POLL: What Comic Should I Read and Which Wine Should I Pair it With for the 4th of July?

Tell me how to celebrate! Help me avoid decision fatigue!

I’ve been sitting on these comics and these wines for a little while, and want to pop my cherry on one of each to celebrate the 4th of July…but which should I choose?

I’m going to let you, my readers, decide. Whatever wins, is what’s going down in a couple days. Will the comic and wine pair together? We’re gonna find out! (I will report back in, natch.)

The Comics

Speed Republic 1-5 by Ryan Lindsey and Emanuele Parascandolo (Mad Cave)

Decription: In the future, Europe has united under one man, The Autocrat. He rules the apocalyptic landscape from corporate monopolies with a vision of unity that is gospel to some, but hollow to others. To distract the 99% from their poor and empty lives, they are given the opportunity to compete in the Grand Race. A marathon street race through Europe where only one driver can make it to the end and win a life of luxury. Our hero, Sebastian Valencia enters with the hope that winning this race can make up for his wasted past, but along the way he starts to question what kind of future he is actually buying into.

New Masters 1-6 by Shobo and Shof (Image)

Description: Nigerian brothers SHOBO and SHOF, present NEW MASTERS, a groundbreaking blend of science fiction, adventure, drama, and vibrant Afrofuturism. In a striking vision of West Africa under the thumb of alien colonizers, a motley crew of outcasts find themselves caught up in a power struggle for control of an ancient artifact with immense power.

Dark Beach 1-6 by Michael J. Ruiz-Unger and Sebastian Piriz (Behemoth/Sumerian)

Description: Earth has been drifting away from the sun for three hundred years, but that doesn’t stop Gordo, a crime scene photographer living inside the dome-protected city of New Reykjavík, from dreaming about its warm glow. Is the sun as dangerous as the NRCE (New Reykjavík Corps of Engineers) led everyone to believe or will a murder rife with old sun mystery throw Gordo down a rabbit hole to find the truth?

The Wines

Chateau Chauvin 2010 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru (France)

Deep rich fruit aromatics on the nose, and a lovely plum colour that is holding firm, barely bricking around the edges. This proves once again that this is just a stellar vintage in Bordeaux, delivering on both banks. It's high in alcohol and maybe a bit of a gamble to decide when to drink to make the most of the fruit before the alcohol flattens things out on the finish. But, there is definitely depth and width here with dark bitter chocolate notes and frm tannins - plenty to recommend. 50% new oak, harvest September 29 to October 19.

Chateau Potens 2007 Medoc (France)

Château Potensac is owned by Domaines Delon, and the same team that oversees Leoville Las Cases works their magic here at Potensac. Their 150 acres of vineyards are in the northern Médoc, in the commune of d’Ordonnac and include some plots that are more than 80 years old. Here the soil is very similar to St. Estephe, which is just 15 minutes’ drive to the south. The 2007 vintage has proven itself as delicious for current drinking, but I would argue that this could also be held- I think it is just the beginning for this wine! The hot spring gave way to a wet and cold summer in 2007, but they were patient at Potensac, waiting until late September to harvest and finishing on October 8th. Even though the harvest was late, this wine weighs in at a very digestible 13%

Solar Fortun 2019 Petite Verdot (Baja California)

This 100% Petit Verdot comes from Solar Fortún which is deep in the northern part of the Valle de Guadalupe known as Francisco Zarco. This estate winery was established by Dr. José Alberto Lopez, a doctor of physics and astronomy, in 2007. Alberto had been making wine on the side for 30 years but decided it was time to fully embrace his passion project. He was joined by his son Santiago in 2012, who had just finished his oenology diploma at UC Davis. On their sandy, gravelly alluvial soils they grow Cabernet, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Petit Verdot.

Looking forward to seeing what y’all pick!