will make your taste buds think they’ve been put to bed with silk sheets. Oak aged in chalk tunnels hundreds of feet underground. Full, dark and rich.  Was $20 now $14

Sunday is also the Artist Reception for Suzanne Brooker’s show of new oil paintings, Waterways from 3 to 5pm
Water is the element of change that creates paths through the landscape. A trickster with many disguises, the dynamics of water is a constant challenge to render from the dancing currents of fast water to the sculptural effects of the water course over rocky shores.

Suzanne Brooker is a Teaching Artist and has published two books: The Elements of Landscape Oil Painting:–Techniques for Rendering Sky, Terrain, Trees and Water & Portrait Painting Atelier: Old Master Techniques & Contemporary Applications

And keep your eyes out for our upcoming special tasting of older Bordeauxs.  We’re drawing up the details and will get it out soon.

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.

No, Fay d’Homme was not a 1920’s silent movie star.  It is however a great organic estate winery in the Loire that specializes in Mellon de Bourgogne or wat is more commonly known under the appellation Muscadet.  They also make some very aromatic reds.  Owner Vincent Caillé Earl is a 5th generation winemaker.  Indeed both of his parents, came from winemaking families which makes him a “concentrate”. His parcels are spread over 14 kilometers in 4 towns and 3 terroirs.  After converting his all property from conventional methods back to organic practices, he is now starting to learn and work a part of his domaine in Biodynamy.  This Saturday we’ll be pouring five wines from the winery, and being very French we’ll pour the reds first.

2014 La Part du Colibri Gamay  $13
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 40 year old vines and is a nice balance of fresh fruit and minerality.

2014 La Part du Colibri Cot $14
A bit of an odity, this Cot (aka Malbec) from the Loire is a bit lighter than Cahor, but abounds with juicy and spicy black cherry and plums with hints of pepper and anise and a large core of minerality.

X bulles Methode Ancestrale   $18
100% sparkling Melon de Bourgogne made in the méthode ancestrale style – a very traditional way of making sparkling wine where it is bottled before all the residual sugar is fermented into alcohol, without dosage and often riddling.  The fineness of the bubbles, salinity, mineral X bubbles form a nice balance between fruit and freshness.

2014 Muscadet Sêvre et Maine  $14
The Muscadet is Melon de Bourgogne from 35-year-old vines and aged in traditional glass lined cement tanks, offering a classic expression The wine ages “Sur lie” (on its sediment) for several months which adds body and mouthfeel.  The La Fay is a fuller Muscadet, dry and focused with notes of white flowers and melon & citrus notes.   12% alcohol by volume

2010 Monnieres, Saint Fiacre  $27
This “Grand Muscadet,” from 60 year old vines underwent a long fermentation and spent 15 months on its lees giving the Melon de Bourgogne a fuller richness.   It drinks beautifully, with supple, deep flavors, and power.

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.

Today we have THREE Malbecs open for tasting – was going to be two, but for the next bit we have some of yesterday’s Malbec that still tasting good.

From France:

2012 Les Fiefs d’Anglars Malbec    ($10)
Vin de Pays du Lot
A great value Malbec from Cahors with good full fruit and scents of red and black fruit, pepper and spices.12.5% alcohol by volume

From Chile:

2013 Echeverria Gran Reserva    ($12)
Malbec
A Chilean Malbec that sets itself off from its Argentinian neighbors. Full and soft plummy fruit, with violet aromas and a smooth round finish.

From Washington State:

2012 Malbec, Estate, Wahluke Slope $20
Aromas of blueberry, plum and violets. Fabulous balance of fruit, tannin and acidity. The flavors roll from blackberries and dark plums to a floral/herbal note of violets and lavender. The well-heeled mouth feel brings a light note of vanilla to the finish. Try this versatile wine with grilled (or plumb) duck, steak, pasta Bolognese, roast turkey, Mexican style chicken mole.   GOLD – North Central Washington Wine awards.

CURRENT SCORE

A little over an hour into the competition – it’s neck-n-neck.

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 Sunday for MALBEC MANIA – a smackdown tasting with two Malbecs, one from the feisty French, the other from the cunning Chileans. We’ll be posting the score throughout the day. Come vote with your wallet.

