The Tour of California overlaps with the Giro d' Italia. It typically attracts racers that are preparing for the Tour de France or trying to earn a spot on their team's Tour squad.
This year the race started in Sacramento and headed South, finishing in Pasadena. As the racers toed the line for the first two stages they may have had the opportunity to enjoy some wines from Sonoma.
This week's challenge features a Washington Bordeaux Style blend taking on a California Dry Creek Meritage challenger.
2014 Mullan Road Cellars Red Wine vs. 2012 Dry Creek Vineyard The Mariner
Andrew Talansky won the "Queen Stage" of the race on top of Mt. Baldy. Talansky's nickname is The Pit Bull because he never gives up. Just like Andrew Talansky, both these red wines are focused and assertive.
Showing posts with label Sonoma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sonoma. Show all posts
Monday, May 22, 2017
Thursday, June 2, 2016
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
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
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Washington Merlot v. California
This week the pros racing in Europe are in Belgium for the Tour of Flanders, one of the greatest one day spring classics there is. The people from Belgium are fanatics for bike racing. I don't think the same can be said for wine from this region. So... we will follow the domestic pros to California this week in honor of The Tour of the Redlands.
Washington 2006 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Merlot v. California 2006 Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Merlot.
Tale of the tape
2006 Canoe Ridge Merlot
100% Estate grown merlot from the Canoe Ridge Vineyard in the Columbia Valley. It is hard to find much more information about this wine due to the recent ownership change.
Purchased for 15.12 at Safeway for 30% off during Washington Wine Month
2006 Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Merlot
100% Merlot aged for 16 months in 88% French Oak and 12% American Oak
Purchased for 16.99 at QFC
Round 1. First Opening:
Canoe Ridge has a nose of cherry, currants, dust and mineral with some slight cedar spice. The palate is slightly tart pie cherry and an equally cedar tart finish with some hints of licorice.
The Kendall-Jackson is showing a nose of tight red berry with a bit of spice and earth. The palate is mainly sweet cherry with some tobacco, spice and a dry finish.
The K-J seems really tight on first opening while the Canoe Ridge seems like it is ready to rumble.
Round 1 goes to Canoe Ridge. Will K-J relax and step up in round 2?
Round 2. One hour after Opening:
The Canoe Ridge has developed a nose of dark fruit, spice and cocoa. The palate has lots of dark cherry, cola, hints of chocolate and spice with a finish that is dominated by cedar spice box with (again) some hints of chocolate lurking in the background.
K-J has a nose of primarily plum with a bit of dusty spice. The palate is showing tart red berries and cedar with a dry cherry pit finish.
The K-J has closed down rather than opening up. I'm disappointed with the lack of stamina on this luchador.
Round 2 is dominated by Canoe Ridge.
Round 3. One day later
The Canoe Ridge is standing tall, retaining and building some more power. The nose is deep dark fruit, spice and slight semi-sweet chocolate. The palate is full bodied and smooth showing black cherry, cola, chocolate and hints of cedar spice box on the finish.
K-J is about the same as round 2. The nose is relatively weak showing some light red berry, dust and a bit of spice. The palate is tart cherries with a very dry cherry pit finish.
Canoe Ridge finishes off the match and Round 3 with a huge body slam.
Wrap up and over all observations
This match was not close at all. The Canoe Ridge came out ready for action and never let up. The Kendall-Jackson was tight and never evolved into anything very interesting or big enough to put up a fight against the WA State Merlot.
Final tally: Canoe Ridge 3, Kendall-Jackson 0.
I would give the Canoe Ridge an 87 and the Kendall-Jackson an 84. Maybe it is the laid back attitude of California or too much sun makes you soft. Either way, the luchador from Washington was bigger, brawnier, bolder and easily overpowered the CA Merlot. Unfair? Not sure. What do you think? There has to be a California Merlot that would put up a better fight.
Catch ya later
Washington 2006 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Merlot v. California 2006 Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Merlot.
Tale of the tape
2006 Canoe Ridge Merlot
100% Estate grown merlot from the Canoe Ridge Vineyard in the Columbia Valley. It is hard to find much more information about this wine due to the recent ownership change.
Purchased for 15.12 at Safeway for 30% off during Washington Wine Month
2006 Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Merlot
100% Merlot aged for 16 months in 88% French Oak and 12% American Oak
Purchased for 16.99 at QFC
Round 1. First Opening:
Canoe Ridge has a nose of cherry, currants, dust and mineral with some slight cedar spice. The palate is slightly tart pie cherry and an equally cedar tart finish with some hints of licorice.
The Kendall-Jackson is showing a nose of tight red berry with a bit of spice and earth. The palate is mainly sweet cherry with some tobacco, spice and a dry finish.
The K-J seems really tight on first opening while the Canoe Ridge seems like it is ready to rumble.
Round 1 goes to Canoe Ridge. Will K-J relax and step up in round 2?
Round 2. One hour after Opening:
The Canoe Ridge has developed a nose of dark fruit, spice and cocoa. The palate has lots of dark cherry, cola, hints of chocolate and spice with a finish that is dominated by cedar spice box with (again) some hints of chocolate lurking in the background.
K-J has a nose of primarily plum with a bit of dusty spice. The palate is showing tart red berries and cedar with a dry cherry pit finish.
The K-J has closed down rather than opening up. I'm disappointed with the lack of stamina on this luchador.
Round 2 is dominated by Canoe Ridge.
Round 3. One day later
The Canoe Ridge is standing tall, retaining and building some more power. The nose is deep dark fruit, spice and slight semi-sweet chocolate. The palate is full bodied and smooth showing black cherry, cola, chocolate and hints of cedar spice box on the finish.
K-J is about the same as round 2. The nose is relatively weak showing some light red berry, dust and a bit of spice. The palate is tart cherries with a very dry cherry pit finish.
Canoe Ridge finishes off the match and Round 3 with a huge body slam.
Wrap up and over all observations
This match was not close at all. The Canoe Ridge came out ready for action and never let up. The Kendall-Jackson was tight and never evolved into anything very interesting or big enough to put up a fight against the WA State Merlot.
Final tally: Canoe Ridge 3, Kendall-Jackson 0.
I would give the Canoe Ridge an 87 and the Kendall-Jackson an 84. Maybe it is the laid back attitude of California or too much sun makes you soft. Either way, the luchador from Washington was bigger, brawnier, bolder and easily overpowered the CA Merlot. Unfair? Not sure. What do you think? There has to be a California Merlot that would put up a better fight.
Catch ya later
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)