Man O’ War Robusto and Horse Play Rollicking Red 2005 Red Wine

The Cigar
Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5.5 x 50
My Strength Rating: 6 during this pairing

Off the light the cigar shows smooth earthy notes. The Robusto has a richer tobacco taste than the Corona. The oak and earthy notes have a nice smooth texture. As I smoke the cigar there is a light sweet cedar note that helps to balance the oak and earthy notes. I also notice a medium roast coffee style that is enjoyable. While the Corona size had a black pepper spice the Robusto has a good musty white pepper like character. The earthy notes are that of toasted wood, leaves, and soil.

The ash is salt and pepper in color and holds on for an easy inch and a half. It was still holding firm when I removed the long ash.

This cigar would be good to pair with a fuller red wine or an oaky ale maybe a sour beer.

The Wine
Horse Play Rollicking Red 2005
The blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 44%, Merlot 39%, Syrah 17%
13.8% abv
Vinted and bottled by: Horse Play
Santa Rosa, California, USA
Horseplaywines.com

I picked this bottle up at the local grocery store for only $7.50 a bottle – half off its regular price. I only bought one bottle and got home and tasted it and then went back to buy the remaining bottles. This is a tasty red wine. The aroma has a rich dark berry nose. The taste will not disappoint you. The blackberry and currants are flavorful. The red cherry and plum notes help to balance the lush texture of this wine. The mossy earth, tobacco, and delicate spice undertones help to bring this flavorful wine together.

This is what they have to say on their web site:

“Our debut 2005 vintage was produced from choice grapes grown in Sonoma County and the Central Coast regions of Paso Robles and San Benito County. The outstanding 2005 growing season fostered intense, concentrated flavors in our grapes, greatly enhancing the quality of this robust, yet graceful red, which gained further complexity from five months’ aging in French and American oak.”

Pick up a bottle of this wine if you find it.

The Pairing

This is one tasty pairing. The berry flavors of the wine mingled with the rich oak and earthy notes of the cigar for a great taste experience. The smooth and lush texture of the wine was not lost during this pairing. These two complimented each other well during this experience. I recommend this pairing.