2012 Les Fiefs d’Anglars Malbec    ($10)
Vin de Pays du Lot
A great value Malbec from Cahors with good full fruit and scents of red and black fruit, pepper and spices.12.5% alcohol by volume

2013 Echeverria Gran Reserva    ($12)
Malbec
A Chilean Malbec that sets itself off from its Argentinian neighbors. Full and soft plummy fruit, with violet aromas and a smooth round finish.

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 morning fog is burning off and turning into sunshine here in Madrona.  It’s a perfect afternoon for a walk through the forest.

Saturday at 2pm, we’ll be walking through the wines of Ginkgo Forest Winery, a Washington estate on Waluke Slope.  The wines are full of varietal character and reasonably priced.  You can imagine the breeze through the trees while you taste the vines.  We’ll be trying their:

Botanical White Blend (33% Viognier, 33% Riesling, 33% Gewuztraminer)
Sangiovese
Malbec
Coalesce Red (34% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre, 33% Syrah)
Melange de la Forêt  (42% Carmenere, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc)

Sunday it’s MALBEC MANIA – a smackdown tasting with two Malbecs, one from the feisty French, the other from the cunning Chileans.  It is the perfect sport for after the Seahawks.

2012 Les Fiefs d’Anglars Malbec $10
Vin de Pays du Lot
A great value Malbec from Cahors with good full fruit and scents of red and black fruit, pepper and spices.

2013 Echeverria Gran Reserva  $12
Malbec
A Chilean Malbec that sets itself off from its Argentinian neighbors.  Full and soft plummy fruit, with violet aromas and a smooth round finish.

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.

Ginkgo Forest’s vineyard and winery are located on the Wahluke Slope one of Washington’s great AVAs.  The winery is named for the ginkgo trees that millions of years ago covered that area of eastern Washington.   Now grapes thrive where there once was forest.   Stop by this Saturday as we pour a line up their intriguing wines.   You can imagine the breeze through the trees while you taste the vines.  These wines seem to clean up the medals at the local taste offs.
 
2013 Ginkgo Botanical Series White Blend, Estate, Wahluke Slope $18
33% Viognier, 33% Riesling, 33% Gewuztraminer
Wonderful floral notes on the nose bringing your senses to a cleaver zing of spices and pleasing acidity. Clean stone fruit and honeydew melon flow into a ripe pineapple experience. Try it with salads, shrimp, shellfish of all sorts, sturgeon or any white fish. BRONZE – North Central Washington Wine Awards
 
2010 Sangiovese, Estate, Wahluke Slope $15
Aroma and flavors of plum, pomegranate, cranberry, and spice. BEST BUY OF ITALIAN REDS – Wine Press NW, 2013 • BRONZE – Great Northwest Wines, 2013
 
2012 Malbec, Estate, Wahluke Slope $20
Aromas of blueberry, plum and violets. Fabulous balance of fruit, tannin and acidity. The flavors roll from blackberries and dark plums to a floral/herbal note of violets and lavender. The well-heeled mouth feel brings a light note of vanilla to the finish. Try this versatile wine with grilled (or plumb) duck, steak, pasta Bolognese, roast turkey, Mexican style chicken mole.   GOLD – North Central Washington Wine awards.
 
2011 Coalesce Red, Estate, Wahluke Slope $26
34% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre, 33% Syrah
A delightful Rhone Blend. Grenache dominant with soft spiced berry flavors. Mourvèdre adds earthy notes and deep color. Syrah brings structure with black pepper and olives. GOLD – North Central Wine Awards, 2014
 
2013 Melange de la Forêt Red Blend $24
42% Carmenere, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc
A carnival of fruit with floral notes on the nose. Flavors of Rubrum Lilly, hibiscus, spices and a light cocoa afterglow. Pleasant, smooth tannins holding on just enough to reach the lovely finish. Wonderful as an aperitif wine or enjoy with Filet Mignon, Osso Bucco, or a nice pot roast. SILVER – North Central Washington Wine Awards

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.

2016 has arrived!  And to start the year off right, this weekend we’ll be pouring some delicious wines to get the year going on the right foot.

Saturday We’ve got some great values from the Loire, Sicily, Rioja and the Piedmont, and we have a nice lazy weekend to enjoy them in.

2014 Pichot, Coteau de la Biche, Vouvray Sec  $13
Chenin Blanc
This wine is warm, rounded and packed with fruit. Baked apple and spice are combined with almond and honey flavors. The wine is dry, very fresh while also concentrated and dense.

