The Vuelta Espana featured a final week of racing in Northern Spain that included a number of mountain passes and hill top finishes. Chris Horner put together several good races and took over the race lead, putting himself in position to be the oldest grand tour winner ever.
This week we pay homage to old guys with an old vine Garnacha from Northern Spain taking on a Washington State Tempranillo.
2007 Tildio Tempranillo v. 2010 Tres Picos Borsao Garnacha
Showing posts with label Garnacha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garnacha. Show all posts
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Friday, September 6, 2013
Washington Garnacha v. La Mancha
One of the most intringuing racers has been Chris Horner, the "old man" of the peloton. Horner is 41 years old and has been on the sidelines for most of the year due to knee issues. He returned at the Tour of Utah and told everybody that the Vuelta was his goal. So far, he is backing up his words with action!
This week's Lucha Vino challenge features a Garnacha from Washington taking on an "old man" from La Mancha.
2009 Almquist Family Vintners Garnacha v. 2008 Cien y Pico Garnacha
Friday, November 18, 2011
Washington Garnacha v. Spain
There is a lot of early season racing in Spain as the pro peloton tries to stay dry and warm. An interesting early season race series takes place in Mallorca. There are 5 one day races that are run like a race series, yet no overall winner is declared by the race organizers.
Searching for some warm weather the Lucha Vino challenge opened a bottle of Garnacha from Monsant throwing down a big challenge to Washington state. Idilico Garnacha stepped up to the challenge. Let's see how this match turns out.
2008 Vespres v. 2009 Idilico Garnacha
Tale of the Tape
2008 Vespres
80% Garnacha and 20% Samso' (Carignan)
Aged for 8 - 10 months in French Oak Barrels
Purchased for $20 at Bottle House during tasting with Classical Wines.
2009 Idilico
100% Garnacha from Upland Vineyard on Snipes Mountain
Aged for 12 months in neutral French oak barrels.
Purchased for $18.99 from Full Pull Wines.
Round 1. First Opening
The Vespres jumps into the ring with a nose of rich red fruit, currant, savory toasty spices and hints of leather. The palate shows tart red berries, leather and light spices with a dry finish.
Idilico starts out with a subtle attack featuring a nose of strawberries and some light toasty character. The palate is showing slightly tart red berries with some hints of pepper and a bit of hazelnut on the finish.
Vespres wasted little time taking the fight to Idilico and earning the points for the first round.
Round 2. One hour after Opening
Vespres isn't slowing down with a nose of rich dark fruit, leather and floral notes. The palate is dark fruit. cedar spices and a long tart spiced and slightly nutty finish.
Idilico is trying a myriad of styles to counter attack the Vespres. This round Idilico is showing a nose of toasted red fruits and dark Asian spices. The palate is dark currant, spices and a tart toffee, espresso bean and clove finish.
Idilico takes round two bobbing and weaving and stealing points when Vespres isn't looking.
Round 3. One day later
Vespres continues to step up its game with a nose of savory licorice, spices and cocoa. The palate is also showing dark fruti, chocolate and spices that linger on to the toffee infused finish.
The legendary bull, Idilico, may have defied the odds by surviving the bull fighting ring in Spain, but suffers a less glamorous fate in the final round of our match. Showing a nose of barnyard, earth, red fruit and Asian spices with a palate of medium red fruit, clove and a finish of light nutty cedar.
Idilico continues to put up an attack of varied and interesting styles, but has no retort for the power displayed by Vespres.
Wrap up and over all observations
Two great Luchador warriors entered the ring in this match. Both displayed skill and stamina, building from one round to the next with the Vespres from Montsant taking the final round and the victory.
I give each of these wines a solid 89 for longevity and character.
Searching for some warm weather the Lucha Vino challenge opened a bottle of Garnacha from Monsant throwing down a big challenge to Washington state. Idilico Garnacha stepped up to the challenge. Let's see how this match turns out.
2008 Vespres v. 2009 Idilico Garnacha
Tale of the Tape
2008 Vespres
80% Garnacha and 20% Samso' (Carignan)
Aged for 8 - 10 months in French Oak Barrels
Purchased for $20 at Bottle House during tasting with Classical Wines.
2009 Idilico
100% Garnacha from Upland Vineyard on Snipes Mountain
Aged for 12 months in neutral French oak barrels.
Purchased for $18.99 from Full Pull Wines.
Round 1. First Opening
The Vespres jumps into the ring with a nose of rich red fruit, currant, savory toasty spices and hints of leather. The palate shows tart red berries, leather and light spices with a dry finish.
