Washington Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Bordeaux

The Tour de France organizers recently unveiled the 2018 route.  The 105th edition of le Tour includes some of the most diverse racing in the past decade.  The race begins in the Normandy region of North East France rather than in a different country like many of the past editions.  After spending a week in Northern France the race heads to the mountains in the Alps and Pyrenees before finishing up in Paris.  The finish on the Champs Elysees is one tradition that continues to endure.

In honor of the Tour's organizers willingness to shake things up, this week's challenge features on upstart from Walla Walla taking on the old guard from the Left Bank of Bordeaux.

2012 Kontos Cellars Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon vs. 2012 L'Abeille de Fieuzal Pessac-Leognan

Washington Merlot Maniacs

The pro cyclist's road race season has ended and now cyclocross is where the action is.  The change in season signals a change in the Lucha Vino Challenges.  The spotlight will start shining on wines from non-cycling regions as well as some interesting intrastate challenges.  This week's matchup had its origins rooted in October, AKA Merlot Month.

Merlot dominant blends from Washington battle it out in the inaugural Merlot Maniacs challenge.  It's Walla Walla vs. a Red Mountain / Horse Heaven Hills / Yakima Valley Tag Team in a no holds barred Washington State Merlot fueled feud!

Kontos Cellars 2008 Alatus v. Nota Bene Cellars 2008 Miscela