Rocky Patel Renaissance Robusto and Robert Mondavi 2009 Meritage: Pairing

The Wine

Robert Mondavi 2009 Meritage

Private Selection

13.5% abv

Blend: 41% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon,

11% Petit Verdot, 10% Malbec, 3% Cab. Franc

Vinted & Bottled by: Robert Mondavi

Woodbridge, California, USA

rmprivateselection.com

$10.00 a bottle

I bought this bottle at the fundraiser for Waggin’ Tails Dog Rescue

Appearance: deep purple with a nice purple edge

Aroma: mixed dark berries with a slight spice

Flavors: spice is right up front, touch of black pepper, hint of blackberry with a dose of boysenberry, there is a slight watery edge that hits the palate.   Once the wine opens a bit there is just a touch of mocha and a hint of coffee and I am going to add a note of Michigan Cherry.

Mouthfeel: smooth; dark berries dance on the tongue; feels a bit thin at first but fills in a little if you get it to breath. 

My Strength Rating: 4.5 – I was going to do a 4 but, the lingering berry notes said 4.5. 

To the Point: a nice medium bodied Meritage.  Not the most complex wine, a bit thin at first and then fills in a little as it breathes.  For $10.00 a bottle it is a good party wine or a good introductory wine for the newbie. 

The Cigar

Rocky Patel Renaissance Robusto

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra

Binder: Honduran

Fillers: Honduran

Size: 5 x 50

$7.00 a stick

Off the Light: tasty roasted grains, a bit of mild coffee, and a hint of 60% type dark chocolate.  The cigar has a nice firm gray looking ash. 

Mid-Point: good mild-medium roasted grains, the mild coffee continues but, I don’t notice any dark chocolate since those first few puffs on the first inch; there seems to be a nice soil earthy tone settling in. 

As the burn passes the halfway mark there are some spice notes on the finish.  There seems to be no burning issues. 

Mouthfeel is Rocky Patel smooth and medium in body.  There is a dry soil earth note that lingers on the palate.    

Down the Stretch: nice roasted grains and mild coffee continue to please the palate.  A touch of dried brown spice and a hint of pink peppercorn enters the picture.   

My Strength Rating: 5

To the Point: a very pleasing smoking experience.  A solid medium bodied smoke.  This is my first Rocky Patel Renaissance and I would buy another. 

The Pairing

This is a nice pairing.  The cigar actually helps this wine.  The earthy notes and roasted grains of the cigar help to perk up the body of this wine so the wine feels a little fuller.  After a few puffs of the cigar the wine refreshes the palate.  I enjoy this wine more so with the cigar than by itself. 

Both the wine and the cigar are medium in body.  Both seem to be short of being complex.  Both are tasty, enjoyable, and budget friendly.