Tag: Cigars

The Federalist and Tobaccology to the Rescue!

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Don’t you love when your friends gift you with a good bottle of wine. My first experience of “The Federalist Zinfandel, 2014” was gifted during the Washington, DC area 2016 Blizzard.

Before I describe the wine, l first have to give applause to Tobaccology for being the Number One Cigar Shop and Lounge in Northern Virginia!!! (clapping hands).

From the first time my husband (fiancé at the time) and I entered the shop, we were greeted with warmth and we knew instantly that we found our “home shop”. The owners, Brett and Bubba support and generosity are beyond AMAZING!

On the aftermath of the blizzard, the infamous Tobaccology truck pulls up in front of the house, stepping out is the owner, Brett and girlfriend, Jesse asking if we needed assistance. We are stunned with surprise! 🙂

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They are driving around checking on friends, clearing neighborhood fire hydrants and offering assistance with shoveling. TOP-CLASS ACT!

In addition, instead of us showing our appreciation, we were gifted with a bottle of The Federalist, a Zinfandel. YAY! 🙂

I enjoyed the wine so much the first time, I had to have it again.

Color and Aromas – Rich color and vibrant smoky, chocolate and prunes aromas.

Taste – The first sip has me perplexed; very complex, well-balanced flavors: hints of raisins, bold prunes with a slight herbal on the finish.

The second, third and fourth sips – I can’t stop sipping. I’m trying to identify the multiples flavors that has my palate doing cartwheels. Firm chalky tannins at the end of every sip, has a short finish. The wine is at proper temperature of 56 degrees… I will allow the wine to breathe a bit longer and see what flavors presents itself.

The fifth sip – the prunes are friggin amazing!” Prunes, cherry, woodsy flavors are emerging.

Time to locate the tasting notes and see what’s behind “The Federalist”; from federalistwines.com:

“The Federalist Zinfandel has robust fruit with bright berry fruit character, and its lively acidity allows it to partner well with a wide variety of foods. 

• Bottle Size: 750 ml
• Appellation: Sonoma County
• Sub-Appellation: Dry Creek Valley
• Grape Varieties: Zinfandel; Carignane
• Alcohol Percentage: 14.90%
• Fermentation: Different blocks were
   fermented separately to preserve ideal
   characteristics of each. Each block spends an
    average of 12 days on the skins.
• Aging: The separate blocks were blended post
   malolactic fermentation and aged for 16 months
  in 20% new oak barrels.”

I’m still sipping and the tannins has soften and I’m now tasting the skins of the grape.

The Federalist, you are one of a kind Zinfandel! Zinlovers this is a must try!

Brett and Jesse thank you, again for the wine!

Folks, swing by one of Tobaccology’s locations for premium cigars, tobacco products and accessories. Also, check out Amoxes’s frescos. 🙂

TOBACCOLOGY
Address: 11001 Nokesville Rd, Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: (703) 330-1511
Hours: 12–10PM

TOBACCOLOGY
Address: 6710 Madison St, Haymarket, VA 20169
Hours: 12–10PM

Salute! Sante!

Rome Anejo and Petit Verdot

 

ROME Anejo, at first puff, produces full peppery flavors with a hint of mineral that reminds me of Cabernet Franc. (I find myself continuously sniffing the cigar wrapper). This a smooth medium-full bodied smoke with a slight cocoa aroma and taste; very nice! 

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BACKGROUND

Romeo y Julieta cigars, named after Shakespeare’s play, was created in Cuba in1875. In 1946 after visiting Cuba, Winston Churchill became a devoted fan of Romeo y Julieta cigars. Out of appreciation, Romeo y Julieta named a cigar size after Winston Churchill.

“After the Cuban embargo, production of Romeo y Julieta cigars moved to the Dominican Republic, where the medium-bodied cigars are more popular than ever and sought after for their flavor, construction, and consistency.” Today, the majority of Romeo y Julieta cigars are hand made at the renowned Tabacalera de García factory.” (romeoyjulietacigars.com)

ROMEO Añejo is created with the finest stalk cut, dark Connecticut broadleaf wrapper and double fermented 2008 vintage blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran sun grown tobaccos that are aged in special cedar cajones (yes, I had to research cajon, which is a drum/box made of cedar). The result of this aging process produced rich and robust smoke featuring coffee and dark chocolate notes. (romeoyjulietacigars.com)

 

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Amoxes firing up a Rome Anejo

 

Now, let’s see how well ROME Anejo pairs with a 2013 Paradise Springs of Clifton Petit Verdot. I suspect the peppery flavors of the cigar to enhance the spicy and peppery flavors in the Petit Verdot. 

