Renaissance Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 and Casa Torano Cigar

The Wine

This cabernet comes from the Sierra Foothills in Oregon House, California. This 13.5% abv red wine is still fine eleven years later. There is a nice dark cherry nose. I like the blackberry bite that mixes with the plum, earth, black cherry, spice, and sweet cedar notes. This wine leaves a good thick earthy quality or jammy feel on the palate. This cab has some good body.

With each sip I can taste that moist plum flavor and then the dark fruits kick in to add some body structure to the flavor profile. The spice and woody notes play on the back of the palate for that nice Cabernet Sauvignon finish. I think I’ll give this wine a 7 on my strength scale. (medium-full)

This bottle use to sell for around $27 - $30 a bottle and I just picked up a few bottles at $15.00 each.

See earlier posting from today for cigar profile.
 
The Pairing

I have to admit that I wanted to pair this red wine with a fuller bodied cigar but, this seemed like the good opportunity to take a full-medium bodied wine and have something out of its strength rating (going to the milder side of course). I rated this cigar a 1.5 on my strength scale and I rated this wine a seven. So, I am moving 5.5 points over, this should be a good contrast.

The pairing is going very well. The cigar does not interfere at all with this Cabernet Sauvignon. I get to enjoy all the flavors of the wine as if I was not even smoking a cigar. And, I do not mean that as a bad thing either. I am enjoying the smoking experience without changing any of the qualities of this wine. I think this experience has convinced me to purchase a few more of these cigars – just for that reason.

Carlos Torano - Casa Torano Toro Cigar

Wrapper: Ecuador-Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua, and A family blend of Central and South American tobaccos.
Size: 6 x 50
My Strength Rating: 1.5

On the sampler box it is described as 'light bodied and flavor.' This sure is light bodied. It is very mild. Not only is it very mild it is light in flavor. Almost void of flavor. No woody, nutty or earthy notes for me to describe. With each puff I tried to detect something and I will have to settle with describing it as a very mild classic tobacco taste.

This would be an excellent cigar for the newbie to cigar smoking. It is also an excellent choice to have with a wide range of beverages. There are no particular flavors from the cigar to interfere with the beverage of your choice. I’ll bet this would be an excellent choice with an IPA beer, strong spirits, and even a bold wine. It would also go well with lighter bodied beverages as well.

I remember when this cigar came out and made it to the store shelf. I did try a few but; due to its mild nature I discounted the cigar. I am glad I am trying this cigar again. I think I may keep a few on hand to match up with some quality beverages.

For a very mild cigar this is very good.