Tonight I will be in Oakland, at a performance of this band:

Excited. Pscyched (east coast). Stoked (west coast).

Good ol' Tasting Notes...in three words or less

Some more quality time spent at Terroir last night, with my Birminghamian (England) co-worker, her husband, one of her friends (also from Birmingham) visiting San Francisco, as well as everyone's favorite San Jose based wine/food/music blogger, Cory Cartwright, with his lovely wife Emily. Incidentally, Cory has some very interesting things planned on his blog to celebrate natural wines in June. It's a growing list of slated contributors, including myself, Dr. J, Natural Process Alliance's Kevin Kelley, and others. As Kurt Loder used to say on MTV news, 'Do try to catch it.'

Last night, I was also spinning some records, often times letting a few tunes run in a row as there is only one turntable set up in a tiny area towards the back of the bar. Assuming the powers that be enjoyed the change of pace, I might do this again, in which case I'll publicize beforehand next time. If you enjoy the more than occasional youtube clips I post here including (but not limited to) the likes of Mobb Deep, Black Uhuru, Steel Pulse, Gangstarr, Kraftwerk, Mad Professor, etc, then you might enjoy checking it out.

And now, les vins...

'07 Marc Ollivier 'Clos de Briords' Muscadet- Crispy entree
NV ('95, not labeled as such) Renee Collard 'Cuvee Ultime' Champagne - lees, spice, broad
'07 Thierry Puzelat Le Brin de Chevre Touraine - Squeaky clean, focused
'08 Jean Foillard Gamay (forget exact name on label) - beaujo light
'07 Jean Foillard Morgon - now we talkin'
'06 COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria - cherriesburntbrownsugar
05 Eric Texier St Gervais - needed more decanting
'04 Domaine de Belliviers 'Hommage a Louis Derré' Coteaux du Loir- crack cocaine production

Earth Wind & Fire Review Postponed

Well, I'm sad to say that the review of EWF's Grattitude, the famous live recording, staple for silent storm format radio DJ's, hip-hop producers, and lovers of all things tuneful and funky, has been postponed until I locate the vinyl. You see, I found the cover, only to discover that there was no LP in there. I know that the record must be missing in action, placed in the wrong cover, or otherwise misplaced somewhere in my collection. It's too bad, since I really did want to review this one, and also was craving to listen to it (anything I review is listened to start to finish, track by track, all the way through). Preferably on vinyl, not CD or itunes.

For now, I will settle on listening to Open Our Eyes, a studio album which displays the deft combination of jazz chops, soulful hooks, gospel influence and free spirited, but tight, musical experimentation that EWF was known for back in their heyday.

I need more SAVAGNIN in my life.

2004 Emmanuel Houillon Arbois Pupillin

I don't recall if I am listing this wine properly, because as many of you already know, Houillon took over the estate from his mentor, Pierre Overnoy, and both names are mentioned on the bottle (sometimes). Houillon works completely SANS SOUFRE (sulphur free). Yes, it can be done people... Anyway, this is Savagnin at its piercing, achingly acidic, and, with some air, fleshy, nutty, intriguing best. Not as much sous voile influence as, say, the '05 Montborgeau L'Etoile, but definitely a little more nutty, savory character than the '04 Domaine de la Tournelles Savagnin, which is also very tasty Savagnin, by the way. If you appreciate clarity, precision, intensity and ACIDITY in white wines than Savagnin is basically the shit. I need to drink more of the stuff.

For some interesting discussion on the intriguing wines of Houillon, Overnoy, Houillon/Overnoy, or however you choose to refer to this Jura estate, see here.

Or here.

Of course, I'd be remiss to not point you over to G's direction.

Oh, and for those with French language skills and/or aspirations, and a taste for the dramatic, here.

EWF - Devotion!

Think that I might just take a break from the Punk, Rap and Reggae review format to review this soulful, funky, live staple from Earth Wind & Fire. For those of you familiar with this one, I'm sure you'll agree it's well worth the detour from my usual programming. For now, enjoy the video, full review of EWF's Grattitude live album to come later on....

Closeouts: Are they really a good deal?

I'm sure that many of you have seen quite the impressive number of price reductions, wholesaler and retailer based closeouts so far this year. Considering the weak economy and the steeply rising prices of many wines, it's only natural for there to be a large number of price corrections in the market, with many more ahead of us. If you closely scour a store's inventory, either by paying a visit to scan the shelves, or shopping online, you are likely to spot some terrific deals. Buyer beware, though. What seems like a good deal on paper may actually disappoint.

Though I'm in the business, I too am not immune to huge price reduction fever. I purchased a mixed case recently which I had thought would make me very happy in the months and years ahead. A few bottles '04 Chateau Brown Blanc at $12.99 (marked down from $29.99), six bottles of '06 Domaine Ostertag Riesling Fronzholz at $9.99 (marked down from $39.99) and a few '05 La Parde de Haut Bailly ($14.99, down from $29.99). All but the last wine, I think, were bad mistakes, even considering the huge savings. On the '04 Brown Pessac-Leognan, I remembered liking it quite a bit more, though it did follow a line-up of big, oaky, tannic '05 and '06 Bordeaux. What was relatively balanced, bright and tasty that day I have since discovered is just another oaked white wine I don't much care for, not even at $12.99. For the Ostertag, '06 was a far from stellar year in Alsace. Big ripe wines with more botrytis are the norm; even someone like Ostertag must have had a tough time producing wines which balance power, mineral and acidity. Granted for $10 a pop, it will be an interesting experiment to see where this wine is at in five years, though I'm not optimistic about the results. As for the '05 La Parde (Haut Bailly's second label), I'm cautiously optimistic as the wine is big, but also very mineral and Haut Bailly's stuff is a lot more honest and well made than many other Bdx out there.

So before you pull the trigger on any 'deals,' it may help to first remember what you actually like.

Dennis Bovell, DUB MASTER

For all the late night lurkers, the midnight ravers, blog trollers, and dub seekers, listen....