In the immortal words of George Castanza... "I'm back baby!" I have been on a bit of a hiatus from wine writing the past 6 months. Now that I have completed my Executive Leadership Program at Seattle University it is time to get back to the wine business.
March is a great time to return too. It is Washington Wine Month AND one of the most stylish one day races takes place in Tuscany during the first weeks of March. The Strade Bianche covers nearly 200 kilometers that include 10 sections of white dirt and gravel roads. The strade bianche cover 54 of the 200 kilometers and make for some interesting racing.
This week's Lucha Vino matchup honors Italian bike racing flare with a classic Yakima Valley Sangiovese from Eight Bells winery taking on an old Chianti Classico from Tuscany.
2010 Eight Bells Sangiovese v. 2009 Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico
Showing posts with label Red Willow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red Willow. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Red Mountain Tempranillo v. Ribera del Duero
This past weekend featured the National Championship races for the majority of the cycling world. Naturally, the big three wine countries were all featured over the weekend - France, Italy and Spain. This left me with a difficult choice, which country to visit this final weekend before the start of the Tour de France.
My choice landed me in Spain. With the Spanish National Championship Road Race taking place in Salamanca located in Castilla y Leon I selected the King D.O. - Ribera del Duero to represent the challenger.
2010 8 Bells Tempranillo v. 2008 Finca Villacreces Ribera del Duero Pruno
My choice landed me in Spain. With the Spanish National Championship Road Race taking place in Salamanca located in Castilla y Leon I selected the King D.O. - Ribera del Duero to represent the challenger.
2010 8 Bells Tempranillo v. 2008 Finca Villacreces Ribera del Duero Pruno
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Washington Nebbiolo vs. Piemonte
This week features a return to Italy with a major splash. The Milan San-Remo one day classic is the longest professional bike race on the calendar. In fact, it is so long that the UCI had to grant it special permission to exceed the maximum allowable distance for a world tour race.
I've said it before, and I will say it again, you cannot beat Italian style. They like things big and expressive. If you had any doubt all you need to do is check out the details on the Milan San-Remo classic. Then check out this video to see the wild finish of this year's race. You can also check out some big, bold and expressive Italian wines. And that is what I am about to do.
This week's Lucha Vino challenge features a Washington Nebbiolo taking on the original from Piemonte.
2005 Cavatappi Maddelena Nebbiolo vs. 2008 Eugenio Bocchino Roccabella
Tale of the Tape
2005 Cavatappi Maddelena Nebbiolo
Little is known about this Luchador and it appears that he prefers to be shrouded in mystery. 100% Nebbiolo from the Red Willow Vineyard. All other details are left to your imagination.
There are some details here on the 2005 from a Full Pull wines offering.
Purchased at Esquin for $23.99
2008 Eugenio Bocchino Roccabella
100% Nebbiolo from Langhe area of Piemonte. Aged for 12 months in barrel.
Provided by Vinum wines. This Nebbiolo is available for $20-ish at retail.
The Eugenio Bocchino lineup is part of the Indie Wineries team.
The Cavatappi seems to be a bit intimidated by the Italian challenger. The nose shows cherries, cedar and stony spices. The palate is super sour tart cranberry with an equally tart finish. This Luchador may need some more seasoning.
The Roccabella is rocking it right from the gun. The nose is showing currant, dark cherry, underbrush and light herbal light spices. The palate is also showing dark cherry and Asian cedar spices with tart dry spicy finish.
The Roccabella is indeed rocking. The name reminds me of the first Judas Priest album: Rocka-Rolla. This tough Luchador is definitely showing the strength worthy of leather and studs. Roccabella easily takes round one.
Round 2. One hour after Opening
The officials are having trouble coaxing the Cavatappi out of its corner for round two. The nose is still very tart with notes of cranberry and citrus grapefruit spice. The palate is also showing cranberry and a bit of toastiness with a tart cedar finish.
No sooner than the Cavatappi left the corner than the Roccabella delivered maximum pain with a flying body slam off the top rope. The nose is showing musty mineral, funky dark cherry fruit with a bit of savory vinegar soy and light pepper spice. The palate shows dark cherry, clove and a tart cedar dry finish.
The Cavatappi is reeling, staggering around the ring looking dazed and confused. Chalk up another round for the Roccabella.
Round 3. One day after Opening
Based on the first two runds things are not looking good for the Cavatappi. Can this Washington State Luchador rise to the challenge and knock the Italian Nebbiolo out cold?
