Washington Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Barossa

Some people say that Australian wines are falling out of favor.  Well, don't tell that to the Australian bike racers that, once again, dominated the Tour Down Under.  And don't tell that to this Cabernet Sauvignon challenger from Langmeil based in Barossa.

The Tour Down Under marks the beginning of the professional road racing season.  Most racers are just starting to return to form.  However, the Australian racers are in peak condition since their National Championship races happen a week earlier.  This race has been dominated by the Ausies for the past decade, winning 7 out of the last 10 editions.  Richie Porte won the 2020 Tour Down Under for his second overall title in the last four years.

This week's Luchavino matchup features an Australian challenger from Barossa taking on a Washington Carbernet Sauvignon.

2016 Structure Cellars Stillwater Creek Cabernet Sauvignon vs. 2016 Langmeil The Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon

Let's see if the Australian wine challenger from Barossa has as much success as the Australian bike racers!

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Santa Cruz

Most stage races are won in the mountains.  The month of May includes two top stages races, The Tour of California and the Giro d'Italia.  Both races provide multiple mountain stages for the climbers to enforce their will on the rest of the peleton.

In this year's Tour of California Tadej Pogacar made the decisive move on the sixth stage to Mt. Baldy.  He started the day in fourth and took the overall lead be winning the final mountain finish of this year's race.

Wine challengers can try to follow the same strategy.  In this week's challenge California heads to the Santa Cruz Mountains to find their challenger for Cabernet Sauvignon supremacy!

Saviah Cellars 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Mount Eden 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Argentina

The early months of the year bring chilly weather to most of the Northern hemisphere.  This typically brings out the cyclocross racers who love racing in the bad weather.  Conversely, the pro road racers scramble for warmer climates, drawn to locations such as Australia and Argentina.

This Luchavino matchup follows the pros to Argentina where they competed in La Vuelta de San Juan, a week long stage race that takes place at the end of January.  The majority of the 7 stages take place around the city of San Juan which is located in the wine region of the same name and just to the North of the Mendoza region.

37 Cellars 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Caremelo Patti 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon v. Alexander Valley

The Tour of California originally took place early in the season to avoid conflicts with bigger races in order to draw top cycling talent to the States.  As the race grew in popularity the promoters took the plunge and went head-to-head with the Giro d' Italia.  Much like a lucha libre matchup, these two heavy weight bike races contend for top talent every year in the month of May.

This past week saw the pros giving it their all in the state of California, battling for victory from San Diego to Santa Rosa.  The penultimate stage of the race took place on Saturday with Santa Rosa hosting the race start and finish.  The riders encountered 8,600 feet of climbing over 6 classified climbs as they road west to the California coast and then back inland to complete several finishing circuits through the streets of Santa Rosa.

Sometimes crazy things happen in bicycle races (just like they do in a Lucha Libre wrestling match).  This past Saturday provided a great example of the unexpected.  Even with the substantial number of climbs, a sprinter hung on to take the stage victory!  Kudos to the Norwegian, Alexander Kristov, for hanging on through the hills to hold his position and then set himself up for the sprint glory.

This week's Lucha Vino matchup honor's Alexander's tenacity with a matchup of Washington Cabernet vs. the Alexander Valley.

Eight Bells 2011 David's Block Cabernet Sauvignon v. Simi 2012 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

WA Walla Walla Cabernet vs. California

The first week of the Giro d' Italia and the Tour of California took place simultaneously during the second week of May.  The races were physically separated by thousands of miles.  Yet, both featured similar high intensity racing.

Many racers commented that the first week of racing in this year's Giro was the hardest ever.  No more showing up and racing into top form during the first week.  This year the top riders were doing battle from the very first day.

Meanwhile, over in California the racers were locked in a series of stages featuring long breakaways and intense bunch sprint finishes.  Mark Cavendish dominated the sprints taking 4 victories out of the 8 stages.

This week's Lucha Vino matchup features a battle royale of Cabernet heavyweights from Washington and California.