Idilico starts out with a subtle attack featuring a nose of strawberries and some light toasty character. The palate is showing slightly tart red berries with some hints of pepper and a bit of hazelnut on the finish.
Vespres wasted little time taking the fight to Idilico and earning the points for the first round.
Round 2. One hour after Opening
Vespres isn't slowing down with a nose of rich dark fruit, leather and floral notes. The palate is dark fruit. cedar spices and a long tart spiced and slightly nutty finish.
Idilico is trying a myriad of styles to counter attack the Vespres. This round Idilico is showing a nose of toasted red fruits and dark Asian spices. The palate is dark currant, spices and a tart toffee, espresso bean and clove finish.
Idilico takes round two bobbing and weaving and stealing points when Vespres isn't looking.
Round 3. One day later
Vespres continues to step up its game with a nose of savory licorice, spices and cocoa. The palate is also showing dark fruti, chocolate and spices that linger on to the toffee infused finish.
The legendary bull, Idilico, may have defied the odds by surviving the bull fighting ring in Spain, but suffers a less glamorous fate in the final round of our match. Showing a nose of barnyard, earth, red fruit and Asian spices with a palate of medium red fruit, clove and a finish of light nutty cedar.
Idilico continues to put up an attack of varied and interesting styles, but has no retort for the power displayed by Vespres.
Wrap up and over all observations
Two great Luchador warriors entered the ring in this match. Both displayed skill and stamina, building from one round to the next with the Vespres from Montsant taking the final round and the victory.
I give each of these wines a solid 89 for longevity and character.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Washington Grenache v. Spanish Garnacha
It sees like the Tour de France just ended and here we are one week away from the Vuelta Espana starting! Many of the pro teams will be doing recon rides preparing for the three week race through Spain. Our matchup this week is a preview of things to come - a Washington State Grenache from Walla Walla takes on an old vines Garnacha from the Calatayud DO in Spain.
2009 Vinyl Wines EQ v. 2009 Evodia Garnacha
Tale of the Tape
Vinyl Wines EQ
100% Grenache sourced from Cockburn ranch in Walla Walla. Aged for 16 months in third fill French Oak.
Purchased from Bin 41 for $25 during a wine tasting with the wine maker, Chip McLaughlin.
Altovinum Evodia Garnacha
100% old vine Garnacha (up to 100 years old) in the village of Atea. Tank aged.
Purchased from Esquin for 9.99.
Round 1. First Opening:
The Vinyl EQ has a nose of red berries, some light smoke, earth and macha green tea. The palate is also showing sweet red berries with some nice cedar spice box and a sweet cherry bark acidic finish with some hints of green tea.
The Evodia is much darker, brooding with currant, black cherry fruit and spices on the nose with a palate of primarily black cherry and a sweet acidic finish with some drying cedar at the end.
Vinyl EQ takes round one showing a complex range of kung fu that the Evodia is not able to match.
Round 2. One hour after Opening
The EQ is cranking the knobs up toward eleven with a nose of sweet-n-sour red berries, strawberries and tart cedar spice with some espresso bean lingering in the background. The palate is showing off more of the green tea character mixed in with red berries and Asian spices. The finish is nicely tart with similar green tea and notes of cherry bark.
The Evodia is bold, with a nose of dark fruit, black cherry, licorice and menthol spice. The palate is also showing black cherry, some tea and cedar spices with a dry cedar spice box finish.
The Evodia came out swinging in round two with body blows and an attempt at delivering some double fisted pain. The show of force was easily countered by the EQ's spinning leg sweep knocking the brutish Old Vines to the mat.
Down, but not out, Evodia loses round two but seems to be gathering forces for a final showdown in round three.
Round 3. One day later
The EQ has maintained much of its complexity still showing many layers of subtle power. The nose has maintained the sweet red berry character along with cedar and spice. The palate is also showing the ripe red berry character with some notes of tea and sandal wood with a dry finish.
The Evodia is also still going strong with a nose of dark fruit, dusty leather and under brush with a palate of sweet dark berries and a tart slightly dry finish
Round three goes to the Vinyl Wines EQ for a clean sweep of all three rounds in the match.
Wrap up and over all observations
This was an interesting matchup. The Grenache from Walla Walla showed many layers of complexity that continued to evolve over the three rounds in the match. The Old Vines Garnacha was big and bold, but tended to remain in a narrower style band.
I liked both of these Luchadors, although their styles were considerably different. In the end the Vinyl Wines EQ took the tournament three rounds to zero, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Like most contests, there is more to the bout than the final score!
