Washington Tempranillo v. Rioja

This year's edition of the Volta a Catalunya did not stay within the confines of the Catalunya region.  Instead, it traced a route through most of Spain that skirted the Rioja region on the third and fourth stages of the week long race.

Spending two days in the vicinity of Rioja certainly provided a great opportunity for the pro racers to enjoy some excellent wines.  In addition to the cycling action, Rioja is also celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Ultimately, the general classification was won by Jonas Vingegaard in his early season built up to an attempt at winning his third Tour de France in July.

This edition of the Lucha Vino challenge pits the 2012 Idilico Tempranillo against the 2016 Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza.

Washington Tempranillo vs. Rioja

In this strange year, La Vuelta Espana received much more attention than usual and the race delivered.  There was drama and lively racing through all 3 weeks of the race.  This year's route brought the pro cyclists to Northern Spain and featured its typical steady diet of challenging climbs and mountain top finishes.

After losing his grip on the Tour de France on the final competitive stage, Primoz Roglic had his sights set on winning his second Vuelta.  In order to achieve his goal Roglic had to go up against a formative cast of challengers including Chris Froome and Richard Carapaz.  Carapaz turned out to be his primary rival as they traded the overall race lead back and forth while racing through Northern Spain.

Once again, Roglic found himself facing a crushing defeat on the final competitive stage of a grand tour.  Entering the day Roglic held a 45 second lead over Richard Carapaz with the GC Victory appearing to be safely in his grasp. However, on the slopes of La Covatilla Carapaz burst away from a small group of GC contenders rapidly opening a lead of 25 seconds over Roglic.  

This time, Roglic stood up to the pressure limiting his losses, avoiding a repeat of his worst nightmare, to hold on to overall victory.  

This week's Lucha Vino matchup celebrates Roglic vanquishing his nightmare with The Walls 2018 Wonderful Nightmare vs. Bodegas Lan's 2010 Rioja Gran Reserva.

Washington Tempranillo vs. Rioja

Alejandro Valverde finally won the UCI World Championships this year after finishing in the top 3 in six previous editions of the World Championship road race.  He added the Gold Medal, on a hilly course in Innsbruck Austria, to go with his four bronze and two silver medals.

Even though Valverde has been implicated in past blood doping scandals, he has never failed a doping test.  This has lead to him being a polarizing figure in the pro cycling peloton.  Say what you will, but Valverde is the only racer to achieve success after emerging from the "doping era."  Most of his cycling peers that were implicated in doping schemes retired or never returned to anything representing their doping fueled form.

To recognize Valverde's world championship success and celebrate International Tempranillo day, this edition of the Lucha Vino challenge features a Washington Tempranillo taking on a challenger from Rioja.

2012 Idilico Tempranillo vs. 2010 Rioja La Tercera Reserva

Washington Tempranillo vs. Rioja

This year's Vuelta a Espana was action packed throughout all three weeks of racing.  Things really heated up during the last week of the race, which featured some intense racing through the Northern most mountains of Spain.  Chris Froome held off all the challengers to win his second Grand Tour of the year and Alberto Contador went on one final mountain rampage to win, perhaps, his final Grand Tour stage.

In recognition of the racing action in Northern Spain, this week's Lucha Vino matchup features a Washington Tempranillo taking on a Spanish Tempranillo from Rioja.  Rioja is one of the Northernmost wine regions of Spain.  It primarily features Tempranillo and consistently turns out excellent wines year after year.

2014 Kerloo Cellars Tempranillo vs. 2011 Muga Rioja Seleccion Especial

Washington Tempranillo v. Rioja

This year's Vuelta Espana hugged the Northern border of Spain during the second week of racing.  This brought the racers through a variety of terrain including stage 12 which ended in a sprint finish in the town of Bilbao.  The racing was tense throughout the middle section of the Vuelta.  Nairo Quintana, and his Movistar team, had their work cutout for them defending the leader's red jersey as the race traced its route through the Northern reaches of Spain. 

There aren't many wine regions along the Northern edge of Spain.  The race came closest to the Rioja DOC, home of a wide range of tantalizing Tempranillo.

This week's Lucha Vino match up features a Washington Tempranillo taking on Rioja.

2013 Saviah Cellars Tempranillo v. 2001 Diez Caballero Vendimia Seleccionada

Washington Tinto v. Rioja

The Vuelta Espana packed plenty of action into the past three weeks.  There wasn't a whole lot of drama or suspense once Quintana crashed his TT bike and Contador took the lead, but there was still plenty of exciting racing.