2011 Laurelhurst Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon v. 2011 Kokomo Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

WA Cabernet Sauvignon Sibling Rivalry

This past weekend featured the TASTE WA Grand Tasting, capping off Washington wine month. The Lucha Vino challenge stays with the Washington theme this week featuring a intra-family battle.   This sibling rivalry could get ugly.

Tildio Cabernet Sauvignon slam fest 2007 v 2008 v 2009 with family bragging rights on the line.

Washington Cab v. Alexander Valley

The most hyped (and possibly) biggest American sports event took place last weekend.  That's right, Superbowl XLVII (47 for those of us that are Roman Numeral challenged).  The biggest, baddest brawl featuring men clad in tight fitting clothes, body armor and helmets.

This year's superbowl featured East vs. West with the Baltimore Ravens taking on the San Francisco 49ers.  When the Ravens ran the second half kickoff back for a touchdown this looked like it was going to be another boring blowout.  Instead, San Francisco stepped up and threw down a bad ass comeback and nearly stole the game.

This week's matchup stays close to home and features some West Coast style with a Washington Cabernet Sauvignon taking on a challenger from the Alexander Valley.

2006 Cadence Camerata v.  2006 Close du Bois Briarcrest Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon v. Australia

The early season racing continued in Australia with their National Championships last week.  Luke Durbridge pulled off a first ever double with victories in the Time Trial and Road Race.  Keep your eyes and ears open for some high quality results in 2013 from this young Aussie that races for the Orica-Green Edge team.

The racing took place in Victoria last week.  That location lead to a Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon doing battle with a Washington Cabernet from Sheridan vineyards.

2009 Jim Barry The Cover Drive v. 2009 Sheridan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Battle in Seattle I: Washington v. Australia

According to the Mayan calendar the world will end on December 21st.  Or, perhaps, the calendar just starts over again at the beginning.  Or...

A lot of people have jumped on the end of the world band wagon so I figured I might as well hop on for the ride and see where it takes me.

Three of my favorite Seattle Urban Wineries are hosting an End of the World party on December 21st.  As a lead up to their event, I will feature each of their wines in a series of matches I am calling The Battle in Seattle.

Match number 1 features a Washington Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon blend taking on an Australian blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.  These bruisers go toe to toe in a match that could shake the Earth to its core.

2008 Laurelhurst Cellars Azorica v. 2002 Taltarni Cephas

Walla Walla Cab vs. Argentina

This is the time of year when the pros are searching for warm training environs so they can get back to the ABCs of bike racing.  All the contracts are signed and the team rosters are set.  Some of the teams are holding training camps and team building experiences like swimming with dolphins, playing war games or pretending to be mountain climbers.

Whatever the activity may be, it is all about getting on the same page, building some comaraderie and getting the ABCs for their season dialed in

This week's Lucha Vino challenge features the ABC (and Ws) of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Argentina Crios 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon v. 2009 Brand Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon v. Napa Valley

The San Francisco Giants won the World Series in four straight games.  I don't need any better reason to choose one of the giants of the grape world for this week's challenge.

This week's matchup features a Washington Cabernet Sauvignon taking on a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley.

2008 Powers Cabernet Sauvignon Sheridan Reserve v. 2008 Rombauer Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Gold Medal Washington Cabs

The Summer Olympics started this weekend in London and that got me inspired to think about medal winners. 

Here is a test.  Pick your favorite Olympics event.  Do you remember who came in 4th in the 2008 Olympics?  Do you remember who won the Silver medal?  How about the Gold?  If you are like me, you probably only remember the Gold medalist.  Most people are so focused on Gold they call everybody except the Gold medal winner a "loser."  Seriously?  If you won the Silver or Bronze you were still the 2nd or 3rd best person in the world on that day.  It might not have been gold, but Silver and Bronze doesn't seem like "losing" to me.

After all that philosophy, I am going with a Gold Medal matchup between two Washington State Cabernet Sauvignons this week.

2009 Cedar River Ava's Crush Cabernet Sauvignon v. 2009 JB Neufeld Artz Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington BDX Cab Blend v. Left Bank Bordeaux

The Tour de France wrapped up on Sunday with the traditional "parade" on to the Champs-Elysees.  The race for the overall victory is usually determined on the preceding Saturday's stage.  This year, it seems, that the overall victory was decided on stage 7 when Bradley Wiggins took over the yellow jersey.  His Team Sky executed with so much precision and determination it left the other teams in the race wondering what hit them.

