Washington Tempranillo vs. Rioja

Alejandro Valverde finally won the UCI World Championships this year after finishing in the top 3 in six previous editions of the World Championship road race.  He added the Gold Medal, on a hilly course in Innsbruck Austria, to go with his four bronze and two silver medals.

Even though Valverde has been implicated in past blood doping scandals, he has never failed a doping test.  This has lead to him being a polarizing figure in the pro cycling peloton.  Say what you will, but Valverde is the only racer to achieve success after emerging from the "doping era."  Most of his cycling peers that were implicated in doping schemes retired or never returned to anything representing their doping fueled form.

To recognize Valverde's world championship success and celebrate International Tempranillo day, this edition of the Lucha Vino challenge features a Washington Tempranillo taking on a challenger from Rioja.

2012 Idilico Tempranillo vs. 2010 Rioja La Tercera Reserva



Tale of the Tape

2012 Idilico Tempranillo

100% Tempranillo from Upland Vineyard.

 Aged for 20 months in neutral French oak barrels.

Purchased from Full Pull for $17.99.












2010 Rioja La Tercera Reserva 
90% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha and 5% Graciano all from the Rioja region of Spain.

Aged for 30 months in barrel and 6 months in bottle.

Purchased from Full Pull for $21.99.









Round 1.  First opening

Idilico swaggers into the ring overflowing with confidence.  The nose is showing dark toasty cherry notes along with earthy menthol spices.  The palate is featuring similar dark cherry flavors paired up with notes of cracked pepper and flower petals.  The finish is spicy with some hints of cocoa powder.

The La Rioja Luchador seems a bit tentative.  The nose has notes of briney dark plumb.  The palate is similar with the addition of tart dried leather, packing plenty of tannin on the finish.

Round 1 goes to Idilico for a superior showing of strength.

Round 2.  One hour after opening

Idilico continues to build strength into the second round.  The Washington state luchador leaps into the ring off the top rope, leveling the Spanish challenger with a devastating body slam.  The nose is dark and toasty with funky smokey notes and floral overtones.  The palate also shows off some floral notes combined with a one, two, punch of dark fruit and smoked cracked pepper followed by a savory oily and spicy finish.

La Tercera is struggling despite encouragement from the crowd and the corner.  The nose has evolved to show earthy, herbal dark berries and plumbs with hints of violet.  The palate follows suit with a dry finish.

Once again, The Washington State Luchador overwhelms the opponent by flashing powerful moves.

Round 3.  One day after opening

Look out below.  Idilico is turning out the lights!  The nose is showing dark earthy berries and black cherry.  The palate is building power to show more barrel notes of cocoa mixed with white pepper and black cherry.  The finish kicks in with more barrel spices and kicks the Rioja challenger to the curb.

La Tercera hasn't been able to get out of neutral for the entire match.  The third round is proving to be no different than the first two.  The nose remains relatively consistent with notes of plumb mixed with some dusty, earthy mineral notes.  The palate features pie cherry, leather and light menthol spice followed by a dry tannin fueled finish.

This match was never in question.  Idilico takes the final round for a resounding victory.

Wrap up and overall observations.

The 2012 Idilico Tempranillo is hitting it's prime.  This Tempranillo is showing all the character of a Rioja Riserva or Gran Riserva.  The barrel notes are extremely complimentary to the Tempranillo's dark fruit and spice character.

Even though the La Tercera has two more years of age on it, this wine seems like it could benefit from a year or two more in the bottle.  The character was quite dry and tart which I found surprising for a wine that is predominantly Tempranillo.