I give the Vinyl Wines EQ an 88 and the Evodia Garnacha an 86.
2009 Vinyl Wines EQ v. 2009 Evodia Garnacha
Tale of the Tape
Vinyl Wines EQ
100% Grenache sourced from Cockburn ranch in Walla Walla. Aged for 16 months in third fill French Oak.
Purchased from Bin 41 for $25 during a wine tasting with the wine maker, Chip McLaughlin.
Altovinum Evodia Garnacha
100% old vine Garnacha (up to 100 years old) in the village of Atea. Tank aged.
Purchased from Esquin for 9.99.
Round 1. First Opening:
The Vinyl EQ has a nose of red berries, some light smoke, earth and macha green tea. The palate is also showing sweet red berries with some nice cedar spice box and a sweet cherry bark acidic finish with some hints of green tea.
The Evodia is much darker, brooding with currant, black cherry fruit and spices on the nose with a palate of primarily black cherry and a sweet acidic finish with some drying cedar at the end.
Vinyl EQ takes round one showing a complex range of kung fu that the Evodia is not able to match.
Round 2. One hour after Opening
The EQ is cranking the knobs up toward eleven with a nose of sweet-n-sour red berries, strawberries and tart cedar spice with some espresso bean lingering in the background. The palate is showing off more of the green tea character mixed in with red berries and Asian spices. The finish is nicely tart with similar green tea and notes of cherry bark.
The Evodia is bold, with a nose of dark fruit, black cherry, licorice and menthol spice. The palate is also showing black cherry, some tea and cedar spices with a dry cedar spice box finish.
The Evodia came out swinging in round two with body blows and an attempt at delivering some double fisted pain. The show of force was easily countered by the EQ's spinning leg sweep knocking the brutish Old Vines to the mat.
Down, but not out, Evodia loses round two but seems to be gathering forces for a final showdown in round three.
Round 3. One day later
The EQ has maintained much of its complexity still showing many layers of subtle power. The nose has maintained the sweet red berry character along with cedar and spice. The palate is also showing the ripe red berry character with some notes of tea and sandal wood with a dry finish.
The Evodia is also still going strong with a nose of dark fruit, dusty leather and under brush with a palate of sweet dark berries and a tart slightly dry finish
Round three goes to the Vinyl Wines EQ for a clean sweep of all three rounds in the match.
Wrap up and over all observations
This was an interesting matchup. The Grenache from Walla Walla showed many layers of complexity that continued to evolve over the three rounds in the match. The Old Vines Garnacha was big and bold, but tended to remain in a narrower style band.
I liked both of these Luchadors, although their styles were considerably different. In the end the Vinyl Wines EQ took the tournament three rounds to zero, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Like most contests, there is more to the bout than the final score!
I give the Vinyl Wines EQ an 88 and the Evodia Garnacha an 86.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
WA Grenache v. Garnacha
This week the feature race for the pros is the Queen of the Spring Classics - Paris-Roubaix. I'm not sure why, but I think of this as a Belgian race even though it takes place in France. The race starts in Paris and goes North to the Roubaix Velodrome. The race is affectionately known as The Hell of the North due to the cobblestone roads, bad weather and bombed out terrain from World War II.
Instead of tracing the Paris-Roubiax route for this week's match, I have chosen to follow the Tour of the Basque Country, also known as the Vuelta ciclista Al Pais Vasco since the defending champion is Chris Horner a resident of Bend Oregon in the Pacific NW.
2005 DiStefano Grenache v. 2005 Las Pizarras del Jalon Garnacha Vinas Viejas
Tale of the tape
2005 DiStefano Grenache
96% Grenache and 4% Malbec from the Columbia Valley
Purchased for 17.99 at Wine World
2005 Las Pizarras del Jalon Garnacha Vinas Viejas
100% Estate grown Garnacha from the Calatayud DO in Northern Spain
Purchased for 16.99 from Garagiste
Round 1. First Opening:
DiStefano has a nose of strawberry, smoke and peat bog with a smokey toasted cherry palate that finishes with a sweet cherry cough syrup character that lingers on (unfortunately).
Las Pizarras has a nose of dry rose petals and light peat bog with a palate that features light red fruit and berries with a light berry finish.
The Pizarras is light, what some might call feminine. I have to give round one to the Pizarra, the character might be ligher than the DiStefano, but it is more appealing and hints at better things to come later in the bout.
Round 1 goes to Pizarras. I get the distinct feeling that both contestants have more to show. What do they have in store?