So, with the race pretty much "in the bag" could you blame any of the racers for daydreaming about a side trip to Bordeaux when the race reached the finishing town for stage 18 in Brive-la-Gaillarde?  The wine would have been tempting especially considering the 200+ mile bus ride they all had to take to Bonneval for the stage 19 Individual Time Trial.  

In honor of the daydreamers, this week's challenge features a Washington Bordeaux style blend taking on a Left Bank Bordeaux from an Old School producer.

2008 Soos Creek Champoux v. 2009 Lafite Baron's de Rothschild Reserve Speciale Medoc

Tale of the Tape

2008 Soos Creek Champoux

77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Merlot all from the Champoux vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA

Purchased from Full Pull Wines for $31.49.

2009 Lafite Baron's de Rothschild Collection Medoc Reserve Speciale

70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot from the Medoc

Aged for 3 - 9 months in 20% new oak barrels.

Purchased from Esquin for $25.99.










Round 1. First opening

The Soos Creek Champoux is ready and raring to go.  Wasting little time and taking the fight straight at the old school Luchador from Bordeaux.  The Soos Creek is showing a nose of red berries, toasted oats and candle wax.  The palate is featuring rich red berries, dark cherries, licorice, clove and menthol that lingers on to the slightly tart spice filled finish. 

Lafite doesn't seem to be taking this New World challenger too seriously.  Getting off to a slow start the Baron has a dark brooding nose of dark berries, cherries, toast and roasted meat with a hint of pepper.  The palate is primarily pie cherry with a tart cedar finish.

The Soos Creek is much more active and lively in the first round taking the first point of the match.

Round 2. One hour after opening

The Soos Creek Luchador is building confidence and spicy swagger.  The nose has character of dark cherry, licorice and dusty semisweet chocolate.  The palate features dark cherry and tart cocoa mixed with notes of coffee bean along with clove and menthol cedar spices that flow on to the finish.

The Baron's corner is trying to stir this mighty giant into action.  Their exhortations seem to be in vain.  The Baron is showing a nose of dark cherry and roasted meats.  The palate features cherries and tart cedar that resolves to the finish.

If the Baron can get its hands on the sprightly Soos Creek Luchador it could mean trouble.  This giant Bordeaux Luchador is packing some damaging dark power.  So far, Soos Creek is using speed and quickness to its advantage taking another round and going up 2-0 on the Baron.

Round 3. One day after opening

This is the last chance for the Baron from Bordeaux.  Can the French Luchador land a devasting knock out punch to the Soos Creek Luchador?  A single body slam from this giant could be enough to end the match in a hurry.

The Soos Creek is clearly aware of the potential disaster that could result from standing still.  Bobbing and weaving this Washington State Luchador is remaining elusive.  The nose is featuring black cherry, licorice and clove spices with hints of wintergreen & coconut.  The palate is big and lush with black cherry, spices, coconut and semisweet chocolate that lingers to the finish along with a bit of eucolyotus.

The Baron is beginning to come alive.  The nose is showing dark cherries, earthy spices and light toast.  The palate is getting spicy with black cherry, all spice and a nice slightly cedar spice tart finish.

Sadly for the Baron, it was too little too late.  Soos Creek takes the final round and the match 3-0.

Wrap up and overall observations.

This match was a study in two different styles.

The Washington Luchador featured plenty of spices, cocoa and lush dark fruit.  Characteristics that seem to be the calling card of many Horse Heaven Hills grapes.  The Champoux fruit definitely proves that this is one of Washington state's top notch vineyards.  Of course, you still need some skill to take quality ingredients and build them into a quality product.  Dave Larson's (the Soos Creek winemaker) skills show through in this fine Bordeaux style blend.

The Baron from Bordeaux was slow to get going.  Brooding and dark on day one.  Then beginning to lighten up a bit on day two.  This wine seems to support the belief that Old World wines need some time to rest in the cellar before enjoying.  This wine was good now, but I could see it being even better in the future.

