Every now and then I listen to an album and ask myself, what kind of wine would you enjoy with this music now? When I've decided, I get the appropriate bottle from my cellar, open it and listen to the album again. With wine.
But until now I have never written about it. Until now.
The candidates:
- Daniel Pad aka ES23: "Dancing With Clouds"
- Paul Clary: "2006 Clary Ranch Syrah Grower's Reserve Shazzam!"
First of all, open the wine.
In color medium to deep black cherry. On the nose, distinct aromas of dark fruit compote, Christmas spice and wet old leaves. Very animating.
And now, some music.
1. Wait For Me
The opener begins ominously. Graveyard bells, gloomy atmosphere, which is reflected in the rhythm of the song. After 45 seconds, the vocals start, which tend to lie behind the rhythm, thus reinforcing it. What is it about? I think it's the search of a driven man. Awesome beginning.
2. Storm
Then it becomes tribal. "Storm" is brutally fast - and sensationally changes its complete orientation after 110 seconds. "Change The Frequencies" indeed. It's like a pause - but it doesn't last long. The last third is pure tribal again.
3. Feed The Machines
Then the first highlight - if one can speak of something with such a strong album at all. The dystopian "Feed The Machines" is - considered purely from the rhythm viewpoint - the bitter reflection of our current European situation. You can literally feel war, turmoil, loss of control. Especially the hard-hitting staccato after 2 3/4 minutes pulls the listener into these spheres. And surely associations to Terminator II are intentional. Awesome.
Intermezzo: The First Sip
The fruity notes, already apparent to the nose, dominate at the beginning. Surprisingly, a slight acidity is still noticeable. In the meantime, notes of lovage have joined the olfactory aromas, which one would rather expect from a Washington State Syrah. Incredibly delicious.
4. Brother Wind
Esotericism? No, only the chosen stylistic device, so that Daniel may lose himself in the 80s as so often. For me the link to "Only Melodies Remain". Or the swan song to it. That would also explain the "wink" at the very end. Beautiful.
5. Dancing With Clouds
The title song of the CD - for me a reminiscence to IAMX - is the reason for the choice of wine. More about that in a moment. "Dancing With Clouds" is the best "song" - Song in contrast to Track - Daniel has written to date. For me, the incarnation of a US101 anthem - traveling south to north starting in L.A. After exactly 2 minutes you are on the Golden Gate Bridge, to really dance with the clouds in Mendocino at the latest. And that's exactly what the wonderful Syrah from the gifted but completely underrated winemaker Paul Clary does. By the way: You pass the wine region the wine comes from when driving along US101.
Intermezzo: Another Sip needed
After this song I need some wine again. I had chosen this Syrah primarily because of this track. And it fits so wonderfully. When we are in California, we always perceive the sky more intensely, especially when there are clouds. And we usually drink wine just like that. Summer Feeling.
6. One Day
And then it becomes tribal again. The beats of "One Day" quickly push away any melancholic thoughts after "Dancing With Clouds". Ultra-fast driving with an outrageously cheeky middle section. Perfect workout track.
7. Firefly
The third highlight of the CD after "Feed The Machines" and "Dancing With Clouds". Why? Because "Firefly" is - somewhere between Marusha and Westbam - THE trance anthem of this decade. The only issue: Too short. So, Daniel, give me a classic maxi single remix.
8. Now
Performance guest singer Dino Serci. The track is a clear call to live in the here and now - and works so well with comparable trance approaches as in "Firefly". "Now is the only time, tomorrow is not real". Daniel: Your current motto? Is that why you leave the vocal part to Dino?
9. Never
Now it gets brutal. Volume up - neighbors out. More dancing is not possible. Daniel has really let off steam here. Rightly so.
10. Retrothunder
The credits to my disc of the year. Classic 80s SciFi howler à la "The Last Starfighter". A worthy conclusion!
The Finale:
The last sips from the glass. The wine is still very present. It lingers in the mouth for a long time, losing none of its freshness. Slightly spicy. Overall, a good choice to accompany Daniel's wonderful album. Just like the clouds, one also perceives the music more intensely.
Saturday, July 15. 2023
The Burlington Chandler Linner
Today a classic American "Linner" - with wines from Burlington Chandler.
