Fall rolls around and we start stocking the shelves with new bubbles. We’ve picked the ones we liked best, and here’s an opportunity to see which of our favorites might be yours. We’ve got small houses, small growers and vintage Champagnes that you just don’t see everywhere. Space for this tasting is limited so contact us (just reply to this email) to reserve your space. We start at 5:30 on Sunday, have a few snacks to go with and you can still get home for Sunday dinner.

Ellner, Carte Blanche Brut $38
40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
A small family owned “house” that grows most of its own grapes in Epernay. Very aromatic, with mineral aromas and flavors, plus candied berry and citrus tones matched to a light body, lively structure and intense flavors.

2008 Delahaie, Brut $40
50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir
In 1959, George Delahaie took over his parents’ vineyards in Epernay and set out, using 8 acres of the property, to make his own Champagne. In 1990, having no children of his own, he passed the estate down to his nephew, Jacques Brochet who modified the blends and brought in barrels for aging and conservation of the wines. The Delahaie is aged 4 years on lees before bottling.

Bruno Paillard, Brut Premier Cuvee $55
45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Meunier
The first aromas reveal the citrus character of the Chardonnay, such as lime and grapefruits. Red fruit aromas then come out, including redcurrant, raspberry, morello cherry – typical Pinot Noir. On leaving the wine to open up, candied fruits, even exotic fruits of Pinot Meunier appear with aromas of banana and pineapple. The palate is lively. The nose is confirmed by the first taste, including citrus, almonds, toasted bread and “brioche”… but also redcurrant jelly, and dark fruits like cherry, fig or blackberry. The palate is full, quite long, with a very clean finish.

2006 José Michel, Blanc de Blancs $55
José Michel’s Blanc de Blancs is only produced in the best vintages and sourced from their finest plots. The nose shows notes of peach, apricot and citrus while the palate is complex, layered and long. It is elegant and refined, reflecting the quality of the vintage.

Hubert Paulet, Brut Prestige Cuvee Risleus $80
Hubert Paulet’s Primier Cru Estate in Rilly sells half of their grapes to Billecart-Salmon, and makes their own wine with the other half. The Risleus is composed solely of older wines (around 10 years old!) ensuring excellent roundness and complexity. From 22-year-old vines growing happily with grass between the vineyard rows, this 1er Cru blend of Chardonnay, Pinots Noir and Meunier is mineraled, yet not austere, ripe apples are present on the opening, backed up with fresh bread and crushed sea shell. Now only in its fourth generation, Paulet is practicing biodynamics, leading to a steely purity on this classic, celebration-worthy Champagne.

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 be sampling a youngin’ and one with a little more age on it, both from France, both red, both lower in alcohol content that their American cousins.

2013 Domaine Montrose     ($12)
35% Merlot, 35% Syrah, 30% Grenache
Domaine Montrose is a family wine estate founded in 1701 when the “Three Lizards” coat of arms was given to our ancestor. Montrose is located in the Languedoc region of Southern France. A juicy red from the Côtes de Tongue, that coats the tongue. Full of red fruit, black currant, and cocoa. Sustainable. 12.5% alcohol by volume

2009 Château Bellegrave Medoc    ($11)
40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot
With flavors of wood aging as well as sweet tannins, this is a concentrated and richly fruity wine. It has the ripe fruit of 2009, sweet berries, the tannins cushioned within the softness. A great value. 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.

Nebbiolo is the oldest and most noble native varietal in Piedmont which takes its name from the Italian word for fog, “nebbia”, which is very common in the hills of Alba, especially in early to mid-October when this late-ripening variety is harvested. It is also the grape that transforms itself into Barolo and Barbaresco.  Join us this Saturday as we focus on the wines of Piedmonte where the wines range from great tasting everyday quaffers to elegant and complex world class sippers.  We’ll be sipping Cortese, Dolcetto, Barbera and of course Nebbiolo.
 
2014 Castelvero, Cortese  $10
The Castelvero estate is located near Monferrato.  As the vines are not located in Gavi, the wine just goes by the name of the grape.  It is an attractively herbaceous and clean white with aromas of grapefruit and minerals, with a light-body, and fresh, crisp citrus fruit.
 