I give the Soos Creek a solid 90 and the Lafite an 87.

Red Mountain Rivalry

Have you ever witnessed an internal struggle for control of a team?  There have been many famous instances of in-fighting in the pro peloton.  Young Turk v. Old Veteran, American v. French etc. etc.

Two of the more famous battles in the Tour de France included the same protagonists: Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault.

In 1985 Hinault played some wicked tricks on Lemond in order to win le Tour. After winning, he promised to support Lemond's bid for victory in 1986.  That promise did not last long, but Hinault's lack of integrity did not pay off with a French victory.  In fact, it was Lemond that pulled through with the victory despite Hinault's efforts to win the Grand Boucle himself.

Another classic internal team battle raged in 2009 between Lance Armstrong and Alberto Cantador, both riding for Astana and both demanding to be the Astana team leader.

With just a little over two weeks to go until the start of the 2012 Tour de France the Lucha Vino challenge reflects on internal rivalries featuring a Battle Royale between two Laurelhurst Cabernet Sauvignons from Red Mountain.

2008 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon v. 2008 Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon  Both from Laurelhurst Cellars.

These wines are made from grapes grown on Red Mountain.  The only thing that separates the two vineyards is a dirt road.  These two Luchadors are ready to throw down in a battle to see who will own the road and claim the family's Red Mountain supremacy.

Walla Walla Cab v. Napa

This week I take a break from following the Giro and chase the pro peleton through California.

The Tour of California is an 8 stage race that starts in Northern California and traces a route South ending in Los Angeles.  This race is a new comer to the pro race scene and after 3 years of racing in February moved to May to take on one of the three Grand Tours - the Giro d' Italia.  How much tradition is this California upstart taking on?  2012 marks the 95th edition of this race through Italy while 2012 marks the 7th edition of the Tour of California.

When you want to put on a show you go BIG.  The final stage of most of the big stage races, like the Tour de France, is really just a ceremony.  A spectacle celebrating the glory of the race and place, oh and don't forget the bike racers...

Where do you go for this type of spectacle in California?  Hollywood? Beverly Hills? Los Angeles?  How about all three?!  Yes, the Tour of California ended with a race that visited all three of these California hot spots.  The stage started in Beverly Hills, passed through Hollywood and then ended on the streets of Los Angeles.  The winner of the tour had already been decided the day before on the final mountain stage.  So that left this stage for the sprinters to go for glory one final time.  And Peter Sagan from Liquigas-Cannondale flexed his muscles again,  winning his 5th stage of the ToC.  I think that was a record.

If you are going to go big with California wine you can go a variety of places.  Napa, Sonoma County, the Central Coast ...  For this week's matchup we go to Napa the AVA some people consider to be the King of US Appelations.  And while we are at it we will select a Cabernet Sauvignon, the grape many consider to be the King of grapes.

This week's matchup features a new comer from Walla Walla Washington taking on the old timer from California.

2007 Skylite Cellars v. 2007 Beringer Private Reserve

Walla Walla Cross Town Throw Down

The Giro d'Italia is less than a week away and there is excitement in the air. Why? There are many reasons that the Giro stirs such emotion...

• It is the first of the three grand tours (the others being the Tour de France and Vuelta Espana).
• The start of the race coincides with what most Northern Hemisphere countries consider to be their Spring season.
• The pace of the race is moderated by the Italian "Capos" which means that in the old days there were casual stops along the way for food and sustanance.
• The Italian landscape is spectacular and you get to see a lot of it! Mountains, coastal areas and metropolitan centers.
• The race has a certain style and flair to it that seems to be unique to Italy.
• Every Italian bike racer dreams of winning their home tour.

Just like Italy is a hotbed for cycling, Walla Walla is a hotbed for Washington wine.  This unlikely giant, located in the far South East corner of Washington State, has generated a huge following and reputation for the Washington wine industry. You cannot talk about Washington wine without mentioning Walla Walla.

This week's matchup features two Walla Walla heavyweights in a cross town throw down. There are bragging rights on the line. Like the Italian bike racers, these Luchadors are high strung and highly motivated.  There are rumors of dirty dealing, rule bending and other underhanded behavior and that is before the match has even begun!

