04 Nov Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Madroña Vineyards 2024 El Tinto Lot 46, El Dorado

Not every bottle of wine needs a special occasion to be opened. When Madroña Vineyards described their El Tinto as a “Tuesday wine you can open on Saturday,” I knew it was perfect for a mid-week dinner with tacos I picked up. Easy-drinking and food-friendly at a great price, the Madroña Vineyards 2024 El Tinto is the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.

About Madroña Vineyards

Madroña Vineyards is one of the pioneering wineries of the El Dorado appellation in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The story began in the late 1960s when Dick and Leslie Bush moved their family to Camino, California. Dick noticed native madrone growing on their property and thriving in the well-drained soils and cooler mountain climate. A shrub native to Spain but also found in Napa and Mendocino, the madrone is cannot handle extreme hot or cold climates. He took the thriving native plants as a promising sign for growing grapes.

In 1973, the family planted its first 32-acre vineyard at approximately 3,000 feet in elevation, and Madroña Vineyards was born. The first Cabernet Sauvignon was produced in 1978, and the winery was completed in 1980. Today, the second generation continues the family business, with son Paul Bush serving as winemaker and vineyard manager and his wife, Maggie, overseeing general operations.

Madroña farms approximately 65 acres of estate vineyards across multiple sites in the El Dorado appellation. The high-elevation vineyards have well-drained soils and are farmed without herbicides. More than 20 grape varieties are grown, ranging from Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc to Barbera, Nebbiolo, and Chenin Blanc.

Tasting Notes

El Tinto Lot 46 is not your typical red blend. Made from Cinsault and Syrah along with the white Rhône varieties Marsanne and Roussanne, it is a medium-bodied red designed for easy drinking with notes of cherry, strawberry, and boysenberry along with a subtle herbal character. The fruit is fresh rather than jammy, and the wine has enough structure to make it interesting while remaining soft and easy to drink. It can be served at room temperature or with a slight chill, making it the kind of bottle that does not require much thought or ceremony. It is simply a delicious, approachable red wine made to enjoy.

Food Pairing

I had picked up some carne asado tacos from a local restaurant for dinner and the El Tinto was an easy match. The juicy red fruit complemented the grilled meat, while the wine’s freshness kept the pairing from feeling heavy. The wine did not overpower the flavors of the tacos, and instead was a lovely match for a casual night of tacos.

Where To Purchase

The Madroña Vineyards 2024 El Tinto retails for $14, the perfect price for a “Tuesday night wine”. The 2024 is now sold out but when the 2025 is released, it can be purchased directly from the winery.

Meet The Winemaker

Meet Paul Bush and get to know him in 30 questions on the Wine Soundtrack USA podcast.