Washington Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Santa Cruz

Most stage races are won in the mountains.  The month of May includes two top stages races, The Tour of California and the Giro d'Italia.  Both races provide multiple mountain stages for the climbers to enforce their will on the rest of the peleton.

In this year's Tour of California Tadej Pogacar made the decisive move on the sixth stage to Mt. Baldy.  He started the day in fourth and took the overall lead be winning the final mountain finish of this year's race.

Wine challengers can try to follow the same strategy.  In this week's challenge California heads to the Santa Cruz Mountains to find their challenger for Cabernet Sauvignon supremacy!

Saviah Cellars 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Mount Eden 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon


Tale of the Tape

Saviah Cellars 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Anna Marie and McClellan

Aged for 24 months in 50% new French Oak Barrels

Provided as a sample by the winery.  Available at retail for $45











Domaine Eden 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

75% Cabernet Sauvignon
14% Merlot
6% Cabernet Franc
4% Petit Verdot
1% Malbec

Aged in twice-fifth use French Oak barrels.

Purchased at Esquin for $41.99.







Round 1.  First opening

Saviah Cellars swaggers in to the ring with some serious confidence.  The nose features dark currant, savory smoked meat and floral violets.  The palate doubles down on the swagger with dark currant, cocoa and coffee bean with hints of menthol and a cracked pepper finish.

The Mount Eden luchador battles back with an agile attacking style.  The nose is showing herbal dried cherries, leather and candle wax.   The palate follows suit with dry cherries and light dried herbal notes followed by a slightly tannic finish.

This match looks like it is going to feature a clash of opposite styles.  Saviah Cellars takes round 1 with a more robust, aggressive style.

Round 2. One hour after opening

The grappler from Washington is showing no sign of letting up, bringing the power with a nose of dark currant, blue berry, savory bacon fat and cracked pepper with some floral overtones.  The palate showcases dark fruit, cocoa powder, coffee bean and light menthol with spicy cracked pepper on the finish.

Mount Eden is stepping up its game with a nose of dank forest floor, dark cherry and light white pepper.  The palate is showing currants, light pepper and notes of dry leather with a dry fine grained tannin finish.

Round 2 was closer due to the California challenger's increased intensity.  Even so, Saviah takes round 2 and a commanding 2-0 lead.

Round 3. One day after opening

And Saviah looks to end this match in convincing fashion with a wicked clothes line to the throat of the Mount Eden luchador.  The nose follows suit with dark currant, blue berries, coffee and olive brine all topped off with light floral tones.  The palate is equally dark with notes of dark berries, cracked pepper, cocoa powder and menthol spice followed by a savory tannin fueled finish.

The Mount Eden Cabernet is stunned.  Staggering around the ring, the nose has evolved to show pungent forest floor, wet leaves, dark cherry and light white pepper spices.  The palate is featuring dark and tart cherry and dried leather with a fine graphite tannin finish.

Saviah Cellars takes round 3 for a decisive 3-0 victory in this clash of Cabernet titans!

Wrap up and overall observations

This was a battle of heavy weights with contrasting styles.  Both of these wine luchadors brought their A game to the battle.

The Saviah Cellars reserve Cabernet Sauvignon showed off the sultry character of Walla Walla and The Rocks.

The Domaine Eden Cabernet Sauvignon represented the complexity that wines made from higher altitude California vineyards can bring.

You can't go wrong with either one of these selections.  They are drinking well now and should continue to age for at least 5 more years.