Like Mario Cipollini, who used to pull the race guide from his pocket and point out where the peloton was allowed to "race" over the day's route, these Luchadors may stoop to trickery to win this bout...

2006 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon v. 2006 Beresan Cabernet Sauvignon

Cross State Cabernet Rivals

If you are a fan of the Classics this weekend begins the best 7 days of your life.  First up is the Tour of Flanders, also known as the Ronde van Vlaanderen or just The Ronde.  Six days later you get Paris-Roubaix or The Hell of the North.  These are two epic one day races.  Many of the most famous racers in history have etched their names on the winner's trophy.  Likewise, many of the best racers have spent their whole careers chasing the dream of winning Paris Roubaix (see Hincapie, George close in 2001 and 2005, 2006 etc, etc, etc...).

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the classic grapes and is world renowned as one of the King Grapes.  This week's Lucha Vino matchup  honors the Classic One Day races, Cabernet Sauvignon the classic grape and Washington Wine Month.

East vs. West an Intrastate Rivalry

Gramercy Cellars 2008 Lower East Side represents Walla Walla from the furthest South East corner of Washington State.

Alta Cellars 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon based in Woodinville represents the West Side.

Tale of the Tape

Gramercy Cellars 2008 Lower East Side Cabernet Sauvignon

Aged in 80% used and 20% new Oak Barrels 

Purchased from Full Pull Wines for $29.99.

80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot from the Portteus, Flying B and Gramercy estate vineyard










Alta Cellars 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

96% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Sagemoor, Weinbau and DionysusVineyards
and 4% Petit Verdot from the Meek Vineyard

Aged for 23 months in 80% new French oak barrels.

Purchased at the Alta Cellars tasting room for $25.00

Round 1. First Opening

The Gramercy Cellars comes out swinging all elbows and knees taking no prisoners.  The nose is featuring dark currant, tar, smokey brambles and cracked pepper.  The palate is dark currant, cedar and cracked pepper that lingers on to the finish with some hints of coffee.

The Alta Cellars is showing some wicked speed and agility with a nose of currant, raspberry, earth and underbrush notes.  The palate is dark cherry and cloves with a tart Asian spice finish.

These Luchadors are featuring very different styles.  The Gramercy Lower East is packing major power while Alta Cellars is spry, quick and light on its feet.

Round 1 goes to Gramercy based on some punishing body blows.

Round 2.  One hour after Opening

Gramercy continues to intimidate with an icy stare and a nose of dark currant, soy and sweet peppers.  The palate is big and bold with dark currants, cracked pepper and sweet Asian spices on the finish that is also slightly nutty.

Alta Cellars counters with an attack featuring some spinning leg sweeps and fists of fury.  The nose is clean and crisp with dark cherries, all spice and slight metallic and mineral notes.  The palate shows dark cherries and cloves that linger on to a finish that features tart cedar, pepper and clove spices.

This round was close and tough to judge.  Again, the styles are dramatically different with both Luchadors scoring points and causing damage.  In the end the judges gave a slight edge to Gramercy Cellars.

Round 3. One day after Opening

This has been a close match and it is do or die for Alta Cellars.  If Alta is going to win it will take a knockout of the East Side Rival.

Gramercy Cellars seems to be losing some steam, not uncommon with big bruisers that tend to lack the stamina to go long and strong.  The nose is showing green pepper, currant and asphalt with some floral notes.  The palate is somewhat one dimensional with dark smoky currants ending with a slightly tart finish.

Alta Cellars is floating like a butterfly and hoping to sting like a bee.  Launching from the top rope and dropping an atomic elbow on the slow moving East Sider.  The nose is showing dark cherries and Asian spice with some menthol.  The palate is lively with dark cherries, clove and menthol ending with a tart spiced finish.

Alta Cellars rallied to easily take round 3, but did not record the knock out it needed to take overall victory.

In the end the final score was Gramercy Cellars Lower East 2 and Alta Cellars 1.  If this match had gone another round I suspect that Alta Cellars would have scored a knockout. 

