Washington BDX Style Blend vs. Right Bank Bordeaux

The Tour de France starts on Saturday.  This year's route covers 3,540 km over 21 stages with plenty of terrain that offers the opportunity for a variety of riders to achieve victory.  In the end, there is only one true winner - the rider that arrives in Paris wearing the Maillot Jaune, aka The Yellow Jersey.  This is the rider that completes all 21 stages in the fastest cumulative time.

There are other jerseys are on the line too, including:

• The Green Jersey for the best all around rider.  This jersey has come to be known as the Sprinter's Jersey in recent history.
• The Polka Dot Jersey for the best mountain climber.  This rider is also known as the King of the Mountains.
• The White Jersey for the best young rider.  This is the highest placed racer under the age of 23.

All these opportunities add up to multiple races within the bigger race.  There are more than a handful of racers eyeing victory in this year's tour.  All the top riders finished off their preparation with the Criterium du Dauphine or the Tour de Suise.

Just like the pro racers, I've topped off my Tour preparation with a recent Bordeaux Right Bank Ruckus featuring St. Emilion vs. Washington.

2014 Auclair Right Blend vs. 2008 Chateau Barde-Haut Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Gold Medal Part II: Washington Cab Franc

Week 2 of the Olympics and another Gold Medal matchup is on tap.  Just how do these Olympians feel about not winning Gold?  Here is what Gregory Bauge, the World Champion Track Cyclist from France, said about winning Silver in the Men's Sprint finals

"I don't like losing. This is a defeat in a big event, it angers me. This is a failure for me personally," Baugé said. "It is four years that I've dominated in my discipline. I wanted gold, it's a disappointment. I do not train twice a day for this disappointment." (courtesy of cyclingnews).

Now you know how it feels to be the "first loser."

Track cyclists can be a fiesty lot.  In their honor this week's matchup features Cabernet Franc - a grape with a spicy personality of its own.

2007 Vin du Lac Barrel Select Cabernet Franc v. 2009 cloudlift Ascent

Washington State BDX Style v. France

This past weekend featured the Paris-Roubaix one day race - the bookend on the ultimate week of spring classic racing.  It is tough to find grapes (or anything else) growing in this bleak North Western corner of France.  This part of the country was essentially destroyed in WW I & II by bombing attacks.  There is more than one reason Paris-Roubaix is known as The Hell of the North.  The region is making a comeback, but slowly like a blown out racer trying his best to avoid getting swept up by the broom wagon.

Tom Boonen continued his hot streak by winning Paris-Roubaix after winning Flanders the previous weekend.  If you like symmetry then you have go to love Boonen.  This is the second time he has won these two Spring Classics in the same year.

Since this race begins in Paris, the city of lights, you can lay your hands on virtually any kind of wine or food you want.  The city will not be denied its guilty pleasures.  The Lucha Vino challenge features a French Bordeaux blend from the Right Bank (Merlot dominant) facing off against a Washington state Bordeaux style blend.  Can this young upstart from Washington take down one of the elders of the red wine world?

2009 Desert Wind Ruah from Washington vs. 2008 Chateau Guibeau from the Right Bank

Let's get it on!!

Tale of the Tape


Desert Wind Ruah 2009 50 % Merlot, 34 % Cabernet Sauvignon,
13 % Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 1% Barbera sourced from the Desert Wind Estate Vineyard on Red Mountain.

Aged in American oak for 12 months

2008 Chateau Guibeau Puisseguin Saint-Emilion
Merlot 75% Cab Sauv 15% Cab Franc 10%

Aged for 12 months in 30% new French oak barrels.

Purchased from Garagiste for $13.99.













Round 1. First Opening

Desert Wind blows into the ring like a dry desert, uh, wind.  This luchador is dry and not quite ready for prime time.  The nose has raspberry and some dusty dark cherry.  The palate is tart pie cherries with a tart cherry bark finish.

Chateau Guibeau appears to be equally reluctant to mix it up.  The nose has some nice cherry cinnamon and spice notes.  The palate shows light cherries and cedar spices that linger on to a tart cedar cherry finish.

Neither one of these Luchadors was ready to step into the ring.  This was close on the judges cards, but the Guibeau was seen as the aggressor so took round 1.

Round 2.  One hour after Opening

The crowd is anxious to see if these combatants have warmed up and are ready to grapple.

Desert Wind is showing a nose of dark currant, cherry and slightly earthy clove and cinnamon spice.  The palate is dark cherry and cedar spices that linger on to a tart spiced finish.

