Washington Cabernet Sauvignon v. Argentina

After the World Championships the pro cyclists start to wind down their seasons with some R-n-R.  There are still a few select one day races on the calendar and there is a stage race coming up in Australia later in the month.

For now I am going to continue to explore parts of the world that the UCI Pro Tour does not typically visit.  This week features a matchup between a Washington Cabernet Sauvignon and a Cab from Argentina.

 2008 J Bookwalter Foreshadow Cabernet Sauvigon v. 2008 Vina Cobos Felino

Tale of the Tape

2008 J Bookwalter Foreshadow Cabernet Sauvignon

75% Cabernet Sauvignon 12% Malbec 12% Petit Verdot 1% Cabernet Franc

APPELLAT IONS & VINEYARDS

• Columbia Valley 41% Dionysus 26% Conner-Lee 15%
• Red Mountain 28%Klipsun 18% Ciel du Cheval 10%
• Horse Heaven Hills 27% McKinley Springs 27%
• Yakima Valley 4% Elephant Mountain 4%

Aged for 20 months in new and one & two year old French oak barrels. Most if not all of the barrels were three year air dried, thin stave, medium toast with toasted heads.

Purchased from Garagiste for $26.99.

2008 Vina Cobos Felino

92% cab 4% merlot 4% cab franc

Mendoza, Argentina. Vineyards in Luján de Cuyo and Maipú

Aged for 8 months in American and French oak barrels 19% new

Purchased from Corky Cellars for 17.99

Round 1.  First Opening:

The Bookwalter is showing a nose of dark currant, dried grasses and tobacco with some dusty spices of  clove & cinnamon.  The palate is rich dark currant, black cherry, menthol and clove with a cedar spice box finish.

The Vina Cobos has a nose of currant, peat bog and spiced cherry pie.  The palate is showing similar cherry and cinnamon spices with a tart cedar finish that is slightly rimiscent of McDonald's cherry pie in a good way

The Vina Cobos is light on it's feet prancing around the ring floating like a butterfly will it sting like a bee?

The judges had a hard time with this round giving a slight edge to the Vina Cobos for being more active - hopping and skipping around the ring like a ballerina with her hair on fire.

Round 2.  One hour after Opening

The Bookwalter steps into the ring ready to take no prisoners showing a nose of currant, black cherry, cocoa, espresso bean and baking spices.  The palate is super dark cherries and spicy! The finish is tart with cinnamon and pepper spices bashing around the ring like pop rocks.

The Vina Cobos is consistent showing a nose of pie cherry, cinnamon and cherry pie crust.  The palate shows more pie cherry, sweet spices and a sweet green tea finish.

The Bookwalter wasted no time, bulked up and inflicted some major damage on the Vina Cobos in this round evening things up at 1 round for each Luchador.

Round 3. One day later

The Vina Cobos has lost a bit, showing a nose that is a bit lighter with red fruit, cherry pie and some  tropical spices, perhaps a bit of coconut?  The palate is still flaunting notes of pie cherry and cedar spices with a really dry finish that includes some hints of spice in the background.

The Bookwalter is still standing tall, dark and brooding with a nose featuring black cherry, currants, licorice and some barnyard funkiness.  The palate is black cherries and clove spices with a slightly tart finish.

Another close round.  The Vina Cobos continued with a spicy assault on the bruiser from Washington.  In the end the Bookwalter had more in the tank and wore down the Vina Cobos, putting it in a sleeper hold and squeezing until the Luchador from Argentina cried Uncle.  The last round goes to the Bookwalter

Wrap up and over all observations

The Bookwalter was big and intimidating stalking the ring like the Playboy Buddy Rose showing some flash along with the mass.  The Vina Cobos was light on its feet floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee.  Unfortunately, the bee stings weren't enough to bring down the big, bad, Bookwalter. 

I have to give the Vina Cobos some props.  The style was very interesting and much more than I had anticipated from a Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina.  Well played my friend and better luck next time!

I give the Bookwalter an 88 and the Vina Cobos an 88 too.