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.

Louis M. Martini 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County: Review

13.9% abv

Louis M. Martini Winery

Healdburg, Sonoma County, California, USA

$20.49 on sale for $14.49 a bottle

Wine Advocate Rating:

My Strength Rating: 6.5

Appearance: garnet in color with a lighter ruby edge around the glass.

Aroma: Nice little peppery spice, hint of earth and dark berries on the nose.

Flavors: To me I like the spice-box profile.  I’ll call it a pepper mill mix because, it is like having pink peppercorn, green and a little black peppercorn on the taste.  To me there is this little hint of tea or an herbal tea like taste.  I think it happens when it first hits my tongue.

The berries are lush in style.  No bitter or bite from the berry notes.  More like a boysenberry, bing cherry, and plum.  There is a mild earthy style with a little oaky presence on the finish. 

Overall mouthfeel is soft, flavorful, and pleasing to the palate.   

I have to say that I like this bottle of Loui better than their Napa Valley bottle that I reviewed yesterday.  The Sonoma County bottle is about $7.00 a bottle cheaper to boot.

Visit CigarPostings to read about this wine being paired with a Gurkha Cigar.

A Wine Review: Louis M. Martini 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Napa Valley Reserve

Louis Martini from Sonoma next review

14.6% abv

Louis M. Martini Winery

Healdburg, Sonoma County, California, USA

$27.49 on sale for $23.99 a bottle

Wine Advocate Rating: 91

My Strength Rating: 6 – because of its smooth and elegant style

A restaurant that I frequent carries Louis Martini as their house wine.  It is not this particular one but, it is a tasty Cabernet as well. 

Here are the tasting notes from the bottle: “…aromas of cassis, sweet herbs and hints of pipe tobacco.  On the palate, … black cherries, deep, briary red fruits and old-world complexities…”

This is not 100% Cab.  It is a blend of 82% Cabernet, 10% Merlot, and the rest is Petit Sirah and Petit Verdot.  Don’t worry a lot of Cabs and Merlots are actually blended even though they are called; Cabernet or Merlot.

Right from the bottle – no decanting

This wine has a wonderful deep purple color that just says, ‘drink me.’ 

The aroma is not all that strong or discerning, red berry like and a touch smoky. 

Right off the tannins are velvety smooth and the wine exhibits flavors of black and red currants, plum, and dry herbs.  The mouthfeel is silky smooth and elegant. 

Second glass decanted

The berry notes are a bit riper with more of a mixed berry aroma.  The smoky note is still present in the aroma.  The flavors are starting to come alive.  I notice a better blackberry, dark cherry style mixed with the currants.  The dry herbs are just a hint with a bit of spice is coming into play now.  There is a pleasing dry earthy tone that is helping to build some character.  While the mouthfeel is still smooth and elegant there is a better aftertaste that is coating the palate. 

I just wish the flavors were a little bolder.  Don't get me wrong, it is tasty, just a little stronger in flavor and then it would be very good. 

I hope that store still has this bottle on sale.  I am going there tonight.

Visit CigarPostings to see what classic cigar this wine was paired with.

A Wine Review: Liberty School 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

13.5% abv
Liberty School Winery
Paso Robles, California, USA
$12.99 a bottle
My Strength Rating:7

I remember when I bought my first bottle of Liberty School. I saw that the wine was made from the Paso Robles region and I knew that Justin Winery was located there so, if Justin’s wines are from there let me give this a try. When I got home and tried it I liked it and went back for more. I don’t know if you can get much better than this for this price range. I have found this bottle in the price range of $11 to $13 a bottle, depending what store you go to. Usually a red wine in this range can be very one dimensional, boring, sweet, good for the compost pile, or just a solid okay in overall taste quality. This bottle drinks like a good quality 25 to 30 dollar bottle of Cabernet.

The appearance of this wine has a good Cabernet look, a deep garnet body with some nice ruby edges.

The aroma is dark berry like reminding me of blackberry and dark currants.

The flavor is very pleasing. A thick coating of blackberry, currants, and dark cherry just covers the palate. There is a dry dark chocolate like character adding some texture.

The mouthfeel is dry and has a lingering aftertaste of earthy notes and dark berries. This wine has a firm structure and an overall feel that could be described as rich.

Since this is my last bottle of Liberty I’ll be looking to resupply.