The Guibeau is still slumbering with a nose of cedar tart cherry stems and a palate of tart pie cherries and a tart dry finish.

The Desert Wind has loosened up while the Guibeau seems to have lost interest.  Desert Wind takes round 2 with little opposition from the French Challenger.

Round 3. One day after Opening

The match is all tied up at one round apiece.  The winner is going to be the Luchador that steps up and takes command of this final round.

Desert Wind steps into the ring with authority and the crowd roars.  The nose is showing dark cherry, cracked pepper and dusty leather.  The palate is equally robust with dark cherry, dusty tart cedar spices and a spicy cracked pepper finish.

The Guibeau is getting low attempting to find its power, but not having much success.  The nose shows cherries and melon with some herbal spices.  The palate is cherries and tart Asian spices that lead to a dry finish.

The Washington Luchador took some time to get going, but in the end found the confidence and motivation to take control and win the match in the final round.

Wrap up and over all observations

Merlot dominated the blend for both of these Luchadors so I was very surprised at how tightly wound they were.  Both of these Luchadors could benefit from a few more years of training (or laying low in the cellar).

I would rate both of these wines as an 85 with the potential to bulk up in the next 3 - 5 years.

Washington BDX Blend v. Tuscany

Why should French Bordeaux get to have a stranglehold on this particular style of blended red wines?

Giorgia Bronzini, the UCI Women's Road Racing World Champion, is making a similar statement this week.  Why isn't her World Champion Jersey considered the equal of Mark Cavendish's World Champion Jersey.  She has a legit claim and points out a fundamental inequity in professional sports.  Men get paid more than Women in the same sport.  Why?  Advertising and sponsor dollars seem to be at the root of most answers.

That brings me back to my original question.  Why do the French get to lay claim to a particular style of wine making?  Much like Bronzini, the Italians have been showing their disdain for the French by making the very same style of wine in Tuscany.  The Super Tuscan wines are double rebels, striking out against the restrictive Italian DOC wine making requirements AND flaunting their style at the French.  And just like a professional wrestler, the Super Tuscans have proven their ability to take the authorities to task applying wine making skill that equals the power of a Suplex.

This week's Lucha Vino matchup features Bordeaux style blends with Cabernet Franc supplying the bulk of the muscle.

Fall Line 2007 Exhibition v. Tenuta di Trinoro 2007 le Cupole

Tale of the Tape

2007 Tenuta di Trinoro 2007 le Cupole

40 % Cabernet Franc
22% Cabernet Sauvignon
30% Merlot
8% Petit Verdot

Aged for 8 months in 2nd, 3rd and 4th use French oak barrels and an additional 10 months in cement.

Purchased from Garagiste for $19.99

2007 Fall Line Exhibition


46% Cabernet Franc
22% Merlot
18% Cabernet Sauvignon
14% Petit Verdot

The grapes were sourced from the Aldercreek (Horse Heaven Hills), Artz (Red Mountain) and Boushey (Yakima Valley) vineyards.

Aged for 18 months in 42% new French oak barrels.

Purchased at the winery for $20.00




Round 1.  First Opening

Le Cupole seems to be lacking interest in this confrontation.  Like a jaded actor, this Luchador seems to be asking "What's my motivation?"  The nose shows notes of medium red berries, clove and dusty brambles.  The palate is unusually dry, showing dry red berries and a tart cherry bark finish.

The Exhibition is well named putting on an exhibition of strength with a nose of currants, logan berry, clove and hints of buttery cocoa.  The palate also shows juicy currant and logan berry with a finish that features some coffee bean and light notes of semisweet chocolate.  The longer you hang around you start to notice some buttered popcorn character.  (Is the Exhibition kicking back and enjoying some popcorn while waiting for the Tuscan to remember its lines?)

The Le Cupole definitely did not live up to expectations for a blend with Cab Franc as the dominant grape.  The Exhibition rose to the occasion and took the first round with relative ease.

Round 2.  One hour after Opening

What's this?  Le Cupole has awakened!  Rising from the mat le Cupole is showing some interest with a nose of herbal spices, dusty brambles and dark berries.  The palate is brooding with dark logan berries and a brambly dark tart spiced finish.

The Exhibition is going toe to toe with the revitalized Tuscan.  The nose has dark smokey fruit and cracked pepper character with a palate of dark fruit and a tart finish that features coffee bean and light notes of cocoa.

The judges had to go to the review booth on this round as the action in the ring was nearly dead even.  Le Cupole takes the round as a result of new found motivation and points awarded by the judges for coming back from the land of the lost.