2011 Poderi Elia Dolcetto d’Alba $12
Poderi Elia is family run estate established in 1890 in Neive. The estate covers about 9 hectares. The Dolcetto d’Alba comes from 30-year-old vineyards.  The wine has notes of rhubarb, a pleasant toastiness, and bright red fruits with a nice touch of sweet cigar smokiness. Very smooth, with “cashmere” tannins, this Dolcetto is a perfect example of classic Piemonte style for an everyday wine.
 
2013 Vietti Barbera d’Asti, Tre Vigne  $17
Patriarch Mario Vietti made the first Vietti wines in 1919, transforming the family farm, into a grape-growing and wine-producing business. The grapes for the d’Asti Tre Vigne come from vines in the in La Crena and other adjacent vineyards. The wine has ripe red cherry aromas with hints of mineral and vanilla. A dry, medium bodied red wine with refreshing acidity and soft tannins, this Barbera is well balanced with good integration of oak, good complexity and a finish of more red cherries.
 
2012 Damilano, Nebbiolo Langhe, Marghe $20
The Damilano family business dates back to 1890 when Giuseppe Borgogno began to vinify his own estate wines. Giacomo Damilano, the founder’s son-in-law, took over and over time, the winery’s production was transformed into a jewel that was passed down with pride in 1997 to Giacomo’s grandchildren, who run the winery today. “Baby Barolo,” this structured Nebbiolo delivers classic sensations of dark cherry, clove, cinnamon and a hint of orange peel. Vibrant, with fresh acidity balanced by silky-smooth tannins, it’s ready to be enjoyed now. 
 
2010 Damilano, Barolo, Lecinquevigne $35
This Barolo is crafted from Nebbiolo cultivated in five distinct towns in the Barolo DOCG, the vineyards are located in Castellero, located northeast of the village of Barolo with western exposure; Monvigliero, located in Verduno with southern exposure; Fossati, located in La Morra with east-southeast exposure; Ravera, located in Novello with southwestern exposure; and Cavourrina, located in Grinzane Cavour with west-southwest exposure. The Lecinquevigne has an intense bouquet with tertiary notes of rose, leather, tobacco and subtle hints of violet.  The palate delivers ripe Morello cherry and red raspberry accented with baking spices alongside firm tannins.

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.

Our sunny Fall weather has taken a turn to the more familiar grey this weekend.  The seasons are changing and here in Madrona the flower baskets are coming down and the Halloween decor is starting to pop up (If you want to take one of the baskets home and put it where it won’t freeze, they’ll be giving them away on  Monday between 1pm and 2pm).  Rain or Shine we’ll be pouring some great wines at the shop this weekend.

Sunday we are featuring two Portuguese wines from Casa Santos Lima.  The Confidential wines are amazing values.  

2013 Santos Lima Confidential Branco      $9
A blend of 10 different local & international grape varieties, this Portuguese white is a  nice lemony citrus wine with notes of thyme and lavender. 12.5% alcohol by volume

2012 Santos Lima Confidential Tinto  $9
A steal of a little Portuguese red that delivers a lot for a little. Nice delicate scents of berries, with underlying tobacco, well integrated acidity with a palate of berries and a soft finish. 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.

Casa Santos Lima has been a family business for many generations and was founded by Joaquim Santos Lima, who, by the turn of 19th century, was among the greatest producers and exporters of Portuguese wines. Maria João Santos Lima and José Luís Santos Lima Oliveira da Silva, granddaughter and great grandson of the founder, have been leading Casa Santos Lima since 1990, replanting most of the vines and modernizing all its productive structure.

2013 Casa Santos Lima Confidential Branco    ($9)
A blend of 10 different local & international grape varieties, this Portuguese white is a nice lemony citrus wine with notes of thyme and lavender. 12.5% alcohol by volume

2012 Casa Santos Lima Confidential Tinto    ($9)
A steal of a little Portuguese red that delivers a lot for a little. Nice delicate scents of berries, with underlying tobacco, well integrated acidity with a palate of berries. With a soft finish. 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.

It is no secret that we love French wines.  We never tire of them.  So it is no surprise when they pop up at our Saturday tastings.  This Saturday we’re pulling the corks on five French wines to usher in the Fall season.  From Loire to Lirac, they are delicious.
 
2010 Jean-Francois Merrieau, Touraine “Bulles” $20
80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Chardonnay
Loire sparkling wines are often a great value.  This one is organically grown and aged on the lees for 18-20 months. The wines low dosage results in a refreshing, crisp wine, with a bright nose of apple and pears with hints of citrus. The palate is creamy and rich and the finish is juicy and long with lots of depth and a pretty label.
 
