Saturday, December 31, 2011

A wonderful lunch and some great new music

I had a most enjoyable lunch yesterday at one of my favorite eateries, the Urbano Cafe. In it's current incarnation (for the last two+ years) next to Jimmy's Italian Market located on the corner of Bryan and Fitzhugh here in Dallas, TX, it provides excellent food at reasonable prices (my bill was less than $11), and it's BYOB! It doesn't get any better than this! You need to check it out.

Just before lunch, I also discovered that one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Grayson Capps, has a new studio album out, his fifth. After hearing the cut, Rock and Roll, on Deidre Craft's show, Pearl's General Store, yesterday on KOOP FM in Austin, I realized that I needed to buy it! You should too!

Monday, November 28, 2011

A New Wine and a New Vintage

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I tried a new Zinfandel, Dancing Bull 09 California. I liked it a lot and the price is great-$10 or less. I was told that it was highly rated, but I have not been able to verify that. It is a E.J. Gallo wine.

My current favorite, Apothic Red 09 has a new vintage, 2010, and an added varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon, to the blend. The 2009 has Zinfandel, Syrah, and Merlot only which I like better than the new blend. It is a little drier, but still a good wine for around $11. I still can get the 09 for a while at my local World Market.


Saturday, September 3, 2011

Eilen Jewell

Last night marked the second stop on Eilen Jewell's first official Texas tour and her first public show in Dallas as part of her "Queen of the Minor Key" album promotion. The first stop was Houston, tonight Denton, Sunday in San Antonio and finishing on Tuesday in Austin where she has played several times before.

In my opinion, this woman is one of the biggest talents in the music business today with a beautiful, soulful voice along with expert song styling. Her show at All Good Cafe in Deep Ellum was exceptional and she played to a packed house of others who appreciated her as much as I do. What an evening! Catch her live if you can; if not, get the new CD-it's great!


Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Eilen Jewell

Great news! Eilen plays the AllGood Cafe on 9/2 promoting her new album, Queen of the Minor Key! She's one of the best female singer/songwriters I've ever heard, and this album is killer!. Be there or be square! See her website for other dates in Texas.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

An excellent inexpensive blend

Last Saturday, I tasted one of the best blends, Apothic Red 2009 Winemaker's Blend from California, I've had in a long time. Made of Syrah, Zinfandel and Merlot, it sells for $9.99 at Kroger here in Dallas. It is a great value!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Summer Beer

I tasted my new summer beer about three weeks ago. It is Shiner's new seasonal, Ruby Redbird, with ruby red grapefruit and ginger. It is perfect for summer with a Texas twist!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Great cheap Pinot Noir

I went to Buzzbrews here in Dallas forn the first time Wednesday night for dinner-interesting place. The star, however, was the 09 Cycles Gladiator California Pinot Noir. It is from the same winery group as my previous favorite, Hahn Estates.

Sold for $23 at the restaurant-a good price, I was able to find it the next day at Goody Goody for $10.95! Now that's my kind of price point for a very good Pinot Noir! Enjoy!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

An expensive wine tasting and an upcoming album by Eilen Jewell

I attended a Keenan Winery tasting at Veritas Wine Room here in Dallas on 4/21/11. The reds, mainly what I drink, were pricey to very expensive. The o8 Chardonnay, Spring Mountain District was rated 88 by Robert Parker and was very good in the $30 range. The 06 Napa Valley Merlot rated 89 by Robert Parker was good in the mid $30 range. The 07 Cab Franc (100%) rated 94 by Robert Parker was quite good in the upper $50 range. Then came the really pricey ones, first the 07 Napa Valley Mernet (50/50 merlot & cab sav) rated 98 by Robert Parker was vey good but it was priced right at $100! The final one, the 06 Cab Sav Reserve Spring Mountain District rated 90+ by Robert Parker which I liked the best priced just over the mid $90 range.

The host was Travis James from Avante Beverages who also hosted the Blackburn Wine tasting previously with very good wines more in my price range. I was told by a wine provider a few years ago that wine pricing is perceived value. I, for one, cannot perceive any wine to be worth $100 or anywhere near that price. No one I enjoy wines with does either. I prefer finding a wine like the 08 SXS South Australia Shiraz at World Market for $10! That's just one man's opinion.
Now to the new album soon to be released (June 28th) by Eilen Jewell-Queen of the Minor Key. Those of you who have followed this blog know she is a favorite of mine. I have had the opportunity to hear the album in it's entirety and it is spectacular. If you have an opportunity to see the woman live, take it; you won't be disappointed!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Blackburn Wine Company

Last night, I went to Veritas Wine Bar here in Dallas to taste three reds from Blackburn from Paso Robles, CA. The wines-2008 Blackburn Cab Sav, 2006 Park Blend, 2008 Proulx Petite Syrah were great! The Cab & the Syrah were $14.50 with the Blend selling for $19.50. These are excellent wines at VERY good prices!

My cheapo SXSW!

I am late in talking about the four acts I saw in the DFW metroplex as opposed to trekking to Austin. It began with my favorite-Eilen Jewell and her band who came by KNON on Wednesday March 16th prior to her show at the Chat Room in Ft. Worth on their way to Austin. She was joined by Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers from Seattle making this a bi-coastal pairing as Eilen is from Boston. The venue in Ft. Worth was small and smoky, but the music was excellent! I'm now a Zoe Muth fan as well.
On Saturday March 19th again in Fort Worth-this time at Arts 5th Ave.-I caught David Olney and Sergio Webb on their way back from Austin. I have heard great things about David, but had never seen him live. This venue is much better and the show was spectacular! David's songs and styling are wonderful; adding Sergio's guitars made even better. He is a great player! I won't miss them anytime they're in the area.
Finally, last Friday March 25th, I saw the Stone River Boys at the All Good Cafe here in Dallas. I saw them for the first time at last year's SXSW. They are from Austin and played SXSW this year as well. They are a great group playing an eclectic style of music. These are all groups I would have seen in Austin, but I was able to catch them all locally.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Great, cheap Malbec

Central Market in Dallas, TX has Crios Malbec
09  Mendoza Argentina for $10!
 It is rated 90 by Robert Parker for the fourth
 year in a row! A great value for a very good wine.