Two rounds into the match this fight is even up with both Luchadors having earned one point.  On to the third and decisive round.  The winner will take all!

Round 3. One day later

Le Cupole is showing remarkable stamina with a nose that features dusty raspberries, logan berries and a slight brambly funkiness.  The palate is similar with juicy red berries, brambles and light cedar spices that trail off into a tart sweet cherry bark finish.

The Exhibition is leaving nothing to chance muscling up for the final round with a nose that has evolved to feature earthy notes of dark fruit and buttery leather.  The palate is also showing earthy dark fruit and cracked pepper that continues on to the finish rounding out with some buttery savoriness.

This round was close with the Exhibition showing greater muscle and strength, thus taking the final round and the match.

Wrap up and over all observations

The le Cupole from Tuscany didn't deliver on my expectations for a Bordeaux style blend dominated by Cabernet Franc out of the gate.  As the match heated up the le Cupole began to rise to the challenge.

On the flip side.  The Fall Line Exhibition hit the ring ready to rumble.  It left no doubt as to the strength and character of the Cabernet Franc in the mix.  In the end this strength and stamina carried the Exhibition to the top step of the podium and victory.

The le Cupole shows promise and I will check back with my other bottle in about a year to see how it has evolved in the cellar.

I give the le Cupole an 87 based on potential for the future and the Exhibition an 88 for the here and now.

Washington Bordeaux Style Blend v. California

Things are getting down right silly with the pro cycling teams.  Some are pretending to be Israeli Commandos.  Others are jumping out of airplanes.  Why?  To develop the bonds that will make them feel like a team?  More like, to prove that they will do whatever their Directeur Sportif tells them to do.  And that they are willing to sacrifice whatever it takes for "the Capo."

Whatever the reason, it is safe to say that things are in deed pretty silly.  To honor the strange, unusual and the silly this week's Lucha Vino matchup features a Bordeaux style blend from Washington taking on a California Borudeax style blend with a twist.

Washington 2007 High Tower Red Mountain Red v. California 2007 Audelssa Tephra

Tale of the Tape

2007 Audelssa Tephra

Sonoma Valley AVA

55% Cabernet Sauvignon
30% Syrah
10% Merlot
5% Zinfandel

Aged in 40% new French oak barrels and an additional 12 months in bottle.

Purchased at Bin 41 for $27.99

 2007 High Tower Red Mountain Red

Just like the name says from the Red Mountain AVA
53% from Shaw Vineyard and 47% from Out of Line Estate Vineyard

63% Cabernet Sauvignon
11% Merlot
16% Cabernet Franc
5% Petit Verdot
5% Malbec


Aged for 20 months in oak barrels.

Purchased from Garagiste as a Mystery Wine.



With relatively equal parts of the two boss grapes Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot this battle could come down to how the California Syrah and Zinfandel matchup against the Washington Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.  Let's get it on!

Round 1.  First Opening

The Audelssa springs from the top rope with a signature half gainer with a twist.  The nose is medium red berries, earth, leather and light hints of spice.  The palate is medium red berries and clove spices that continue on to a slightly tart and spicy finish.

When will you learn not to mess with Officer High Tower?  This luchador has a spicy temperament showing a nose of dark fruit, currant, earth and some funky forest floor.  The palate is equally evil with dark stone fruit and a serious spicy clove finish.

The battle is fierce between these two red blends with High Tower taking the first round with a slight edge on points.

Round 2.  One hour after Opening

Audelssa still has a spring in its step showing a nose of medium red fruit and light cedar spices with a touch of hot alcohol.  The palate is also showing medium red fruit and spicy tart cedar notes that carry on to the finish.

High Tower is demonstrating strength and power with a nose that is deep dark and brooding with earthy spiciness.  The palate is dark fruit, bitter sweet chocolate and tart spiced finish.

Another close round with Audelssa dancing around the ring and playing some rope-a-dope working to avoid the the High Tower thunder.  A good survival tactic, but not one for winning.  High Tower is the aggressor and earns the points for round 2 from the judges.

Round 3. One day later

Audelssa made it to the third round and is looking for some late match fireworks.  The nose is bright red berries, raspberry, loganberry, earth, leather and light pepper.  The palate shows off the same red berry character with earthy brambles and a slightly tart and spicy finish.

High Tower stomps into the ring showing this luchador still has plenty of power in the tank.  The nose is dark fruit, earth and candle wax with some savory soy sauce notes.  The palate is big as well showing dark fruit and some pepper and menthol spices finishing off with a bit of cloves and cedar tartness.

