January typically features the start of the professional road racing season with the Australian national championships and the Tour Down Under. Even though we have put 2020 in the rear view mirror, that doesn't mean that our lives have returned to normal times. And that holds true in the world of pro cycling as well.
The Tour Down Under was cancelled, but the Australian National Championship races carried on and featured plenty of action across many race disciplines including Time Trials, Criteriums and Road Races.
The latest Lucha Vino matchup features a Washington Syrah from a Portland, Oregon, winery taking on an Australian Shiraz from the McLaren Vale.
2012 Fausse Piste Les Vignes de Marcoux vs. 2010 Mollydooker The Boxer
Tale of the Tape
2012 Fausse Piste Les Vignes de Marcoux
100% Syrah from the Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA
Aged for 24 months in older Burgundy barrels.
Provided as a sample by the winery. Newer vintages are available at retail or direct from the winery.
100% Shiraz from the Longbottom, Birchmore and Langhorne Creek vineyards in the McLaren Vale.
Aged in 60% new and 40% once-used American oak barrels.
Newer vintages available at retail for $30.
Round 1. First Opening
The Mollydooker Boxer is switching up and trying to cross over to the wrestling ring. Welcome to Lucha Libre my pugilist friend! And this Boxer is charging full speed ahead with a nose of dark logan berries, currants, coffee, menthol and light cocoa. The palate follows with a show of force featuring dark fruit, cocoa and light pepper with an oily finish.
The Fausse Piste is lean and wiry, circling the ring and tormenting the Boxer with a variety of rapid fire moves. The nose shows plum, bright blue fruit and light herbal bark notes. The palate is slightly bolder with notes of dark fruit and floral violet top notes. The finish features tart cedar bark tannins.
The Boxer was showing serious power, but wasn't able to slip inside the Fausse Piste defenses. Round 1 goes to the Washington Luchador.
Round 2. One hour after opening
Oh my! Fausse Piste was taken by surprise. Shaking it off and staggering around the ring the Washington luchador is showing a nose with more cherry notes, light menthol and white pepper. The palate is similar with flavors of cherry and cracked pepper with a menthol spice finish.
Round 2 goes to the aggressive Australian challenger.
Round 3. One day after opening
With the match tied at one round each, the winner will be decided by this final round. And, once again, the Boxer is bringing the power with a dark savory nose featuring dark currants, plum and olives. The palate is equally savory with dark fruits and olive brine with a viscous mouth feel.
Fausse Piste is shaking off the last round and building more power with a nose showing more dark character of blue fruit and white pepper. The palate continues to show cherry notes with the addition of blue berries followed by menthol, coffee bean and cracked pepper.
The final round was close, but the judges award the final points to Fausse Piste due to the Washington luchador's evolution and strategic adjustments throughout the match!
Wrap up and overall observations.
The Mollydooker Boxer took me by surprise. I was expecting a more typical Australian Shiraz with bold, fruit forward, character. Instead, this Shiraz featured plenty of savory notes that were actually reminiscent of a Washington Syrah from The Rocks.
The Fausse Piste, from Red Willow in Yakima, started slow and built bold aromas and flavors throughout the challenge. This Syrah built character and was still going strong on day two.
These wines were quite different and both are worthy of seeking out.
I will have to try these out!
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