Ave Maria Lionheart and Peirano Estate Petite Sirah 2008: Pairing

The Cigar

Ave Maria Lionheart Box-press

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Sun Grown

Binder: Nicaraguan

Fillers: Nicaraguan

Size: 5.5 x 55

Special Edition Sampler

Taste Profile: nice woody tone that reminds me of oak, a touch of walnut, earthy notes, and dusty white pepper. The cigar has a dry leathery texture.  The cigar provides plenty of smoke, burns evenly, and has a solid medium body just on the edge of medium-full. 

The Wine

Peirano Estate Petite Sirah 2008

The Heritage Collection

Peirano Estate Vineyards

Graton, California, USA

11.2% abv

See full review (click here)

This wine has a very nice bouquet.  To me this wine has rich dark berries, dark soil earthy tones with a firm oaky presence, and hint of soft white pepper. 

The Pairing

These two match up well with their oaky tones and dusty white pepper spice.  The dark berries of the wine mingle well with the earthy and walnut notes of the cigar.  I like puffing on this and when the dry leathery mouthfeel kicks in a sip or two of the wine refreshes the palate and those tasty dark berry notes are just wonderful.  

Gurkha Ancient Warrior and Peirano Estate Petite Sirah 2008

The Wine

Peirano Estate Petite Sirah 2008

The Heritage Collection

LODI

Graton, California, USA

14.2% abv

$14.00 at The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan

See Jimmy at The Fine Wine Source

He has the best prices around and tell him

WinePostings told you. 

Appearance: dark purple body with a purple rim

Right after opening:

Aroma: reminds me walking into a winery, fresh grapes galore

Flavors: rich dark berries, dark soil earthy tone with a firm oaky presence, soft white pepper

One Hour after Opening:

Aroma: the big fresh grapes are still on the scene, little smoky note, earthy tones, faint spice

Flavors: big bold dark berries, dusty cocoa, rich soil, the oaky note has mellowed since the opening,

Mouthfeel: thick on the palate, bold flavors, tannins and acidity are under control on this four year old bottle. 

My Strength Rating: 8 –full

The Cigar

Gurkha Ancient Warrior Presidente

Special Edition

Wrapper: Habano

Fillers: Dominican and Nicaraguan

Size: 8.5 x 52

I would be surprised if it was a 50 ring gauge

I got 10 sticks for $40 on CI

Normally $65 for 10

Off the Light: earthy start, sweet soil like; and lightly toasted leafs. Let’s see how it goes with this Petite Sirah.

The Pairing: after a few puffs on the cigar I introduce the wine. Oo La La, this is nice.  The sweet soil earthy style of the cigar mingles wonderfully with the bold earthy style of the Petite Sirah. 

Mid-Point (of the cigar): a good hardwood note develops with a rich mineral soil earthy tone, toasted sweet Russian bread, toasted tobacco leaf

The overall mouthfeel of this cigar has been smooth and rich. 

The Pairing: I don’t think they made this cigar for a while for I have not seen it around.  When I saw it on Cigar Internationals web site I had to buy this cigar.  This cigar was great with red wines and today it is not disappointing me.  The earthy tones (including wood) of the cigar and wine are working together just nicely. The dark berry and dark chocolate notes of the Petite Sirah are tasty whether I puff the cigar and then have the wine or the other way around.  This would be a great after dinner pairing.

There are a few things I like about this pairing but, the one that stands out to me is that the wine is fuller than the cigar without overwhelming it.   

Down the Stretch (on the cigar): the smoke is still rich in its earthy and toasty tobacco style. The sweet bready note has stepped to the side and the overall smoking experience now is more roasted like.

My Strength Rating (cigar): 6 – medium-full at best.