The Spaniards really seemed to be motivated for a good showing in their home race.  Alejandro Valverde, Joaquin Rodriguez and Alberto Contador were consistently at the front of the pack when the roads turned steep.

The Vuelta Espana is known for its strenuous mountain stages and mountain top finishes.  This edition stayed true to form and included some mountainess terain in Northern Spain passing by the Rioja wine region.  This week's matchup pays tribute to the mountains of Northern Spain and the racers that ride their bikes up these mountains like they have wings (or tiny hidden electric motors on their bikes).

This matchup features a Washington Tinto taking on a traditional red blend from Rioja.

2009 Pomum Tinto v. 2009 Bodegas las Cepas Cinco Denarios

Washington Tempranillo vs. Rioja

This past week featured a race that is sure to bring delight to a wine lover.  The Vuelta Ciclista a La Rioja - the Tour of Rioja.  Who wouldn't love riding their bike around the Rioja DOC?  I know that I would!

This pro tour event used to be an actual "tour" with multiple stages.  But, with the hard financial times and less than altruistic bike racing ethos, sponsorship has fallen off and the event is now a one day race.  This year the winner was Francesco Lasca, an Italian that rides for the Spanish team Caja Rural.  The best placed Spanish rider was Juan Jose Lobato Del Valle from Euskaltel-Euskadi - the Spanish team that used to be comprised of all Basque Country riders until recently when pressure for race results outweighed regional pride when selecting their team.

This week's matchup honors the Rioja region and the King grape of Spain.

2009 Castillo de Feliciana Tempranillo v. 2006 Beronia Rioja Reserva

Battle in Seattle II:Washington v. Rioja

This is the second installment in my End of the World Battle in Seattle series.  The battles were interrupted as my world almost ended on 12/12/12 when a car hit me riding my bike to work.  I'm really lucky to have "only" sustained a cracked rib along with some cuts.  The worst issue is a disk pressing on a nerve in my back.  That nerve pain is like nothing I have ever felt and hope to never experience again once I recover.

In this week's match a Washington Tempranillo works on bringing the pain down on a Spanish challenger from Rioja.

2009 Bartholomew Tempranillo v. 2007 Vina Eguia Rioja Reserva

Tempranillo Tag Team

Still looking for wine inspiration at Thanksgiving?  Why not go with something a bit different... let's say something like Tempranillo?  This Spanish grape provides some nice tannins and spices that would go nicely with that Turkey, Goose or Duck that is about to be cooked.  It would be equally at home paired up against a pork roast, lamb or ham.

You get the idea.  This is one versatile Luchador.  And to prove that point this week's matchup features a Washington Tempranillo taking on a Tag Team duo of Killer V Tempranillos from Spain.

Tildio 2008 Estate Tempranillo v. Vina Vilano Ribera del duero 2005 and Valsacro 2005 Rioja

Washington Tempranillo blend v. Spanish Rioja

The Vuelta Espana finally made it up North and is headed toward the Rioja region.  There has been lots of great racing as the course headed into the mountains.  The latest action saw JJ Cobo take the race leader's Red Jersey and then defend it on the last up hill finish of the race.  Cobo has a slim 13 second lead, but should be able to protect that as the race speeds toward Madrid.

This week's Vuelta Espana Lucha Vino matchup features a 2005 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza v. Washington State Spanish Style blend from Brian Carter Cellars 2008 Corrida.

Tale of the Tape

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza 2005

65% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacha with the remainder Mazuelo and Graciano all estate grown.  Aged for 3 years in barrel.

Purchased from Bin 41 for $23.

Brian Carter Cellars 2008 Corrida

66% Tempranillo, 17% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Garnacha.  The grapes were sourced from Stone Tree Vineyards on the Wahluke Slope and Olsen Brothers Vineyards, Lonesome Springs Vineyards, Solstice Vineyards and Eldering Vineyard all in located in the Yakima Valley.  Aged for 22 months in monstly French Oak, 30% new and 70% used.

Purchased from Bin 41 for $30.

Round 1.  First Opening:

The R. Lopez has a nose of sandal wood and light red berries.  The palate is cherries and some licorice and anis lurking in the background ending with a sweet dry cherry finish.

The Corrida has a nose of cedar spices, cloves and currants with some light smokey toast character.  The palate is currants, Asian spices, espresso and semi-sweet chocolate lingering on to a dry finish. 

Both luchadors came into the ring showing some interesting character.  The Corrida lived up to its meaning in Spanish - "Bull Fight" with a flourish of the red cape and some fancy footwork represented in the variety of characteristics present on the nose and palate.

