CI Blend Lab YP-5754 Cigar and Black Star Farms 2008 Leorie Vineyard: Pairing

The Wine

Black Star Farms 2008 Leorie Vineyard

Blend: Merlot 76% and Cabernet Franc 24%

Old Mission Peninsula

Black Star Farms

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Blackstarfarms.com

13% abv

$45.00 a bottle

Opening the bottle has the heart beating a little fast because the cork has a lot of seepage and it looks like the wine has made it way to the top of the cork.  The cork does have a wax topper.  I smelled the cork and it does not smell bad and then a quick whiff from the bottle all seems well. (see cork at the bottom of this posting)  I pour a little into a wine glass and it seems okay.  No outstanding nasty taste.  Okay, let’s set up to do the review. 

Appearance: garnet body with a ruby edge.

Aroma: fresh red berries with a dusting of earth.  Light overall.

Flavors: Red currant, plum, spice from the oak, cocoa powder, and black soil.

Mouthfeel: smooth on the delivery and then a bit jammy on the finish, lingering berries on the palate, full-medium body overall,

The Cigar

CI Blend Lab YP-5754

Cigars International web site recommends to pair this with a Port Wine but, I don’t have one and I already had this bottle selected for reviewing.

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro

Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Fillers: Esteli Ligero, Condega Viso, Jalapa Ligero

Size: 5.75 x 54 Figurado

I smoked one the other week and enjoyed it so, let’s see how it reviews. 

Off the Light: rich soil with a hint of spice in the back.  As the smoke continues the spice starts to come through.  The spice has a good black and green peppercorn likeness. The soil earthy tone seems to be mixed with a touch of hardwood.  The draw is perfect and the mouthfeel is wool like.

The Pairing: the soil and black peppery spice quality of the cigar contrasts the smooth delivery, red berries, and black soil like qualities of the wine nicely.  What I found interesting was the jammy mouth feel did not seem a full as when I had the wine by itself. 

Mid-Point: as the smoke enteres the mid-section of the stick the bold black pepper profile seems to be settling.  Now, it seems like the green peppercorn is still present, but a dusting of white musty peppercorn is in the mix.  The rich soil and hardwood notes seem to be the main profile here in the mid-section compared to the black pepper in the first third.  The mouthfeel is a little smoother than the first third. 

The Pairing: with the earthy qualities of the cigar standing out here at the mid-point this seems to help to bring out the earthy notes of the wine.  The oaky note and the hint of spice from the wine is a little more noticeable during this point of the experience.  This has turned out to be a very good pairing.

Down the Stretch: Pretty much like the mid-section with a touch of a bitter note on the palate. 

To the Point (cigar): a very good experience. Worth the 7 bucks.