Mas Donis

Barrica 2003; more Spanish wonderfullness. D.O.C. Montsant Capcanes estates in Tarragona, a new one on me. Balanced, vibrant, full, some chalky tannins; but welcomingly fruity. Apparently Garnacha/Syrah (traditional for the appellation.)

Hey Mark what was that '99 you brought yesterday? I recycled the bottle but it was great.

Dona Paula

Cabernet '04 **. Dignified, full-bodied. Great with food. Just as good as the Malbec. $9.

Wayne

Hears Tranes's notes the way Trane hears the changes. And plays what's needed.

Structure

You know it when you taste it. Abadia Retuerta Seleccion Especial '01. $20. Cabernet-Merlot-Tempranillo; a super-duero, if you will. A great winery, and an '01, so there you go. Structure, character, balance. Had a bottle with a wonderful meal at our totally legit neighborhood bistro, Culinariane. It was just as good at home with frozen tortellini. We laid a couple bottles down; they should be even better. ***

Don't forget Retuerta's Sardon De Duero. '03 is out now. Also fabulous for $14. **.

Return of the X

Popped some of my favorite $6.99 Equis. Blended by Eric Solomon from Bobal - Merlot - Tempranillo - Garnacha. From Castilla/La Mancha. Have always like it. M went off it for a while but Sunday's bottle was really good. Opens up beautifully. Bigger and less fruity than previous vintages. * or **? Will have to open another to confirm.

I'm So Proud

Jack: Lele says that in China the government won't let you listen to rock music.

Me: Well, that's true, Jack.

Jack: I could never go there.

Double Bass (Guitar)

The new Roy Hargrove Rh Factor record has 2 bass guitarists playing through the whole thing. Reggie Washington play a lot of mid-bass subhooks (as he has been doing for 15 years.) I've seen him in a couple settings where he hangs out in the upper register all night, soloing and comping. He has a hot Jazz-bass sound. The other bassist is Lonny Stallworth, whom I've never heard of. He's got a neck-through Fodera-ish sound. Both have the funk; the rhythm section is playing just ahead of the beat, pretty much P-Funk territory. Both bassists play the whole time, panned a bit left and right. They get in the same register regularly and the groove never suffers. Overall impression is just That's Some Funky Sh*t, and very thick. I guess P-Funk had Bernie, but these guys aren't doubling each other. They just leave some space for each other and its contrapuntal. We must note that while there is some serious groovesmanship, serious trumpet playing and serious tune-age, there is some cheesy R&B as well. I think the good stuff is worth it. M is not so sure...

Lack of Internationalism

Just had a Las Rocas Garnacha '04 ($10) with a typical dinner. The wine was more distinctive than any red I've had lately. You know the Ste. Michelle Syrah we had the other night was not that different from the the Rosenblum Zin that followed it. The Las Rocas tasted like a place; they left some shale in there at the expense of fullness or roundness. More distinctive, more intriguing. Ultimately more satisfying if less seductive. We've been drinking this since the '01s and its always been excellent. The first time we had it at a superb dinner at Il Forno before seeing Roseanne Cash and her husband do a beautiful, gut-wrenching show in a church right after her father died. She did "I Still Miss Someone." Oh my.

Gruner

Trevor & Teka brought over a Gruner Veltliner on Monday. Very enjoyable; like a lighter semi-sweet riesling.

Ch. Ste. Michelle

Chateau Ste. Michelle Syrah '03. Large, not huge. Fruity but not too. Missing the white pepper, but satisfyingly round. With another excellent Bobby Flay concoction: grilled chicken thighs with a caribbeanish curry dry rub and mango-habenero salsa. mmm. $12-ish. *.

Can't find a reference to it, but we really enjoyed a (lower Rhone?) rose a couple weeks ago. Had 5 varietals; usual suspects syrah, grenache, cinsault, and some cabernet sauvignon. Indeed it was a little bigger, but very refreshing. $9, I think. *.

5 minutes in the life