Glen Ellen Proprietor’s Reserve 2008: Review

Cabernet Sauvignon
13% abv
$6.69 a bottle at the grocery store
$5.00 on sale
Concannon Vineyard
Glen Ellen Winery
Livermore & Ripon, California, USA
Glenellenwinery.com
My Strength Rating: 4/3.5

Deeper purple, garnet in color.

Aroma: pretty light on the berry side. Uneventful would be a good word.

Flavors: Wow, compared to the other wines this is the closes to being a wine. Notes of blackberry, cherry, a touch of oak, hint of dark chocolate. Still on the thin side but, not as bad as the other three.

Crane Lake Cabernet Sauvignon 2009: Review

12.5% abv
$5.99 a bottle at the grocery store
$3.99 on sale – REALLY – what am I doing?
Crane Lake Cellars
Napa and Sonoma, California, USA
My Strength Rating:3.5

Another purple colored body that looks too light for a good, just a good Cabernet.

Aroma: sweet spice, green and red globe grapes. Ok, maybe some red berries on the nose. Pretty lame aroma.

Flavors: Actually, I like this wine better than the Fish and the Foot ones but, I don’t know what it tastes like. Juice concentrate. Yeah, that is it. I buy this juice concentrate of cranberry and another that is pomegranate. So I’ll call it cranberry and pomegranate with a big watery edge. This one is still on the sweet side but, not as bad as the other two. I think if I poured my juice concentrates into a glass of water I would have this wine!

FishEye 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon: Review

South Eastern Australia
13% abv
Fisheye Winery
Australia
Fisheyewines.com
$8.99 a bottle from a grocery store
$5.00 on sale –
My Strength Rating: 3.5

This wine has a nice looking purple color on the body and a nice little aroma. The color is pretty light for a Cab. Fresh squeezed Concord grape, light berries, and a touch of spice on the nose. The flavors follow the nose along with a big watery edge. The pepper reminds me of pink peppercorn. This Cab has sweet grape like profile. The overall taste is not that bad on the first glass.

On the second glass I don’t even notice the pink pepper note. The flavors are overly sweet for a Cabernet and the body of this wine lacks structure. Break out the cheese whiz and Ritz crackers for we are living large!

This would be good with a hamburger if they did not have anything else to drink in the establishment. If you were going to eat some Kraft processed cheese, cheese whiz, or that plastic nacho cheese this could be a good selection.

A true bottom feeder.

Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon: Review

13% abv
Barefoot Cellars
Modesto, California, USA
Barefootwine.com
$9.49 a bottle from a grocery store
$5.00 on sale – buy only if it is on sale
My Strength Rating: 3

Now, I have seen this in those diner type restaurants before. The Sportsman Restaurant in Port Austin Michigan carries this wine. I have never been brave enough to try it before so, let’s give it a whirl today.

As I open this bottle I feel like I should be preparing for an American Cheese and Velveeta Cheese Sampling.

The barefoot wine has a nice purple color that is pretty light looking for a Cabernet. There is a nice mixed berry on the nose. The flavors are a mix of sweet red and dark berries with a touch of sweet cedar. The mouthfeel is dry from the slight oaky aftertaste. The bottle has the word ‘jammy’ but, I think I’ll leave it at ‘thick.’ It does coat the teeth and gums. I don’t know what it is but, it coats the teeth and gums. There is a little medicinal aftertaste on the back of the palate. One thing these cheap wines have in common is this cheap wine aftertaste and an overall sweet taste for a red wine.

The overall taste is really not that bad. That means it is not ‘good’ nor is it ‘poor.’ If you are eating greasy diner food or pizza this might work. Now, I don’t eat diner food but, I love pizza. I might try this with a pizza next time at the Sportsman.

If I was going to enjoy a glass of wine would I buy this? – NO. There is something to be said about quality.

Bottom Shelf Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews

Living Low Cabernet Sauvignon’s

I ran into the grocery store the other day to pick up some salad fixin’s and when I went by the wine section they had a bunch on sale. So, l thought I would take a quick look and then I got this great idea for a review – Bottom Shelf Selection. A few of them were on the bottom shelf and if the others were not on the bottom they should have been. As I was making my selections all I could think of was, ‘what am I buying this stuff for.’

I have seen some of these wines in smaller restaurants up north where I have a summer place. I have never had any of these and may never have them again after these reviews but, let’s see, they may not be as bad as I think.