2010 Valle dell ‘Acate Cerasuolo di Vitoria  $15
70% Nero d’Avola, 30% Frappato
Sicily’s only DOCG, the Cerasuolo has scents of mature blackberry and raspberry with notes of soft spices like licorice and cacao.  The flavors are soft and velvety. The tannins are balanced.  The wine is addictive, and now on deal.  Was $23 now $15

2005 Leza Garcia Rioja Alta Reserva  $16
Tempranillo
The wine is aged for 24 months in a combination of American and French oak barrels followed by an additional 5 years of bottle. It has a rich and elegant nose. On the palate it is complex with well-rounded ripe red fruit flavors, and has a lingering deeply fruity finish. Was $20 now $16

2010 Pasquale Pelissero. Bricco San Giuliano Barbaresco  $30
A family estate, single-vineyard Barbaresco that comes from an 8-hectare parcel of 25-year-old vines at about 400 meters above sea level.  The wine is aged for 2 years (90 % in large botte and 10% in New French barrels)  The wine has plum, cherry, licorice and leather notes on a broad frame. It is tight and dense, with a lingering, fresh finish and dusty tannins.

Sunday we’ll be have two Rhône Reds to compare and contrast.

2012 Pasquiers Côtes du Rhône    $10
Grenache, Syrah
Gluggable but serious, full of red berry fruit which makes it so seductive and easy to drink but alongside this beguiling fruit lurks a beautiful floral note and a sophisticated garrigue, herbal finish.

2012 Michel Gassier Cercius Vieilles Vignes Visan  $15
85% Grenache, 15% Syrah
Made from 80+ year vines the Cercius has dark berries and wood smoke lifted by a spicy element. It finishes with gentle tannins and subtle anise and cola qualities.

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.

Happy Boxing Day!

We’ve made it through Hanukkah, the Solstice and Christmas here in Madrona.  Before we get to New Years, it’s time for a break.  We ‘re looking to a full relaxing weekend that starts with Boxing Day. 

Saturday we’re we are pulling the corks on four favorite wines.  There is no punch in these beauties, just smooth, full delicious flavor.  Take a break and stroll on up to the shop for a taste.  It is also the first day of Kwanzaa, a week of feasting and celebration that calls for a good bottle or two.

2013 Quinta Apolonia Belondrade  $18
100% Verdejo
A full Verdejo from Castilla y Leon.  30% comes from the cellar’s signature wine Belondrade y Lurton  which is fermented and aged in French oak barrels for three months -the other 70% from the property’s youngest vines which are fermented slowly in stainless steel tanks. The wine is light and crisp on the tongue with notes of stone and citric fruits and an ever so slight acidity, while the palate is round and full leaving behind long-lasting aromas.

2014 Gray, Syrah  $17
This 100% Syrah with fruit from the famed Den Hoed Vineyard, was crafted by Kerloo Cellars Winemaker Ryan Crane.  It full of dark dry fruit with a bit of earth and spice.

2013 Moulin de la Gardette Gigondas, Cuvée Tradition  $27
80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault
For five generations the Meunier family has devoted itself to caring for the vines on the upper garrigue slopes of Les Dentelles. The Cuvee Tradition is rich and luxurious with soft tannins and a long finish.  A nose of herbs, plums and warm rooftops, then a supple almost gamey palate, with hints of aniseed on the finish. A lick of Mediterranean rusticity adds texture and color to the impeccably ripe black fruit.

2012 JB Neufeld, Yakima Valley Cabernet  $36
89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc
Justin Neufeld is the winemaker at Gilbert Cellars as well as an assorted lot of other folks.  We like his Gilbert wines but we especially like the wines he makes for his own label.  A three vineyard blend this year in JB’s Yakima Cabernet.  A full fisted but not heavy handed Washington Cabernet.

Sunday we’ll be pouring a couple of warming Reds from Italy.

2008 Colognole Chianti Rufina $13
Sangiovese
Medium deep red. Hints of fruitiness red berries, herbs and tobacco. Dry, acid finish, perfect with short ribs, good value.

2012 Terre del Barolo, Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC $13
Terre del Barolo is a collective winery located in the heart of Barolo sourcing fruit from its 400 members.  This Nebbiolo ages for 12 months in large Slavonian Oak barrels.  The wine has the characteristic aromas of leather, rose petals, & cherry.

After that we will be closed Monday but after that open again on Tuesday and open for the rest of the year.  Come grab some bubbles to ring in the New Year.

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.