2014 Domaine de la Fruitiere, Chardonnay  $12
Not a Burgundy, the Fruitiere is 100% Chardonnay from granite, mica, and clay soils in Muscadet. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks for 8 months before release. It is rich and crisp at the same time, with an underlying mineral backbone.
 
2013 Domaine Lafage, Côtes Catalanes Rouge, Cuvée Nicolas  $15
100% Grenache
Jean-Marc and Eliane Lafage’s estate includes vineyards spread throughout the Roussillon.  The Cuvee Nicolas, from higher elevation sites in the Aspres region, is an impressive Grenache.  It offers layers of kirsch, underbrush, licorice and serious floral notes in its medium to full-bodied, elegant and seamless profile.
 
2014 Domaine La Garrique, Côtes du Rhône, Cuvée Romaine $17
65% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah
Cuvee Romaine is essentially declassified Vacqueyras from 60- to 90-year-old vines. Aged in concrete, it is a quintessential Provencal fruit bomb offering abundant notes of black cherries, black currants, roasted Provencal herbs, licorice, incense and background earth. It possesses a medium to full body, and a ripe, fleshy, hedonistic personality.
 
2012 Marcoux Lorentine, Lirac  $25
50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre
Lorentine lies in the heart of the Lirac appellation on the red clay, limestone and galet-rich soils of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres.  This Lirac   was fermented using wild yeasts and raised in concrete and old wooden barrels.  It’s wildly perfumed and then velvet-smooth on the palate, with layers of compact, red and blue fruits, as well as hints of wild herbs, fresh anise and dark spices. The very fine, nutty tannins give the wine great poise and shape. There is real depth here, and yet it’s subtle and surprisingly elegant too, with not an ounce of excess fat.

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 October weekend in Madrona.  Wine making is well underway up and down the west coast and the mushrooms are poking their heads up all over.  But this weekend at the wine shop we’ll be focusing on the rewards of past harvests.

Saturday we’re popping the corks on some well-structured and simple delicious wines out of California.  We think we’ve come up with a selection of solid wines that outperform their price tags.  But don’t take our word for it.  Come see for yourself.  The cork comes out of the Anderson Valley Brut at 2pm.

Sunday we’re featuring a couple of wines from an old favorite.Cháteau Coujan has been in the Guy family since 1868. The vineyards are located on hillsides at an altitude of 140 meters and grow in the sandy, gravelly soil of a very rare fossilized coral island, a former atoll of the Helvetien Sea. This unique land offers excellent drainage and allows vines to develop very deep roots.  

2014 Domaine de Coujan, Cépage Rolle         $11
Vin de Pays Coteau de Murviel
The new vintage of this 100% Rolle (Vermentino) from southern France. Nice full fruit with notes of melon and citrus. 13% alcohol by volume

 2013 Chateau Coujan, Saint Chinian    $11
40% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre, 25% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
A great price for a Saint Chinian red.  The Coujan has right combination of earth, spice and dark fruit. 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.

Although we sometimes forget it here in Washington, California is the largest producer of wine in the United States, with an ocean of two buck chuck on one end and the mountainy peaks of Dominus and Screaming Eagle on the other.  And like most things, the sweet spot is in the middle.  Join us Saturday and taste 5 wines from Cali that perform above their price tags.  We think these wines are tremendous values.  And after a sip we think you’ll agree. 
 
Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley Brut  $25
Champagne’s Louis Roederer started this California extension in Mendocino County’s cool, fog-shrouded Anderson Valley.  Their brut is made of a blend of estate grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay “This bubbly brings a rich buttery Chardonnay flavor, smooth texture, lively effervescence and rather full body. It smells like toast and butter, and tastes ripe and appley. Intense buttery flavors stay with you on the aftertaste.” Wine Enthusiast
Also comes in 1.5 L for $55 & 375ml for $13
 
2013 Quivera, Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc  $15
The Quivira estate comprises four distinct vineyards within the Dry Creek AVA in Sonoma County. The estate has a total of 93 acres of organically farmed vines. The 2013 Sauvignon Blanc melds Old World &New World style. It’s round and plump, yet finishes with cleansing acidity. Notes of herbs and some signature grassiness are apparent on entry, flowing into flavors of tropical fruits, lime and gooseberries.
 
