locus noun, [loh-kuhs]. 1. a place; locality. 2. a center or source, of activities or power.
 
locus wines: Producing wines from varietals that best showcase their native climate and soil & the newest winery in Madrona.
 
Locus is run by Rich Burton & Ton Yazici, two Madrona residents (their tasting room in an unmarked garage on Madrona Drive.)  Together they search out distinctive fruit from both touted and obscure vineyards in Eastern Washington.  While they are still new at the business, the results are more than promising.  Come try their new releases this Saturday. 
 
2014 Locus, Dineen Vineyard Sémillon  $15
A single vineyard Semillon with full and lush fruit with a suede texture and notes of nutmeg and citrus. This year’s release has a smokiness that hangs around at the finish of the wine. 

2014 Locus, Rosé  $15
35% Mourvedre, 33% Cinsault, 32% Grenache
A very delicate dry rose that pulls off a balancing act between the classic Provence varietals.  Nice floating notes of lemon peel, rose petals, tangerine and rhubarb.

2013 Locus, Yakima Valley Rhone Blend Red $23
68% Syrah, 32% Grenache
A Rhone style blend with a big garrigue bouquet of sage & lavender and deep forest.  The palate has juicy fruit notes of blood orange and maraschino cherry, white pepper and a cardamom spicy finish.

2012 Locus, Stonetree Syrah $25 
Born and bred in the Wahluke Slope AVA near Mattawa, Washington, these grapes come from the Stonetree Vineyard. Stonetree’s name comes from the large number of petrified tree fossils found in the surrounding hills. The climate and the soil produce a singular fruit-forward Syrah, full of kirsch and blackberry jam along with notes of underbrush, eucalyptus, a touch of spice and a rich velvety 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.

It is a beautiful and busy weekend here in Madrona.  It is Garage Sale day in the hood. (If you like browsing through your neighbors cast offs you can get a map of the sales at Verite.)  The US Open is in full swing in Tacoma and Sunday is Father’s Day.  Remember that Dad loves wine (and if he is a golf fanatic we has a special gift packed magnum of Jack Nicklaus Napa Cab to surprise him with.)  As we enjoy the longest days of the year, we won’t be thirsty because we have two days of great tastings lined up for the weekend.

Saturday, we have some Summery French wines to take the heat off.  We’ll be pouring a crisp Gascogne Blanc, a tongue coating Côtes de Thongue Rosé, an Alsacian Edelwicker (which is as much fun to drink as it is to say) as well as an elegant Chinon and lively Châteauneuf that comes from horse plowed fields. That starts at two and goes for as long as the bottles last.

Sunday, we’ll be tasting two wines from Vallevò.  Vallevò
is a small co-operative winery in the Abruzzo region, near Chieti.  We have recently tried two of their wines and think they are terrific for the money, and make a great pair for any party.  

2014 Vallevò Trebbiano d’Abruzzo $10
This Trebbiano has aromas of almond, citrus and a hint of herbs. It is bone dry and finishes with a very attractive hint of apple-skin. This is a good everyday bottle of white, flavorful enough to stand up to a range of dishes but bright enough to make a good dry aperitif.

2013 Vallevò Montepulciano d’Abruzzo $10
Aromas and flavors of black plum, black cherry, herbs, and black olives surround a wonderful meaty texture, with enough chewiness to make the wine stand up to food but supple enough to drink on its own.

Come 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.

The Solstice is upon us and we’ve lined up some Summery wines from the French countryside to help us celebrate.  We’ll be pouring a crisp Gascogne Blanc, a tongue coating Côtes de Thongue Rosé, an Alsacian Edelwicker (which is as much fun to drink as it is to say) as well as an elegant Chinon and lively Châteauneuf that comes from horse plowed fields.  Come soak up some summer.

2013 Domaine Chiroulet, Terres Blanches $12
50% Gros Manseng, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Ugni Blanc
Domaine Chiroulet has been in the family for over the last 150 years and six generations.   Situated on the highest slopes in Gascony, the Chiroulet estate faces due south towards the Pyrenees.  The Terres Blanches is a lees aged Blanc with “a taste of the soil”–floral and mineral characteristics and more body than you’d expect.

2014 Domaine Montrose, Côtes de Thongue Rosé $12
65% Grenache, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah.
Montrose is located in the Languedoc region of Southern France, 15 km away from the Mediterranean coast.  The name refers to its geographic location on a volcano (Mont) and to the pink (Rose) flowers almond tress surrounding the vineyard.  The domaine was founded in 1701 and is still in the family.  The Rosé has notes of red berries and peach flavors with spicy overtones making an elegant wine combining roundness and freshness.

