The 2025 edition of the Giro d' Italia was chock full of emotions and exciting racing. The drama began to unfold on Stage 9 in Tuscany which made use of the white gravel roads of the Strade Bianchi.
Local racer Diego Ulissi started the day in the race leader's jersey. Riding on his home roads as the first Italian to hold the race lead since Vincenzo Nibali in 2016.
The race was decided late in the day as Wout Van Aert broke away from a small group of racers along with Isaac Del Torro. The two racers worked well together, although Wout forced Del Torro to do most of the work heading into the final uphill meters of the course.
Ultimately, Van Aert came around Del Torro to take the stage victory while Del Torro moved into the Maglia Rosa as the general classification leader. Del Torro, the first Mexican bike racer to lead the Giro, would hold the race lead all the way to the penultimate stage. There, he wound up in a staring match with Richard Carapaz as Simon Yates rode away on the Finestre climb to take the GC lead and win the overall race in a fitting turn of events.
Similar to the Giro's race drama between the young racer Del Torro and the experienced Simon Yates, this Lucha Vino match up features a fresh young Washington Sangiovese challenging a seasoned veteran from Italy.
Vibe Cellars 2022 Barrel Select Sangiovese v. 2012 Castillo de Gabbiano Belleza Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Tale of the Tape
100% Sangiovese from the Chandler Reach Vineyard of the Yakima Valley AVA
Aged for 18 months in a mix of new and neutral French Oak Barrels
Available at the Lake Chelan tasting room for $43
Provided by the winery for this match up.
100% Sangiovese from the Estate Belleza Vineyard
Aged for 16 months in Tuscan Oak Casks and 500 Litre barrels followed by lengthy bottle aging before release.
Current vintages are available at retail for ~$53
Round 1. First Opening
The young, exuberant, Luchador from Vibe Cellars steps into the ring with ultimate confidence. The nose features notes of tart cherry, cedar bark, leather and light spices. The palate follows with tart cherries, cracked leather tannins and an acid driven finish that closes with cherry and cedar spice notes.
Castillo de Gabbiano, a cagey veteran, circles the ring and dives in low to take out the Washington Sangiovese's legs. The nose is showing deeper cherry character with light cola and baking spices. The palate delivers tart bing cherry and dry cedar spices built on a strong tannin backbone.
Castillo de Gabbiano lays down the law with veteran savvy and takes the first round.
Round 2. One Hour After Opening
Vibe Cellars is changing things ups, looking for opportunities to take the upper hand. The nose has evolved to show characteristics of cherry compote and lightly spicy pie crust. The palate continues to deliver on the promise of tart cherries and cedar spices.
Castillo de Gabbiano may be slightly over confident. The nose shows dark cherry notes along with hints of menthol spices. The palate doubles down on the dark cherry and tart cedar spices with acidity beginning to come to the forefront.
The Vibe Cellars Luchador is light on its feet, taking the Italian by surprise with a flying body slam off the top rope and taking round two.
Round 3. One Day After Opening
The match is all tied up 1-1 heading into the final round. Which one of these combatants has the strength and stamina to take the final round and win the match.
Vibe Cellars is bringing the noise and representing Washington with strength and vibrancy. The nose is holding strong with characteristics of cherry compote, menthol and lightly spicy pie crust. The palate is building strength with flavors of dark and tart cherries, menthol and cedar spices.
Castillo de Gabbiano, the Italian challenger, is fighting back with plenty of power in reserve. The nose is showing stamina with dark cherry notes, light cedar and coffee bean combined menthol spices. The palate is packing a punch with dark cherry, tart cedar and baking spices riding a backbone of acidity.
This round came down to the judges scorecards and Washington's Vibe Cellars squeaks out a narrow 3rd round, and match, victory with its youthful zest for competition.
Wrap Up and Overall Observations
It's always interesting to taste wines from different regions and vintages. Both of these wines showed well.
The Vibe Cellars Barrel Select Sangiovese has many good years ahead of it.
The Chianti Classico from Castillo de Gabbiano was still going strong with 10 years of age.
Both are worth seeking out, with the Castillo de Gabbiano probably being easier to find at retail.
This starts a three challenge series featuring Vibe Cellars. Next up, the Tour de France!
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