2014 Neyers, Sage Canyon Cuvee $23
45% Carignan, 25% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 15% Syrah
Neyers two estates in Napa Valley (Sage Canyon and Conn Valley Ranch) along with some purchased fruit from select smaller growers throughout the state provide the fruit for this wine. Some very old vine (120 years) Carignan anchors this very complex Rhone style red that drinks amazingly well for the money. It is rich, layered and delicious.
 
2012 Carpe Diem, Cabernet Sauvignon $28
87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Christian Moueix, who owns both Chateau Pétrus in Bordeaux and Dominus in Napa Valley, also makes this moderately priced Napa Valley Cabernet.  Carpe Diem has impeccable balance; a silky texture; soft, rounded tannins; and, underneath it all, beautiful Napa Valley fruit.
 
2014 Neyers Vista, Luna Zinfandel   $23
The Vista Luna Vineyard sits on an outcropping of quartz, a unique phenomenon that is important to the development of the vines, their maturation, and the flavors developed by the grapes. The vineyard is planted to a non-clonal selection of Zinfandel so the clusters are small, as are the berries. Ripening is even, and the alcohol levels in the finished wine are low.  The wine is 100% ‘heirloom’ Zinfandel, fermented using native wild yeast, and aged 10 months in neutral French oak barrels. It is bottled without being fined or filtered.  It has aromas of black fruit, a vibrant flavor and a great stony minerality layered with the fruit. It’s complex without being overwhelming.

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.

September 26^th,

This Saturday we are pouring Indie Wines, a small importer that specializes in “Natural Wines”. All these wines are made by small producers, are hand harvested, organic and or bio-dynamic, with an emphasis on low SO2 and natural yeasts. As a result they don’t taste quite the same as the same grapes are used by the large commercial wineries that you find on the grocery store shelf. These wine are bursting with complexity and individuality just like the people who make them. Leave your preconceptions at home and come taste these distinct wines.

2013 Jean Christophe Garnier, Chenin La Roche $27

After 10 years as a sommelier, Jean Christophe turned his attention to wine making and bought a small vineyard in the Loire and makes his wines using an old apple press slowly extracting (10 to 12 hours) the essence from the grapes. His La Roche Chenin Blanc is a beautiful thing. Concentrated apple peel and pear skin, straw and honey, chamomile and citrus are just a few of the flavors that spring to mind. Fermented in old oak barrels and aged for a year, this is a sophisticated, incomparable wine.

2013 Omero Cellars, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $22

Omero is a small family owned vineyard and winery located in Oregon’s Ribbon Ridge AVA with 26 acres The estate is farmed consciously with the health and natural cycle of the vineyard and its ecosystem in mind with a focus on maintaining the natural bio-diversity of the land through minimal intervention, native cover crops and the integration of livestock. The 2013 is a lighter bodied, fresh Pinot with rose petal and cherry aromas, bright fruit and a refreshing finish.

2014 Cantina del Indie, Vino al Popolo Lange Rosso $15

50% Nebbiolo 20% Barbera 30% Dolcetto

Made especially for Indy Wines the Lange Rosso is aged in both stainless and barrel, this Lange red is a balanced and great tasting food wine. “The Barbara brings the acidity and bright fruit, the Nebbiolo brings the tannins and the aromatics, and the Dolcetto brings the softness and rounds out the blend.”

2013 La Torre alle Tolfe, Chianti $17

Sangiovese 80%, Canaiolo 10%, Colorino 10%

La Torre alle Tolfe dates back to 1316, and they have been making wine since then. Sergio Lo Jacono took over the wine-making and running of the estate in 2002 and converted the agriculture on the estate to organic immediately upon arrival. The cellar has also remained the same, except for the fact that the wines are now made with natural yeasts. The cellar is still filled with cement tanks and old botti where the Chianti is aged. This is a young and yeasty rustic Chianti with chiseled fruit and lots of character.

2012 Chateau La Baronne Corbieres Les Lanes Rouge $19

60% Grenache, 40% Carignan

La Baronne, cultivates some of the oldest Carignan vines of the Languedoc dating back to 1892. The Les Lanes is an attractive, fresh Corbières, full of fruit and charm. Rich and appealing, goes with friends & roast beef or grilled farmhouse poultry.

2pm