The Wine
Chronic Cellars Sofa King Bueno 2009
15% abv
Paso Robles, California, USA
25% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah, 18% Mourvedre, 16% Zinfandel, 15% Grenache, 5% Tempranillo, 1% Tannat
Appearance: deep purple
Aroma: rich dark berries, sweet spice, delicate earth
Flavors: mixed dark berries, the cinnamon slaps you silly, a touch of vanilla, 60% dark chocolate style,
Mouthfeel: thick, jammy on the tongue, long thick layers of dark berries linger on the palate,
My Strength Rating: 6.5 – the long lingering notes raises the point value.
To the Point: If you want to know what a cinnamon note is like in wine then, get this bottle and have a drink. Very interesting and tasty wine.
The Cigar
Blend Lab CI ZK-660
Wrapper: Brazlian Arapireca Maduro
Binder: Habano Nicaragua Viso
Fillers: Jalapa Ligero, Esteli Ligero, Condega Viso
$8.50 a stick
Off the Light: hardwood, heavy soil earthy tone, and a touch of burnt coffee.
As the cigar continues there are a variety of earthy notes; on a couple of puffs I picked up a peat moss tone, rich black soil seems to be the main profile, hardwood, rich tobacco leaves. The coffee note has settled to a grainy, earthy cup of joe.
Paired with Chronic Cellars Sofa King Bueno 2009. This cigar is really nice with this glass of wine. The cigar seems to tame the bold dose of cinnamon. The dark berry bowl mix of the wine mingles well with the earthy tones and coffee of the cigar.
Mid-Point: The earthy French Roast coffee note has taken front and center in the flavor profile. There is a dry dusting of 70% dark chocolate like character swirling around the palate. With that Brazlian Maduro wrapper on this cigar it reminds me of the CAO Brazlian Amazon. The mouthfeel is dry yet smooth. There is a dry lingering dusty cocoa powder aftertaste.
The Pairing: The dark chocolate like qualities of these two is very tasty during the exchange. The wine seems to have a mocha like tone and caramel note during this pairing. When I sip the wine and that bold cinnamon like note coats the palate and then when I puff the cigar that sweet spice circulates with the cigar smoke for a pleasing taste experience.
Down the Stretch: This cigar has ample smoke. The coffee flavor is still bold, the dark chocolate note is still swirling around and there is a spicy brown mustard note on the scene (it could be Gulden’s Spicy Brown). None the less the cigar has a good green peppercorn like spiciness that builds during this third. The mouthfeel is very dry and wool like in texture. On the last inch of the cigar the flavors are just dry and dusty.
The Pairing: the mouthfeel is thick and dry. A glass of water is needed to refresh the palate at this point. The dark berries, that touch of vanilla, and the dark chocolate from the wine is still tasty and it really helps the cigars dry texture at this point in the game.
My Strength Rating: (cigar) 6.5 overall. Starts off medium and ends medium-full in the final third.
To the Point: an interesting smoke. It reminded me of the CAO Amazon which I’ll have to smoke one tomorrow to experience the comparison.
No comments:
Post a Comment