Wrap up and over all observations

It was interesting to go for an in state match up with two Cabernets made on both sides of Washington state.  While the wineries hale from different sides of the Cascade mountains the grapes are all from the East side of the state.

The styles of these Luchadors was a study in contrast.  Gramercy Cellars was living large with bold characters on the nose and palate.  As a counter point, the Alta Cellars was lively and sprite yet still packing a powerful punch.

Both wines were excellent and I would give them each a solid 88

Washington Cabernet v. Italy

Last week was the first European road race of the year.  This week is the first Italian road race of the year - G.P. Costa degli Etruschi.  This race is so Italian the race's official website is only available in Italian.  The race starts in the South near San Vincenzo and heads North tracing a route along the Western coast through the Tuscan wine region toward Livorno for a big circuit before heading South for several small circuits that pass by Bolgheri.

Following the race route this week's challenger comes from Bolgheri featuring a Cabernet Sauvignon dominated Super Tuscan Luchador Greppicante Bolgheri Rosso up against a Walla Walla Stunner from Amavi Cellars.

2008 Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon v. 2008 Greppicante Bolgheri Rosso

Tale of the Tape

2008 Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 5% Syrah and 3% Cabernet Franc

Grape sources: 45% Seven Hills, 41% Pepper Bridge, 8% Les Collines, 6% Goff all in the Walla Walla AVA

Aged in 30% new oak barrels of 88% French, 6% Hungarian, 6% American

Purchased from Full Pull Wines for $24.99

2008 Greppicante Bolgheri Rosso

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the Bolgheri DOC in Tuscany.  Said to be a Cabernet Sauvignon dominanat blend, but the percentages are a mystery.

Aged for 10 months in oak barrels with an additional 3 months of bottle aging.

Purchased from Garagiste for $17.81.








Round 1.  First Opening

The Amavi Cab floats into the ring with a nose of light red berries some floral notes and hints of Cheerios.  The palate shows medium red berries with similar notes of oats and some cheerio tartness on finish.

The Bolgheri Rosso wastes no time.  Bringing the noise from the opening bell with a nose of dark currant, dusty earth and Asian cedar spices.  The palate backs up the bravado with currant, herbal tartness and a spicy tart finish that trails off with some nice cherry bark notes.

Bolgheri brings the pain punishing the Amavi cab with a series of bruising body shots to take the first round.

Round 2.  One hour after Opening

That first round was a wake up call and Amavi is answering the call of the alarm clock.  The nose has bulked up showing dark currant, black cherry and some smokey barnyard funk.  The palate is equally bold with dark currant and cola with dry tart cedar finish.

The Bolgheri is building more complexity into its attack with a nose of dark currants, leather, earth and menthol spices.  The palate also shows dark currants along with Asian spices that lead to a tingly tart pepper spiced finish.

This round was closer, but Bolgheri takes the points with an aggressive attack.  Amavi took some punishment but isn't backing down.

Round 3. One day later

Amavi is looking for an edge and an angle to land a knockout blow.  The nose is smokey and dark currants with some menthol and spices.  The palate is dark currant, cherry cola leading to a dry cherry bark finish.

Bolgheri is dropping bombs - look out below!  The nose has bold character of dark currant along with dusty, smokey cracked pepper.  The palate has notes of dark currant, black cherry cola and a tart finish.

The Amavi Cab showed big time character by not backing down from the onslaught of the brutish Bolgheri.  In the end, the Italian from Tuscany was too much to handle taking all three rounds of the match.

Wrap up and over all observations

These Luchadors were a close match in terms of make up even if the names indicated different weight classes with Washington Cabernet Sauvignon v. Italian Rosso.

The Washington Cabernet Sauvignon could just as easily have been called a Red Blend with Cab, Merlot, Syrah and Cab Franc coming together to create some fine character.

The Bolgheri Rosso was Cab, Merlot and Cab Franc.  These three grapes created a big and bad Luchador that dished out a massive amount of punishment.

I give the Bolhgeri an 88 and the Amavi an 87.