Léon Boesch Edelwicker  $18 1ltr 
Sylanver, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Riesling, Chasselas, Auxerrois
From Alsace, this 11th generation biodynamic estate ages their wines in old foudre. This eight grape blend is dry yet full of ripe fruit and round texture.  The wine has floral, mineral, juicy orange, papaya, mango, and star fruit notes and spicy undertones.

2011 Angélique Léon, Chinon Rouge  $18
Cabernet Franc
Léon’s 6.20 ha vineyards are planted to all Cab Franc.  The average age of the vines for bottled wines is 30 to 40 years.  The excellent 2011 is rich and fragrant with notes of cherry and plum a dry minerality and a good length in mouth.

2012 Domaine de la Biscarelle, Châteauneuf du Pape  $38
Domaine de la Biscarelle is produced from a blend of 90% Grenache and assorted other varietals Cinsault, Mourvedre, Syrah, and Terret Noir. The Grenache vines are old, with some more than 100 years of age. The wine is vinified in traditional cement vats and aged in used, French oak barrels for 12 months. The wine has a nose of red stone fruit and ripe black fruit along with licorice and tapenade and a peppery core.

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 Languedoc AOC France is a treasure trove of delicious value. Join us on Sunday as we pour three examples from the region and show off the area’s charm.

2012 Domaine de Coujan, St Chinian Blanc, Bois Joli $12
100% Rolle
Rolle is the same grape as Vermentino in Italy. This one is dry, full-bodied with notes of pineapple citrus fruit, with pretty bitter notes on the finish.

2014 Bergerie de l’hortus, Pic Saint Loup Rosé $ 18
50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre.
From organic vineyards in Pic St Loup this direct pressed rose is full of wild strawberries, plums, apricots and mandarin oranges, and floral notes.

2012 Chateau Massiac, Minervios $18
75% Syrah, 25% Carignan
The flagship wine from the Chateau. “Enticing notes of juniper, rosemary and thyme as well as the savory flavors of wild berries and a hint of the ‘animal’.

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 beautiful weekend here in Madrona, perfect for stretching the legs and exploring the world of wine.  So put on the sun screen and saunter on down to the shop and see what we are pouring.

Saturday, we have a line up from Illahe Vineyards in Oregon.  These guys are about as old school as you can get.  The grapes are dry farmed, the vineyards worked by horses, and the wines made more by hand than machine.  Come taste the results at 2 this afternoon.

Sunday, we are having a special tasting L’Adventure Languedoc.   The Languedoc AOC France is a treasure trove of delicious value and we’ll pour three examples from the region and show off the area’s charm. We’ll also have a guest sommelier to tell us a little more about the region from 1 to 4.

2012 Domaine de Coujan, St Chinian Blanc, Bois Joli  $12
100% Rolle — Rolle is the same grape as Vermentino in Italy.  This one is dry, full-bodied with notes of pineapple citrus fruit, with pretty bitter notes on the finish.

2014 Bergerie de l’hortus, Pic Saint Loup Rosé $ 18
50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre.
From organic vineyards in Pic Staint Loup this direct pressed rose is full of wild strawberries, plums, apricots and mandarin oranges, and floral notes.

2012 Chateau Massiac, Minervios $18
75% Syrah, 25% Carignan
The flagship wine from the Chateau.  “Enticing notes of juniper, rosemary and thyme as well as the savory flavors of wild berries and a hint of the ‘animal’.

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.

Located in Dallas Oregon just west of Salem, Illahe is and 80 acre estate of south-facing vineyards.  The mature grapes are dry farmed.  As one of Oregon’s few horse-powered vineyards, we utilize a team of Percheron drafts to mow and deliver grapes to the winery at harvest.  They do much of the winemaking by hand on small lots with age-old techniques and without enzymes or additives and still use a gentle wooden basket press for pressing.  This Saturday we’ll be tasting some of the fruit of their labor.  Come get a taste for yourself.
 
2014 Illahe Vineyards, Estate Gruner Veltliner  $18
Fremented partially in Acacia barrels, Ilahe’s Gruner has aromas of grapefruit, white pepper, lemon pith, sweet pea flower, licorice fern and tarragon.  The palate is lithe but commanding, tethered by wet stone minerality, fresh cut hay and a candied lemon.
 
2014 Illahe Vineyards, Viognier, Willamette Valley $18
Illahe’s Viognier has effusive aromatic notes of apricot, honeycomb, and peach pulp that leap out of the glass to greet the nose and are followed by more subtle notes of teatree oil, lime, and gardenia. The wine plays on the palate with a tantalizing acid backbone that is generous, opulent and unassuming.
 
2014 Illahe Vineyards, Tempranillo Rose  $18
Illahe’s Tempranillo Rosé is a whole-cluster pressed, resulting in a delicate wine with a pale salmon color and aromas of strawberries and cream, and a crisp, fleshy palate.
 