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Petit Verdot is a full-bodied red wine and is one of the Bordeaux varietals (In case you were wondering, there are five Bordeaux varietals: Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc). Petit Verdot is typically used as a blending wine. However, it does very well in Virginia bottled as a single varietal. Virginia produces magnificent Petit Verdot!

Paradise Springs of Clifton 2013 Petit Verdot has rich dark color, blackberries aromas and just as I predicted a very nice match with the ROME Anejo. The spicy flavors enhance each other, creating long firm tannins.

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I love Petit Verdot! I love so much; in 2010, I was barrel owner of Pearmund Cellars 2009 Petit Verdot. In addition to Paradise Springs and Pearmund Cellars, Virginia wineries, Chrysalis Vineyards produces an amazing Petit Verdot.

Petit Verdot is an exceptional wine to pair with a medium-full and full bodied cigars. Hmmm, I foresee a vertical tasting of Petit Verdot and cigar challenge :).

 

Salute! Sante’!

Josh and AVO – A Magnificent Pair

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On this nice pre-Spring day, the bees are already out and the birds are chirping. Before the sun sets and to relieve this stress that has me knots, a 2012 Josh (Josh Cellars) Pinot Noir is calling my name.

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Josh has vibrant ruby color and its bright cherry aroma is welcoming me. “Well, Hello Josh!” “Mmmm Josh, you are YUMMY! Your fruit-forward cherry and raisin flavors are delicious.”  Second sip,  I am reminded of berry flavored natural dried fruit snacks; not the fruit roll-up kids love. This is an excellent treat!

Time to see if AVO Uvezian Heritage and Josh Pinot Noir can play along nicely.

I have always been a fan of AVO cigars. Around 2008/09, I had the great pleasure of personally meeting AVO at Famous Smoke Cigar Expo and gifted with two of those beautiful AVO ashtrays displayed the below picture, which was a hot item at the event.

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Did you know AVO Uvezian is a jazz pianist? Yes. In a NY Times article, dated December 27, 2015, by Jacob Langston, it is reported that AVO Uvezian wrote the melody to Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the Night”. Unfortunately, Mr. Uvezian did not receive any credit. Following is a link of Mr. Uvezian playing his melody:

youtube video: AVO Uvezian Jazz Pianist Playing

To learn more about AVO Uvezian visit avo.com. and video on the history of AVO Uvezian cigars at History of AVO Uvezian Cigars .

This early evening, I’m having a AVO Heritage short robusto. The draw is tight and rolling between my fingers is not loosening the cigar. I am dire need a cigar poker; time to get creative. A metal skewer will do just fine. Hey! this cigar is too good to discard because the draw is tight. OH YES, much better!

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AVO Heritage is a smooth medium-full bodied cigar with hint of cocoa. The Heritage is Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper with Dominican binder and fillers. AVO Heritage is a VERY NICE SMOKE! So happy we are getting acquainted. 🙂

The 2012 Josh Pinot Noir has introduced some herbal notes to AVO that was not previously noticeable. In addition, the Pinot Noir is enhancing the cocoa flavor on finish. Josh pairs magnificently with AVO Heritage; GREAT COMBINATION!

Until…

The damp Spring-like air and the AVO are producing aromas of manure GAROSS! Ok, it’s not the cigar. A neighbor must be mulching their yard-MANURE IS IN THE AIR. The smell is affecting my smoking experience. It’s the same displeasure when you are enjoying a cigar and you get a whiff of sweet aromas. You immediately find yourself searching the room for the culprit. I don’t know about you, but the scent of sweet aromas causes a few moments of disruption. By the way, I do not have anything against flavored cigar; I too enjoy a Java Maduro. I digress…

Josh and AVO, you are a perfect end to a stressful week!

 

Salute! Sante’!