Washington Cabernet v. Australia

The UCI Pro Tour kicked off the 2012 season with the Tour Down Under.  This race is building momentum and interest among the pro tour teams with many racers looking to test their early season form.  The early stages of the race were dominated by the sprinters and puncheurs.  Andre Greipel showed that he is going to be a force to reckon with when the Spring Classics fire up in a couple of months.

The Queen stage of the race took place in the McClaren Vale.  The new Australian based Green Edge team setup their man Simon Gerrans for the victory on the uphill finish, but he was out kicked at the end by Alajandro Valverde making his return from a 2 year ban for being linked to the Operation Puerto blood doping scandal.  The good news for Australia was that Gerrans took over the overall race lead and held his lead in the final stage for the Tour Down Under victory.

This week's matchup honors Australia with a Cabernet Sauvignon from the McClaren Vale taking on a Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley.

2007 McKinley Springs Cabernet Sauvignon v 2007 Mitolo The Jester Cabernet Sauvignon

Tale of the Tape

2007 McKinley Springs Cabernet Sauvignon

A combination of the old (1980-planted) block and some newer parts of the vineyard located in Horse Heaven Hills AVA.

91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot.

Aged for 22 months in 50% new oak barrels (80% French & 20% American).

Purchased from Full Pull Wines for $13.49.

2007 Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon


100% Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% of the grapes dried in Amarone style.  The grapes were grown in the Willunga District in the Southern end of the McClaren Vale.

Aged for 9 months in 2 - 4 year old French oak barrels.

Purchased at Esquin for $15.99.








Round 1.  First Opening


What's this? The McKinley Springs luchador is descending into the ring from the rafters in a steel cage.  Steel bars may be the only thing that can contain the power of this Washington Cab.  The nose is showing dusty currants, some barnyard funk and light pepper.  The palate is full of rich black cherry, coffee, clove and cinnamon spices with a black cherry cola finish.

The Jester is already slipping into defense mode throwing out bad jokes like Don Rickles at a Celebrity Roast.  The nose is musty forest floor with herbal notes and dark fruit.  The palate is also showing dark black berries with a hint of vanilla and a dark sweet & tart finish.

The Jester is dark, brooding and a bit slippery.  The McKinley Springs Cab is big bold and looking to stomp the challenger into submission.  This mean streak is showing right from the start with McKinley muscling its way to a round one victory. 

Round 2.  One hour after Opening

The McKinley Spring is pumping itself up like you would not believe.  The nose is black cherry, currant, cocoa and cedar spices including cinnamon and menthol notes.  The palate is also showing black cherry, menthol, eucalyptus, cocoa & semi sweet chocolate with a slightly tart espresso bean and clove finish.

The Jester is still relying on wit showing a nose that is earthy black fruit and a palate of black fruit with a tart spiced mouth drying finish.

The McKinley Springs has no mercy.  Sensing fear this Washington Luchador is all over The Jester from Down Under with a massive attack of chocolate spicyness.  I'm not sure, but McKinley could be hitting the caffeine too hard and may have to submit to a WADA drug test.

Pending the PED test the McKinley Springs takes round two as well.

Round 3. One day later

The McKinley Spring is showing no sign of slowing down with a nose of dark fruit, vanilla, toffee and some barnyard funk topped of with a bit of spiciness.  The palate is dark rich fruit, cocoa, clove &  cinnamon spices with a tart menthol semisweet chocolate finish.

The Jester is crying like a baby showing a nose of dusty dark sweet fruit with some musty seaweed forest floor.  The palate is dark fruit with a musty tart sweet finish.

The Jester was just never able to get started.  It was rich and sweet with a bit of must, almost like a grandmother.

Wrap up and over all observations

The McKinley Springs Washington Cabernet Sauvignon is like a covert agent.  Lurking in the background waiting to launch a sneak attack.  And you better watch out when it attacks cuz this Luchador is one bad mother.

The Jester was an interesting example of Cabernet Sauvignon from the land down under.  Interesting in the sense that the sweet dark musty character seemed to be more in line with a sweet dark Aussie Shiraz than a Cabernet Sauvignon.

This match was never close from the moment the McKinley Springs dropped into the ring and popped out of the steel cage that was holding it back.  I gave the McKinley Springs an 89 and the Jester an 85.