Washington Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Bordeaux

The Tour de France organizers recently unveiled the 2018 route.  The 105th edition of le Tour includes some of the most diverse racing in the past decade.  The race begins in the Normandy region of North East France rather than in a different country like many of the past editions.  After spending a week in Northern France the race heads to the mountains in the Alps and Pyrenees before finishing up in Paris.  The finish on the Champs Elysees is one tradition that continues to endure.

In honor of the Tour's organizers willingness to shake things up, this week's challenge features on upstart from Walla Walla taking on the old guard from the Left Bank of Bordeaux.

2012 Kontos Cellars Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon vs. 2012 L'Abeille de Fieuzal Pessac-Leognan



Tale of the Tape

Kontos Cellars 2012 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Pepper Bridge (66%) and Summit View (33%) vineyards. 

Aged in 40% New Oak Barrels - 80% French Oak.

Provided as a sample by the winery.  Available at retail for $41.

L'Abeille de Fieuzal 2012 Pessac-Leognan

Made from esatate grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot from the Pessac-Leognan sub-region within the Graves AOC

The vines average 35 years in age and the Petit Verdot was planted in 1908!

Purchased at Esquin for $29.99.








Round 1.  First opening

The Kontos Walla Walla Cab is full of swagger and confidence.  The nose features dark cherries, currants, dusty candle wax and earthy floral notes.  The palate is dark and rich with black cherry, cola and white pepper followed by a dry cocoa powder finish.

The French challenger from the Left Bank is off to a pretty casual start.  The nose shows dark currants and smoky savory olive brine notes.  The palate follows up with similar notes of dark currants along with dried herbal savory notes and a very dry tannin finish.

Kontos fires off quickly and takes round 1.

Round 2. One hour after opening

Kontos is ready to rumble and back for more.  The nose continues to show black cherries and cola notes along with some hints of cocoa and light white pepper.  The palate is doubling down with black cherries, cocoa and white pepper followed by a dry cocoa powder finish.

The Left Bank Luchador is beginning to pick up steam, but still seems to be a step slow.  The nose is showing dark fruit, smoky sandalwood and savory olive brine.  The palate is following suit with more dark fruit and smokey savory notes followed by a tight dry finish.

This round was closer, but Kontos came out on top again for a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

Round 3. One day after opening

This is it for the French Luchador.  The only hope of victory is a knock out.  And it looks like the French challenger from Graves is going for the gusto!  The L'Abeille de Fieuzal leaps into the ring off the top turnbuckle with a nose of dark fruit and savory, earthy, olive brine.  The palate features dark fruit and tart smokey sandalwood with a tart dry tannin finish.

Kontos is showing stamina with a nose featuring earthy black cherry, currants, clove and mole’ cocoa spices.  The palate follows up with earthy black cherry, menthol, cracked pepper and a dry cocoa powder finish.

Kontos was going strong, but not quite enough for the final attack from the L'Abeille de Fiezal challenger.  None the less, Kontos still takes the match 2-1.

Wrap Up and Overall Observations

The Graves Left Bank Bordeaux showed strikingly similar character to wines from the Rocks region of Walla Walla.  The style really started to shine on the second day onwards.  Like many French wines, this one needs some time in the decanter to reach its peak.

The Kontos Walla Walla cab was solid right out of the gate and never let up over the duration of the match.

If you like bold, rich, cabernet sauvignon dominant wines, I would recommend both of these wine luchadors!