Here are the Bottom Shelf Cabernet's to be reviewed
Linking You UP
FishEye 2009
Barefoot – of course no vintage – true bottom feeder
Crane Lake 2009
Glen Ellen Proprietor’s Reserve 2008

Tomorrows postings: Barefoot and FishEyes

Friday's postings: Crane Lake and Glen Ellen

Around $5 to $10 a bottle are they worth it?

Cabernet Sauvignon Month

I am planning to do a 'Bottom Shelf' Cabernet Sauvignon review to start off the month and then introduce you to a couple of resonably priced Cabs that would be far superior to those grocery store wines.  I will of course add in one of my favorites and a couple of better quality ones as well. 

Here is the line up so far:
FishEyes
Barefoot
Crane Lake
Glen Ellan
Liberty School
Justin 07
Louis M. Martini Napa
Louis M. Martini Sonoma
Regusci

A.Mano 2007 Primitivo: Review

13.5% abv
A Mano SRL
Italy

Bought this bottle while out to dinner last night. In a retail store I believe it still sells for around $11.00 a bottle. Not a bad price for a grape that is grown on 100 year old plus vines.

This bottle has the twist off cap. The aroma is of light red berries. The taste is pretty simple – red berries (raspberry stands out and red currant). Interesting, for this wine usually has some good Zinfandel qualities. I’ll save half the bottle and take it home and try it tomorrow. Mild-medium in body. I’ll give it a 3.5 on my strength scale tonight.

Let’s give it another try today. Nice medium to dark ruby color with lighter ruby highlights. A nice delicate spice on the nose with a little toasty note mingled in with the light red berry note that was present last night.

The nose has picked up a little bit so, let’s see how the flavor is doing. A bit more structure today. To me this is much better than last night. The raspberry note is still there with a good tart cherry profile today mixed with a sweet cedar like taste.

I am going to go with a 4 on my strength scale today.

This 07 is not bad. It is much better than the 02. I am going to search around for some other vintages and if I find them I’ll be posting them.

Don’t run to the store to find this one but, if you come across it and it is $10 or under it’s worth a try. Remember, decant it for a good half hour.

Chronic Cellars 2009 Purple Paradise: Review

14.5% abv
Chronic Cellars
Paso Robles, California, USA
95% Zinfandel, 5% Petite Sirah
Chroniccellars.com
My Strength Rating: 4

This wine pours an attractive ruby color, deep ruby with big lighter ruby highlights.

As the wine smoothly glides across the tongue I detect sweet summertime red berries with a twist of vanilla. Right now I am thinking of a big bowl of vanilla ice cream with big ripe strawberries for some reason.

As I pour myself a second glass of this tasty little treat the wine starts to open. The strawberry presence is still tasty with that nice vanilla twist. But, now I start to notice a bit of a spice note. I continue my research with a few more sips of the wine and I think I am going to call it a mild pink peppercorn taste and this taste is on the back of the palate.

Seven Deadly Zins: Review

15% abv
$11.00 Costco
Lodi Appellation
Vinted and Bottled by Michael and David Phillips
Graton, California, USA

A nice thick, almost creamy, mouthfeel gives way to a good spice taste and firm earthy tones. Cinnamon is one spice that stands out. The alcohol peppery spice adds some zip to the palate. Some tasty dark berries swirl around a note of red currant.

I found this to be okay. There are much better zins out there.

Renwood 2006 Grandpere
Ravenswood 2006
Chronic Cellears 2009 Purple Paradise
Ancient Vines 2008 by Cline
A.Mano 2007

Renwood 2006 Zinfandel Grandpere: Wine Review

15% abv

Renwood Winery

Plymouth, California, USA

Renwood.com

$22.00

My Strength Rating: 7

After the fermentation period the wine was aged for 19 months in French and European oak barrels.

Wine Enthusiast 91 rating.

Blackberry, spice, and pepper on the nose.  The body has a deep ruby color with lighter ruby highlights on the edges.

Flavorful spice profile and green peppercorn greet the palate with each sip.  Dark berry notes dance around with some dark cherry, 80% dark chocolate like dryness and bite, along with a splash of oak.  

Overall, one tasty Zin. 

This Zin has a thick texture, dry aftertaste, with a lingering spice and blackberry jam on the tongue.

This wine has nice complexity on the taste and aftertaste. 

I would buy this again.

Linking you UP - check out the other zins reviewed this month
Ravenswood 2006 Teldsechi
Chronic Cellears 2009 Purple Paradise
Ancient Vines 2008 by Cline
Seven Deadly Zins 2008
A.Mano 2007