The Tour de France finished last Sunday with the traditional parade into Paris followed by several high speed laps around the Champs-Elysees. This year's tour lacked any serious attacking by the top GC contenders. They all appeared to be biding their time until the Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe would crack under the pressure of wearing the Yellow Jersey for nearly the entire race.
Things finally came to life in the last few days that featured three big days of climbing in the French Alps. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and the penultimate climbing stage was cut short due to hail and mud slides. The racers times were taken at the top of the Col d'Iseran and as a result Alaphillipe finally lost the race lead to Egan Bernal who only had to hold his GC leader position on Stage 20, which also ended up being shortened due to the same mud slides.
The race appeared to be building to a crescendo with Thibaut Pinot showing signs of being the top climber in the tour. But everything came crashing down on Stage 19. Not just the hail and mud slides, but also Pinot's race as he retired just 30 kilometers into the stage due to a torn thigh muscle.
This week's challenge pays tribute to Thibaut Pinot, one of France's top racers and strongest hope to once again have a Frenchman win le Tour.
Succession Wines 2017 Pinot Noir v. R. Dubois & Fils 2015 Nuits Saint Georges Burgundy
Showing posts with label Burgundy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Burgundy. Show all posts
Monday, August 5, 2019
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Washington Pinot Noir vs. Burgundy
Things are slowing down on the pro cycling scene while the anticipation for the 100th edition of the Tour de France is building. This past week saw some action on the Pro Continental scene at the Tour des Pays de Savoie. The route is in the general vacinity of Burgundy. That sounds like a good enough reason to break out some Burgundy.
This week's challenge features a Washington Pinot Noir from the Horse Heaven Hills facing off against a Pinot Noir from the Cote Chalonnais sub-region of Burgundy.
2010 Gilbert Cellars Pinot Noir v. 2009 Domaine Michel-Andreotti Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes
This week's challenge features a Washington Pinot Noir from the Horse Heaven Hills facing off against a Pinot Noir from the Cote Chalonnais sub-region of Burgundy.
2010 Gilbert Cellars Pinot Noir v. 2009 Domaine Michel-Andreotti Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes
Monday, March 14, 2011
Washington Pinot v. Burgundy
This match pits a Washington state Pinot Noir against a Burgundy from France.
The matchup was inspired by the Paris-Nice stage race which rode through the Burgundy region of France earlier this week. I scoured my cellar searching for likely Luchadors to represent Washington and France. After last week's total dominance by the OS Winery Bordeaux style blend I thought this would be an opportunity for France to regain some Wine Luchador cred.
NV Hard Row to Hoe Pinot Noir v. 2006 Louis Jadot Côte de Beaune Villages
Tale of the tape
Hard Row to Hoe Pinot Noir NV - 50/50 blend of 2008/2009 Pinot Noir from the Lake Chelan AVA Purchased at the winery for $26
2006 Louis Jadot Côte de Beaune Villages
100% Pinot Noir from the Cote de Beaune region of France. Purchased through the Invino website for $14.99 (advertised as 50% off normal retail).
Round 1. First Opening:
Hard Row to Hoe on first opening the nose has lots of bright cherry fruit with an earthy barnyard & peat nose. The palate is tart cherries, strawberry and rhubarb with some notes of cedar on the finish.
Louis Jadot on first opening the nose is red berries and light pepper spice with a palate of dry red cherries and mouth drying finish.
Round 1 goes to Hard Row to Hoe
Round 2. One hour after Opening:
Hard Row to Hoe develops a nice bold cherry tartness with notes of cedar, salt & pepper and lightly smoked meats.
Louis Jadot develops some deeper raspberry and some salt & pepper on the nose and palate. Getting a bit rounder, but still a nice bright expression of Pinot Noir style.
Round 2 goes to Hard Row to Hoe with a body slam of boldness on the French challenger.
Round 3. One day later
Hard Row to Hoe continues to grow bigger and bolder. There is loads of dark plum, dark cherry on the nose and palate with some spice box and light pepper.
One day later and the Louis Jadot remained pretty consistent with the round 2 notes.
Round 3 goes to Hard Row to Hoe.
Wrap up and over all observations
The Washington Pinot was much bolder than the French contestant. However, I will say that the Louis Jadot is a better representation of the Pinot/Burgundy style with plenty of bright red fruit on the nose and palate. This wine would be a great sipping wine sitting out on the patio in the middle of summer. For this I award a style point to Louis Jadot. And after all, aren't the French all about style?
Unfortunately for our French Luchador, the Pacific NW does not see many warm sunny days. That makes the bolder expressions of the Hard Row Pinot a much better style for our home state.
Final tally: Hard Row to Hoe 3, Louis Jadot 1.
The Washington wine dominated the weaker entry from France. I give Hard Row to Hoe an 87 and the Louis Jadot an 85. A closer matchup than last week, but still a dominating performance from the WA State entry.
Salud!
The matchup was inspired by the Paris-Nice stage race which rode through the Burgundy region of France earlier this week. I scoured my cellar searching for likely Luchadors to represent Washington and France. After last week's total dominance by the OS Winery Bordeaux style blend I thought this would be an opportunity for France to regain some Wine Luchador cred.
NV Hard Row to Hoe Pinot Noir v. 2006 Louis Jadot Côte de Beaune Villages
Tale of the tape
Hard Row to Hoe Pinot Noir NV - 50/50 blend of 2008/2009 Pinot Noir from the Lake Chelan AVA Purchased at the winery for $26
2006 Louis Jadot Côte de Beaune Villages
100% Pinot Noir from the Cote de Beaune region of France. Purchased through the Invino website for $14.99 (advertised as 50% off normal retail).
Round 1. First Opening:
Hard Row to Hoe on first opening the nose has lots of bright cherry fruit with an earthy barnyard & peat nose. The palate is tart cherries, strawberry and rhubarb with some notes of cedar on the finish.
Louis Jadot on first opening the nose is red berries and light pepper spice with a palate of dry red cherries and mouth drying finish.
Round 1 goes to Hard Row to Hoe
Round 2. One hour after Opening:
Hard Row to Hoe develops a nice bold cherry tartness with notes of cedar, salt & pepper and lightly smoked meats.
Louis Jadot develops some deeper raspberry and some salt & pepper on the nose and palate. Getting a bit rounder, but still a nice bright expression of Pinot Noir style.
Round 2 goes to Hard Row to Hoe with a body slam of boldness on the French challenger.
Round 3. One day later
Hard Row to Hoe continues to grow bigger and bolder. There is loads of dark plum, dark cherry on the nose and palate with some spice box and light pepper.
One day later and the Louis Jadot remained pretty consistent with the round 2 notes.
Round 3 goes to Hard Row to Hoe.
Wrap up and over all observations
The Washington Pinot was much bolder than the French contestant. However, I will say that the Louis Jadot is a better representation of the Pinot/Burgundy style with plenty of bright red fruit on the nose and palate. This wine would be a great sipping wine sitting out on the patio in the middle of summer. For this I award a style point to Louis Jadot. And after all, aren't the French all about style?
Unfortunately for our French Luchador, the Pacific NW does not see many warm sunny days. That makes the bolder expressions of the Hard Row Pinot a much better style for our home state.
Final tally: Hard Row to Hoe 3, Louis Jadot 1.
The Washington wine dominated the weaker entry from France. I give Hard Row to Hoe an 87 and the Louis Jadot an 85. A closer matchup than last week, but still a dominating performance from the WA State entry.
Salud!
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