The Hattrick 2005 The Professor

Igor Larionov’s nickname is ‘The Professor’

And, I am a Professor (my job) and I am a Professor of wine, cigars, and beer too.

Igor Larionov Select Wines

Napa, California, USA

Blend: 41% Cab Sauvignon, 39% Cab Franc, 20% Merlot

14.5% abv

$34.99

I couldn’t believe that I never reviewed this wine.  I reviewed the other Hattrick wines but, I could not even find the bottle that I bought back when I purchased all the other ones.  I bought this one a couple months back at a store that I usually don’t buy from.  This must be the last bottle of this wine on the market.   

I came back out to my cigar lounge and there is the bottle.  The big magnum bottle of The Professor and it is empty … I drank that a long time ago and I must have enjoyed it for I didn’t do any writing on it. 

Appearance: deep garnet

Aroma: dark berries, touch of oak and a hint of smoke – this reminds me of the Merlot (see review) – interesting two years later and I right the same thing just in a different order. 

This wine still needs a little time to breathe

Wow, I was just reading my old review on The Hattrick Cab Sauvignon and I reviewed it with the Kiboko cigar from Don Lino’s Africa lineup on March 17, 2011.  Here it is March 19, 2013 and I am smoking my very last Kiboko cigar (they don’t make them anymore) with a bottle of The Hattrick The Professor.  I did not plan this – back to the review

Flavors: good soil earthy tone; thick dark berries that remind me of black currant, boysenberry and a touch of blackberry; nice oak and oak spice; a touch of mocha coffee;

Mouthfeel: smooth, elegant feel; nice dark berries linger on the palate

The Cigar and Pairing

Different bottle in the pic

Don Lino Africa Kiboko

Size: 6.5 x 58

See old review for information

No real need to break this cigar down in flavor profile for it is no longer available and with that said, I am truly enjoying this very last one from my humidor with this wine.  These two are prefect for each other.  I am just sitting back and enjoying these products that are no longer around.  I feel like I am saying good bye to two good old friends. 

Look at the great cigar box 

Triple Overtime 2006 Merlot: Review

Napa Valley

Igor Larionov Select Wines

St. Helena, California, USA

Iltripleovertime.com

Blend: 77% Merlot, 14% Cab Sauvignon, and 9% Franc.

14.6% abv

$20.00 a bottle

Appearance: rich ruby body

Aroma: a wonderful spicebox nose

Flavors: the spice follows the nose, dark and red currants, and plum. 

The second glass displays some more character.  I would recommend opening this bottle and letting it breathe for 15 or 20 minutes (decant) before serving just to get those flavors involved. 

The spice, currants, and plum are still present but, the earthy tones open up to a mushroom and mossy style.  There is also a smooth sweet mocha note in the mix.  

Mouthfeel: smooth, elegant, macho like finish with sweet dark cherry.  The acidity and tannins are low. 

My Strength Rating: 4.5 – This wine just glides across my tongue.  The weight is light and the flavors are plentiful.

To the Point: above average Merlot.  If you like smooth and medium bodied Merlot's this should work for you.  I would buy the Hattrick Reserve Merlot before this one. 

The Hattrick 2005 Reserve Merlot: Review

Igor Larionov Select Wines

Stags Leap District

Napa Valley

14.5% abv

$45.00

On the back of the bottle, “The Merlot with a splash of Cabernet Franc Exhibits a deep ruby – garnet color as well as dense, smoky black cherry flavors, medium to full body, soft tannins and plump finish.”

Iltripleovertime.com

Appearance: deep ruby it is

Aroma: smoky, dark berries, touch of oak

Flavors: earthy notes of rich soil and minerals, toasted oak, tobacco, black currants, I am not thinking of black cherry (sweet) it is more like a Michigan cherry (tart) especially on the finish,

Mouthfeel: smooth in delivery, a slight tartness on the back of the palate, a dry oaky note and dark berry like lingering note

My Strength Rating: 7  a very good medium-full bodied red wine.

Visit CigarPostings for the cigar pairing with this wine

The cork reads, “Hockey is my life – wine is my passion”

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.