Round 1 goes to the Brian Carter Cellars Corrida.

Round 2.  One hour after Opening

The R. Lopez is showing a nose of red fruits, sour peat bog and licorice with a palate of red fruit dry cedar and notes of licorice with some cherry notes on the finish.

The Corrida is continuing to evolve with the nose showing dark currant, smoke, espresso and chocolate with a palate showing similar characteristics to the nose and wraps up with a dry toffee and spice finish.

The R. Lopez is light on its feet, bobbing and weaving.  The Corrida is stomping in to deliver some heavy handed body blows.  This round is close with a slight edge going to the Corrida for aggressiveness.

Round 3. One day later

The R. Lopez has reached into its bag of tricks and is delivering a nose of funky sandal wood. cinnamon mole, hints of chocolate and ripe red berries.  The palate is showing some light red berry, coffee and menthol with a slight dry cedar finish. 

The Corrida has really beefed up for the final round with a nose of dark currant, dusty black cherries and hints of spices, semi-sweet chocolate and espresso.  The palate has similar character with a tart cedar Asian spice finish that is slightly acidic that mellows into spiciness with more air.

Both Luchadors brought some big changes over night.  Kudos to both for reaching back and adjusting their attack in an attempt to win the match.  This was another close call, but the final round also goes to the Corrida for being bigger, badder and bolder looking a bit like Mr. T. sporting miles of gold chain.

Wrap up and over all observations

Another close match.  These matchups between Spain and Washington have all been close.  The score might show 3 rounds to none in favor of the Corrida, but the truth is this match could easily have gone to the Spanish Luchador with a bit more luck.

Solid competitors once again.  I give both an 88.

Washington Tempranillo v. Spain

This week a Washington state Tempranillo takes on a Rioja Reserva 100% Tempranillo from Catalunya Spain.

The matchup was inspired by the Volta a Catalunya race through the North East regions of Spain that just wrapped up today.

2009 Substance Tempranillo v. 2006 Izadi Reserva Rioja 

Tale of the tape

Substance Tempranillo
100% Tempranillo from the Mars Hill Vineyard aged in 100% French Oak barrels
Purchased for 19.99 at Esquin

Izadi Rioja Reserva 2006
100% Tempranillo from the Rioja Calificada DOCa aged for 14 months in American Oak barrels
Purchased for 19.99 at Wine World


Round 1.  First Opening:
Substance on first opening the nose has character of plum, smoke and pepper with some slight floral overtones.  The palate is already featuring dark fruit, pepper smoked meat and a slightly tart cedar spice finish.

The Izadi is showing raspberry, candle wax and a bit of smokey peat bog on the nose with a palate of ripe red fruit, menthol and slightly tart cedar that continues on through the finish.

Round 1 was close and goes to Substance.

Round 2.  One hour after Opening:
The Substance is developing some leather and dusty mineral on the nose along with pepper and cedar spice box.  The palate is showing some tart cedar and continues to develop rich juicy dark berry character with some black cherry, cedar spice and pepper with nice supporting cedar tannin tartness on the finish.

Izadi is developing dark fruit, black cherry, spice and chocolate on the nose with the palate showing rich dark fruit with cedar spice and chocolate on a solid black cherry foundation.  Really rich and lush.


Round 2 is another close one, this time it goes to Izadi

Round 3. One day later

The Substance is showing much lighter on the nose and palate after one day.  The nose is light red fruit, huckleberries with a bit of tart cedar.  The palate is showing some light raspberry and a bit of citrus while the finish has become rather acidic.

The Izadi has retained its bold character from the day before.  There is black currant, cedar spice box and toffee on the nose.  With the palate showing similar dark fruit, cedar spice, cinnamon and menthol with the menthol and cinnamon flowing through the finish.

Round 3 goes to Izadi.

Wrap up and over all observations

Another close match.  The Substance started out slow and built up a full character as the first night went on.  The Izadi opened up much quicker and showed a richer, bolder nose and palate. 

The additional age and (I am assuming) time in the barrel was very noticeable in comparing the Izadi to the Substance.  Another match that goes to the European challenger.  This might be developing into a trend.  The message could be - don't mess with our Old World style.  Or maybe it is the new kid on the block issuing a warning - Hey old man!  Look out here I come...

Final tally: Izadi 2, Substance 1. 

I give Izadi an 88 and the Substance an 86.  Both were very good to excellent with the Substance taking some time to build up to its fullest character and then fading.  The Izadi continued to build a bold character that lasted over night into day number 2 and that stamina and staying power were the keys to the Spanish Luchador's success.

Haste pronto!