Cross State Washington Cabernet Clash

December is cyclocross season for the pro bike racers and some of the best racers are battling it out in Belgium.  The race conditions get brutal at this time of year with all sorts of mud, sand and snow all topped off with thousands of screaming fans lining the courses.

Our weather may not be quite so radical, but this week's battle just might be worthy of the hype.  The final installment in the Lucha Vino Seattle Urban Wineries v. Lake Chelan AVA intra-state rivalry series features a clash of Cabernet Sauvignons - what some people call The King of Grapes.  This one is a doozy, featuring a young gun stepping up to challenge a wily veteran.

2010 OS Winery BSH vs. 2005 Chelan Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington State Syrah Smackdown

The pro road cyclists are on vacation for the next couple of months.  While the pros relax I'm picking up my Seattle Urban Wineries vs. Lake Chelan intra-state rivalry series.

This week's match features Eight Bells 2009 Yakima Valley Syrah representing Seattle and Nefarious 2009 Defiance Estate Syrah defending the honor of Lake Chelan.

Eight Bells 2009 Yakima Valley Syrah v. Nefarious 2009 Defiance Syrah

Seattle vs. Chelan with an Italian Twist

The Tour de France starts on Saturday.  In an interesting twist, most countries run their national championships the week before the biggest bike race of the year.  The timing of these events results in some unusual national champions.  Most professionals, at the direction of their Trade Team, will choose to race the Tour rather than contest their national championship.  Sadly, most of the pros are motivated by (and more loyal to) the paycheck they earn racing for their team than national pride.

The timing of the two races also means that many national champions do not race in the Tour de France.  Weird.  Isn't it?

Speaking of weird.  This week's challenge features the return of the Washington intrastate rivalry between the Seattle Urban Wineries and Lake Chelan.  Washington v. Washington is not weird.  Weird is the Italian inspiration featured by these two combatants.  In this case, weird is not bad.  Weird is intriguing.

2007 Stomani Terremoto v. 2007 Tsillan Cellars Piccolo Rosso

Seattle v. Chelan in a BDX Style Brawl

Last year I started featuring Washington v. Washington wine brawls once a month.  I chose Cabernet Sauvignon as my focus for 2012.

In 2013 I am going to feature Seattle Urban Wineries taking on Lake Chelan AVA rivals.  There are some absolutely fabulous wines being made in both locales.  My hope is to crank up the volume and shine the spotlight on some awesome Washington wines each month.

First up is a match featuring Bordeaux Style blends dominated by Cabernet Franc.

2008 Fall Line Boushey Vineyard Red Blend v. 2009 Kamari Reserve Red from the Blending Room