It took some time, but the Cavatappi has arrived. The nose has bulked up with cranberry and tart soy. The palate is showing cranberry and tart cedar pepper with a sweet spicy finish.
The Roccabella is still rocking but has lost a decibel or two. Swaggering in to the ring for the final round the nose is dark cherry, pepper spices and light savory notes. The palate is showing dark cherry with tart clove spices and a very dry finish.
This round was the closest of all. The Cavatappi took this round by the slimmest of margins.
The match ended with the Roccabella winning 2 rounds to 1.
Wrap up and over all observations
The Cavatappi had 6 years of barrel and bottle age on it. Even with this much aging the Luchador showed skills and style that reminded me of a rookie rather than a veteran.
The Rocabella was much younger, but put up a fight like a true veteran. Strutting around the ring like Rob Halford in leather and studs this Italian Luchador put a sound whipping on the Luchador from Washington.
The Roccabella delivered the goods in this Nebbiolo knock out!
I give the Eugenio Bocchino Roccabella an 88 and the Cavatappi an 86.
I've said it before, and I will say it again, you cannot beat Italian style. They like things big and expressive. If you had any doubt all you need to do is check out the details on the Milan San-Remo classic. Then check out this video to see the wild finish of this year's race. You can also check out some big, bold and expressive Italian wines. And that is what I am about to do.
This week's Lucha Vino challenge features a Washington Nebbiolo taking on the original from Piemonte.
2005 Cavatappi Maddelena Nebbiolo vs. 2008 Eugenio Bocchino Roccabella
Tale of the Tape
Little is known about this Luchador and it appears that he prefers to be shrouded in mystery. 100% Nebbiolo from the Red Willow Vineyard. All other details are left to your imagination.
There are some details here on the 2005 from a Full Pull wines offering.
Purchased at Esquin for $23.99
2008 Eugenio Bocchino Roccabella
100% Nebbiolo from Langhe area of Piemonte. Aged for 12 months in barrel.
Provided by Vinum wines. This Nebbiolo is available for $20-ish at retail.
The Eugenio Bocchino lineup is part of the Indie Wineries team.
Round 1. First Opening
The Cavatappi seems to be a bit intimidated by the Italian challenger. The nose shows cherries, cedar and stony spices. The palate is super sour tart cranberry with an equally tart finish. This Luchador may need some more seasoning.
The Roccabella is rocking it right from the gun. The nose is showing currant, dark cherry, underbrush and light herbal light spices. The palate is also showing dark cherry and Asian cedar spices with tart dry spicy finish.
The Roccabella is indeed rocking. The name reminds me of the first Judas Priest album: Rocka-Rolla. This tough Luchador is definitely showing the strength worthy of leather and studs. Roccabella easily takes round one.
Round 2. One hour after Opening
The officials are having trouble coaxing the Cavatappi out of its corner for round two. The nose is still very tart with notes of cranberry and citrus grapefruit spice. The palate is also showing cranberry and a bit of toastiness with a tart cedar finish.
No sooner than the Cavatappi left the corner than the Roccabella delivered maximum pain with a flying body slam off the top rope. The nose is showing musty mineral, funky dark cherry fruit with a bit of savory vinegar soy and light pepper spice. The palate shows dark cherry, clove and a tart cedar dry finish.
The Cavatappi is reeling, staggering around the ring looking dazed and confused. Chalk up another round for the Roccabella.
Round 3. One day after Opening
Based on the first two runds things are not looking good for the Cavatappi. Can this Washington State Luchador rise to the challenge and knock the Italian Nebbiolo out cold?
It took some time, but the Cavatappi has arrived. The nose has bulked up with cranberry and tart soy. The palate is showing cranberry and tart cedar pepper with a sweet spicy finish.
The Roccabella is still rocking but has lost a decibel or two. Swaggering in to the ring for the final round the nose is dark cherry, pepper spices and light savory notes. The palate is showing dark cherry with tart clove spices and a very dry finish.
This round was the closest of all. The Cavatappi took this round by the slimmest of margins.
The match ended with the Roccabella winning 2 rounds to 1.
Wrap up and over all observations
The Cavatappi had 6 years of barrel and bottle age on it. Even with this much aging the Luchador showed skills and style that reminded me of a rookie rather than a veteran.
The Rocabella was much younger, but put up a fight like a true veteran. Strutting around the ring like Rob Halford in leather and studs this Italian Luchador put a sound whipping on the Luchador from Washington.
The Roccabella delivered the goods in this Nebbiolo knock out!
I give the Eugenio Bocchino Roccabella an 88 and the Cavatappi an 86.
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