Round 2. One hour after Opening:
The DiStefano nose is still showing smoke, peat and now has a hint of hazelnut? along with strawberry and cherry. The palate is strawberry and rhubarb with a sweetly tart finish and, I am happy to say, the cherry cough syrup has gone away!
The Pizarras nose is mostly strawberry with some lightly dusty dried flower character. The palate is also showing strawberry and tart rhubarb with some cedar notes on the finish.
Round 2 was much closer than the first round. The scoring was close, but this round goes to the DiStefano.
Round three will decide the victor in this match. Which wine has the staying power to rise to the challenge and clinch the match in round 3?
Round 3. One day later
The DiStefano has regressed and is showing character more similar to when it was initially opened. The nose is mostly strawberry and raspberry with light hints of cedar. The palate is similar and sadly the tart cough syrup finish has returned.
The Pizarras is still showing dusty rose petals and raspberry on the and the palate is strawberry rhubarb with a tart and slightly sour finish.
The DiStefano didn't last over night and loses this round by tripping over its shoe laces coming out of the corner. The Pizarras didn't have a whole lot left in the tank but was able to fall on top of the DiStefano and get the three count to win the round.
Round 3 goes to Pizarras giving Spain the victory 2 to 1.
Wrap up and over all observations
This match was relatively close. Both the Washington Grenache and Spanish Garnacha were relatively light showing subtle character and flavors. Neither packed much of a punch which disappointed me. I expected more, especially from the Garnacha. I mean, with a name that sounds so powerful you should come out and kick sand in the face of Grenache.
Final tally: Pizarras 2, DiStefano 1.
I would give the Pizarras an 85 and the Distefano an 84.
Haste Luego
Instead of tracing the Paris-Roubiax route for this week's match, I have chosen to follow the Tour of the Basque Country, also known as the Vuelta ciclista Al Pais Vasco since the defending champion is Chris Horner a resident of Bend Oregon in the Pacific NW.
2005 DiStefano Grenache v. 2005 Las Pizarras del Jalon Garnacha Vinas Viejas
Tale of the tape
2005 DiStefano Grenache
96% Grenache and 4% Malbec from the Columbia Valley
Purchased for 17.99 at Wine World
2005 Las Pizarras del Jalon Garnacha Vinas Viejas
100% Estate grown Garnacha from the Calatayud DO in Northern Spain
Purchased for 16.99 from Garagiste
Round 1. First Opening:
DiStefano has a nose of strawberry, smoke and peat bog with a smokey toasted cherry palate that finishes with a sweet cherry cough syrup character that lingers on (unfortunately).
Las Pizarras has a nose of dry rose petals and light peat bog with a palate that features light red fruit and berries with a light berry finish.
The Pizarras is light, what some might call feminine. I have to give round one to the Pizarra, the character might be ligher than the DiStefano, but it is more appealing and hints at better things to come later in the bout.
Round 1 goes to Pizarras. I get the distinct feeling that both contestants have more to show. What do they have in store?
Round 2. One hour after Opening:
The DiStefano nose is still showing smoke, peat and now has a hint of hazelnut? along with strawberry and cherry. The palate is strawberry and rhubarb with a sweetly tart finish and, I am happy to say, the cherry cough syrup has gone away!
The Pizarras nose is mostly strawberry with some lightly dusty dried flower character. The palate is also showing strawberry and tart rhubarb with some cedar notes on the finish.
Round 2 was much closer than the first round. The scoring was close, but this round goes to the DiStefano.
Round three will decide the victor in this match. Which wine has the staying power to rise to the challenge and clinch the match in round 3?
Round 3. One day later
The DiStefano has regressed and is showing character more similar to when it was initially opened. The nose is mostly strawberry and raspberry with light hints of cedar. The palate is similar and sadly the tart cough syrup finish has returned.
The Pizarras is still showing dusty rose petals and raspberry on the and the palate is strawberry rhubarb with a tart and slightly sour finish.
The DiStefano didn't last over night and loses this round by tripping over its shoe laces coming out of the corner. The Pizarras didn't have a whole lot left in the tank but was able to fall on top of the DiStefano and get the three count to win the round.
Round 3 goes to Pizarras giving Spain the victory 2 to 1.
Wrap up and over all observations
This match was relatively close. Both the Washington Grenache and Spanish Garnacha were relatively light showing subtle character and flavors. Neither packed much of a punch which disappointed me. I expected more, especially from the Garnacha. I mean, with a name that sounds so powerful you should come out and kick sand in the face of Grenache.
Final tally: Pizarras 2, DiStefano 1.
I would give the Pizarras an 85 and the Distefano an 84.
Haste Luego
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