2012 Evesham Woods, Illahe Vineyard Pinot Noir $30
Evesham Woods uses fruit from Illahe vineyard is its larger production Willamette Valley blend, but the favorite, most expressive barrels receive additional age and make up this single vineyard Pinot. The wine is very forward with dark berries and a great velvety texture balanced with ample acidity. Only 300 cases were produced.
 
2012 Sparkman Cellars, Wilderness Red, Columbia Valley $20
37% Grenache, 24% Syrah, 24% Tempranillo, 5% Petit Sirah, 5% Touriga Naçional and 5% Petit Verdot.
As a bonus we had to include this last wine from Sparkman Cellars.  A few cases of their Wilderness red have flawed labels and to clear them out they have dropped the price.  The fruit for the Wilderness comes from Olsen, Klipsun, Red Heaven, Boushey and Lonesome Spring vineyards.  The wine has notes of graphite, spice, violets, blueberry, and blackberry with savory, ripe flavors, and a lengthy 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.

This Sunday we’ll have two intriguing Italians open and pouring. Both clock in at 13% alcohol by volume so you can have that second (or third) glass on a weeknight. Stop in for a taste. They are unique and delicious!

2014 Fratelli Povero Roero Arneis    ($14)
A classic Peidmontese white with an intense and fresh bouquet, and dry flavors of fresh hay, the pippin apple, almond and pineapple.
13% alcohol by volume

2010 Talamonti ModA’    ($10)
100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
A full, dark and chewy Montelpuciano. Lots of fruit and a little brooding herbaciousness.
13% 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.

The weather is screaming ROSÉ this weekend and we are ready to comply.  And there is a lot going on to accompany some dry crisp wine. Later today American Pharaoh will try and win the third leg of the Triple Crown at Belmont Park (the last horse to win all three races was Affirmed in 1978).  We’ll be watching it at the shop.

In other sporting events, today is the day for Hopscotch CD, where you can help set all sorts of records by Hopscotching through the Central District.  See more at www.hopscotchCD.com

And today at 2pm we’ll be studying some French Fun(damentals).  We’ll be pouring two Loire Rosés, a White and a Red from Bordeaux, and a “Black Wine” from Cahor that might set some records for thirst quenching.

Sunday, we’ll have two intriguing Italians open and pouring all day from 11-5pm.

2014 Fratelli Povero Roero Arneis    ($14)
A classic Peidmontese white with an intense and fresh bouquet, and dry flavors of fresh hay, pippin apple, almond and pineapple.

2010 Talamonti ModA’ ($10)
100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
A full, dark and chewy Montelpuciano. Lots of fruit and a little brooding herbaciousness.

Sunday is also the Artist Reception for Anne Dlouhy’s show of Collage and Ink sourced from vintage record albums.  Come meet the artist from 3 to 5. 

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’re pouring a lineup of wines from France that bring a smile to our faces. We’ll be pouring two Loire Rosés, a White and a Red from Bordeaux, and a “Black Wine” from Cahor.  They are all wonderfully flavorful and fundamental to many fun occasions. Stop in for a taste.
 
Moncontour Crémant de Loire Rosé  $18
90% Cabernet franc and 10% Chenin.
This Crémant de Loire from Moncontour is hand harvested and ages for 12 months in bottle before disgorgement. Crisp and full, its bright distinctive aromas lead to a structured palate. It tastes like biting into a peach with a wonderful sweet note and slightly spicy finish.
 
2014 Le Grand Bouqueteau, Chinon Rosé  $17
Cabernet Franc
From the Loire valley, this is a direct press rosé.  At harvest, the grapes go directly in the press and that is enough to get the clear pale, dry and crisp rosé with aromas of ripe fruit, strawberry, pear and rosés. 
 
2013 Chateau Garrineau Bordeaux Blanc  $14
Sauvignon Blanc
This sustainably farmed white Bordeaux is crisp, with aromas of grapefruit, apricots, lemon and lime. Zesty, fruity and complex on the palate, with lots of minerality this wine is a great match for seafood and shellfish. It’s also wonderful on its own, on the deck in summer! 
 
2011 Château Le Bourdieu Medoc  $22
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot
Le Bourdieu is a great value Bordeaux.  The wine is packed with red berries, currant and citrus peel notes the body is very structured and firm, it has dense tannins and dark chewy fruit that will improve with a bit of air. The 2011 is just starting to come into its prime.

2011 Château Noziéres,  Cahors Traditions.  $15
85%Malbec, 15% Merlot from 20-30 year old vines.
Château Nozières is a family run, 50 hectares vineyard located in the heart of the Cahors, and cultivated using traditional methods which respect the environment.  While the wine does have some firm tannins, it also bears rich black fruits that envelop and cushion the dry core. They give the wine weight, ripe fruitiness and jammy red berry flavors.

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.