The Hattrick 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon and Don Lino Africa Kiboko Cigar: Review

Igor Larionov Select Wines – The Hattrick 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

So much for having that bottle signed by Igor, between being shelved in the cellar and then holding the bottle, I have pretty much taken off his signature. Oh well, I don’t save bottles anyways.

Here is the description on the bottle: “Brilliantly pure aromas of black cherry, earth and herb give way to flavors of deep red fruit, cedar and spice that linger impressively on the finish.”

This rich and full bodied wine is pure pleasure. I am upset that I only bought one bottle – back to the store for more. Call Jim at The Fine Wine Source for more (mental note for myself). The aroma will delight your senses and the bold flavors will satisfy the savvy wine drinker. While the wine texture comes across bold and full of flavor it still has a smooth and elegant style – kind of how we saw Igor Larionov play here in Detroit. The Professor of hockey proves he is also the Dean of Cabernet Sauvignon with this bottle of vino. Now, this power packed beauty needs a quality cigar to match its style.

The Cigar

Don Lino Africa Kiboko
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: African, Dominican, Honduran, Nicaraguan (I have also seen Mexico listed instead of Honduran)
Size: 6.5 x 58
My Strength Rating: wow, I am up in the air with this one and I have smoked a bunch of these babies. How about a 6 or 6.5 on the first two-thirds and then a 9 on the final couple inches - for an average of 7. But, that all depends what you are drinking or eating along the way. And it is damn good!

This is one solid complex cigar. The start is on the milder side of medium then; it builds to medium, medium-full and then finishes with a brash bang of strength. The taste profile is wonderful on the first two thirds of the smoke. Cedar, coffee, and spice are right there to delight the smoker. By the halfway point I notice a spicy-peppery note as the strength passes the medium strength rating. This is toasty, roasty, and robust at this point in the game. The woody cedar profile is strong to please the palate. Be ready for the final third for that is where the strength builds in a bold way. The right beverage can tame this but, the drink needs to match the strength of this cigar or the final few inches will seem overwhelming. The finish at times to me has reached that 9 strength rating – it’s full. So, this cigar starts off with a 4.5 strength rating off the light and can end with a bang of 9. Be ready to enjoy all the other flavors along the way.

The Pairing

These two are perfect. They can skate together. I think this Cabernet is the best beverage I have paired with this cigar. The wine even controlled that very bold finish of the cigar. I smoked that beast down to the final half inch and that is hard to do with this cigar. I highly recommend this pairing.

Vision Cellars 2007 Red Wine: Review

The Wine

Vision Cellars 2007 Red Wine
Vinted & Bottled by: Vision Cellars
Rutherford, California, USA
Visioncellars.com

The nose of this wine has a dark berry aroma that is just yummy. And, that yummy nose follows to the taste. This is one delicious wine. A mixture of red and black berries leaning toward the red, just swarm the palate. There is a hint of sweet raspberry with a touch of oak that is oh so tasty. The mouthfeel is very smooth and elegant. If you are a Cabernet Sauvignon fan, pick this up. If you are not – still pick this bottle up because, you will fall in love with this tasty Cab.

In Michigan, the only store you will find it is the Fine Wine Source in Livonia. The store is located on Middlebelt near Six Mile Road. The bottle will run you $39.00 a bottle. Believe me – it is worth every penny and more. It has been a few years since I have had a bottle of Quintessa but, this reminds me of that and it costs around $110.00 a bottle.

Trinchero Cabernet Sauvignon 2007: Tasting

Napa Valley Cloud’s Nest Vineyard

On the bottle it describes the taste as, ‘tobacco and tea.’ This is not your everyday Cabernet with that big dark berry taste. The herbal tea like flavors mingle with the tobacco, smoke and portabella mushroom earthy notes. This is delicious. I had this wine at diner at one of my favorite restaurants.

I will be looking for this bottle at my wine store now. A must try.

Renaissance Cabernet Sauvignon 1999: Review

This cabernet comes from the Sierra Foothills in Oregon House, California. This 13.5% abv red wine is still fine eleven years later. There is a nice dark cherry nose. I like the blackberry bite that mixes with the plum, earth, black cherry, spice, and sweet cedar notes. This wine leaves a good thick earthy quality or jammy feel on the palate. This cab has some good body.

With each sip I can taste that moist plum flavor and then the dark fruits kick in to add some body structure to the flavor profile. The spice and woody notes play on the back of the palate for that nice Cabernet Sauvignon finish. I think I’ll give this wine a 7 on my strength scale. (medium-full)

This bottle use to sell for around $27 - $30 a bottle and I just picked up a few bottles at $15.00 each.

A Wine Review: Midnight Cabernet Sauvignon

The Wine - Midnight Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Nebula

This wine has a very dense dark body with a nice ruby color on the edges. It has a 14.2% abv. I selected this wine because it is from Paso Robles. Justin Winery and Liberty School are both from that region and I really like both of those Cabs.

The nose of this wine has a solid dark berry and spice profile. Right after opening the tannins are speaking. After a little time to breath the balance kicks in and the flavors come alive. The dark berries and cherry notes are yummy and mingle well with the spices and some oaky and vanilla oaky notes. This is a fuller bodied Cab. I am going to rate it a 7.5 on my strength scale. I could see an 8 but, the wine has such a nice finish of berry and plum that does not have that bitter bite of a strong blackberry. The earthy structure just coats the palate for a solid Cabernet Sauvignon taste.

This is a must buy. I would love to compare this to Justin Cabernet some day. This bottle cost me $18.00 at Everyday Wines in Ann Arbor.

I would recommend a big juicy steak on the grill with this wine.