Audelssa made it to round three and launched a gallant attack on High Tower.  In the end, the strategy was not enough to topple the giant from Red Mountain.  High Tower takes round three and the match 3-0.

Wrap up and over all observations

This was a closer match than the score would indicate.  Audelssa narrowly missed taking the points in all three rounds.  The Syrah + Zinfandel duo added more medium bodied brightness to the battle while the Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec really brought out some serious bruising character in the Red Mountain Red.

I give the High Tower Red Mountain Red aan 89 and the Audelssa an 88.

Washington Bourdeaux Style Blend v. Bourdeaux

The pros are finishing up the first week of the Tour de France. The route has started heading South through Central France.  There has been lots of action in the first week of the race, including the first Tour de France win for Washington's own Tyler Farrar on the 4th of July!  Tyler is the first American to win a stage of the Tour on our Independence day.

Here are a couple of good reviews of the first week of racing.  Robert Millar won the climbers jersey (polka dot jersey) in the 1984 edition of the Tour.  He has a solid racer's perspective on the race.  And here is a review from our anonymous insider.  He has access to inside details and another good analysis of what has happened in the first week of the race.  And finally, our Bike Snob talks about working for the weekend.

The Lucha Vino tour challenge picks up with a Bordeaux match up.  Both of these Luchadors feature similar blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  They differ when it comes to the third varietal in the mix.  Washington will feature Cab Franc, Bordeaux will feature Petite Verdot.  A tag team match up with a Cab Franc v. Petite Verdot wild card thrown in for triple the fun.

2008 Fall Line Red Willow v. 2006 Chateau Moutte Blanc Grand Vin (Bordeaux Superieur)

Tale of the tape

2008 Fall Line Red Willow

53% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc sourced from the Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley.  Aged in 36% new French oak barrels for 18 months.

Purchased at the Fall Line winery for $28.

2006 Chateau Moutte Blanc Grand Vin (Bordeaux Superieur)

50% Merlot, 25% Cab, 25% petit verdot aged for 14 months in 30% new French Oak barrels.

Purchased for $15.83 from Garagiste.

This match up will feature covert tag in from Cab Franc and Petit Verdot as they lurk in the shadows waiting to pounce when least expected.  Let's see what these black ops varietals bring into the ring.

Round 1.  First Opening:

On first opening the Fall Line Red Willow has a nose of plum, toast, some peat bog funk with some cedar baking spices.  The palate is big and spicy with plum, a bit of cedar, black cherry and toffee that lingers on into the finish.

The Chateau Moutte Blanc Grand Vin has a nose of earth, forest floor, underbrush and sour citrusy pie cherries.  The palate features bright light red fruit with cranberries and a dry tart cedar finish.

The Red Willow is making like a Red Devil dealing out the pain right off the bat easily taking round one and putting the Grand Vin in a spot of bother.

Round 2.  One hour after Opening

The Red Willow is really getting sassy.  The nose has big notes of dark fruit, black cherry, coffee and some spicy cedar & cocoa.  The palate is equally bold with rich spicy black cherry and semi-sweet chcocolate that moves on to a finish of espresso and more cedar spice.

The Grand Vin has loosened up a bit, but still seems to be a bit tight and intimidated by the Red Willow.  Showing a nose of red fruit, brambles, white pepper and earth with a palate of red stoney fruit with a bit of menthol that finishes with tart cherry pit.

Round 2 goes to the Red Willow with the Grand Vin putting up little resistance.

Round 3. One day later

The Fall Line Red Willow is still dominating.  The nose is dark red fruit, mineral with some forest floor funky mushrooms hinting in the background.  The palate is still spicy with semi-sweet chocolate,  rich red fruit and some coffee bean on the finish with steady notes of cedar and spice.

The Grand Vin is still dry and tart with the nose showing primarily funky underbrush with some light notes of cherry.  The palate is tart pie cherry and cedar that moves on to the finish that is still quite dry with cherry bark and cherry pit on the finish.

The Red Willow easily takes round 3 and the match with a score of 3 - 0.

The French may have put a rider in the Yellow Jersey before the first rest day, but this French Luchador certainly did not strike much of a menacing pose.  Nobody is going to mistake it for The Badger.

Wrap up and over all observations

The Washington Bordeaux style blend showed much more muscle than the actual Bordeaux Luchador.  The Cab Franc secret ingredient may have been the kicker.  Regardless this match was never in doubt with the Red Willow cracking the whip from the opening bell to the closing gong.

I give the Fall Line Red Willow an 88 and the Chateau Moutte Blanc an 85.