We met the owner during our last Lodi visit at the Lodi Wine Experience.
The Programme:
Mango Chili King Prawns - served with
NV Burlington Chandler Lively White "Mark And Jan's Selection"
Vegan Tomato-Inspired Tortillas - served with
2022 Burlington Chandler Rosé Of Malbec
Pasta with Chanterelles - served with
2021 Burlington Chandler Old Vine Zinfandel
But first, the wines are first tasted solo.
NV Burlington Chandler Lively White "Mark And Jan's Selection" (90/100)
Lodi, California, USA
13.5 % Alcohol
Pale golden yellow with light streaks. Subtle citrus notes paired with green gooseberries. Immediately noticeable on the palate is the creaminess underpinned with mild acidity, which just drags on impossibly long to the smooth finish. In Germany, the wine would be described as "feinherb". A classic aperitif for a cooler fall evening. Very strong.
2022 Burlington Chandler Rosé of Malbec (91/100)
Lodi, California, USA
100 % Malbec
12.8 % alcohol
Bright, light raspberry red. Aromas of red currants plus some cassis. Very fresh on the palate with a mild acidity. The medium length finish remains fruity until the soft end. Delightful on such a hot day.
2021 Burlington Chandler Old Vine Zinfandel (95/100)
Lodi, California, USA
100 % Zinfandel
13.9 % Alcohol
Bright ruby red. Aromas of wild strawberries paired with petals and a hint of spice (mild chili spice?). Fresh and fruity on the palate with a long spicy finish. In no way over-extracted. Of course, a phrase from our friend Steve Law spontaneously comes to mind: "Big flavor don't need big alcohol." He is right - and this Zinfandel is a prime example. If ever there was a summer Zin, this is it. Enjoy slightly chilled.
The Pairing(s)
NV Burlington Chandler Lively White "Mark And Jan's Selection" & Mango Chili King Prawns
Awesome!!! The wine develops an extra freshness along with the chili notes. I love when the wine adapts to the dish without losing its soul. Here, that was the case to a very special degree.
2022 Burlington Chandler Rosé of Malbec & Vegan Tomato Inspired Tortillas
In fact, I wasn't quite sure about this one, but all doubts were unfounded. I essentially used Amazon chili - heat level 4 - and cilantro to prepare the filling. And it was precisely with this that the wine developed an almost hedonistic spiciness. Sometimes you just have to be lucky.
2021 Burlington Chandler Old Vine Zinfandel & Pasta with Chanterelles
As you would expect, a perfect pairing. Zinfandel and mushrooms always do the trick. However, the moderate alcohol makes this particular Zinfandel a phenomenal food companion. I would never have recommended Zinfandel with a rib eye - until now.
In total: The perfect Linner!
We met the owner during our last Lodi visit at the Lodi Wine Experience.
The Programme:
Mango Chili King Prawns - served with
NV Burlington Chandler Lively White "Mark And Jan's Selection"
Vegan Tomato-Inspired Tortillas - served with
2022 Burlington Chandler Rosé Of Malbec
Pasta with Chanterelles - served with
2021 Burlington Chandler Old Vine Zinfandel
But first, the wines are first tasted solo.
NV Burlington Chandler Lively White "Mark And Jan's Selection" (90/100)
Lodi, California, USA
13.5 % Alcohol
Pale golden yellow with light streaks. Subtle citrus notes paired with green gooseberries. Immediately noticeable on the palate is the creaminess underpinned with mild acidity, which just drags on impossibly long to the smooth finish. In Germany, the wine would be described as "feinherb". A classic aperitif for a cooler fall evening. Very strong.
2022 Burlington Chandler Rosé of Malbec (91/100)
Lodi, California, USA
100 % Malbec
12.8 % alcohol
Bright, light raspberry red. Aromas of red currants plus some cassis. Very fresh on the palate with a mild acidity. The medium length finish remains fruity until the soft end. Delightful on such a hot day.
2021 Burlington Chandler Old Vine Zinfandel (95/100)
Lodi, California, USA
100 % Zinfandel
13.9 % Alcohol
Bright ruby red. Aromas of wild strawberries paired with petals and a hint of spice (mild chili spice?). Fresh and fruity on the palate with a long spicy finish. In no way over-extracted. Of course, a phrase from our friend Steve Law spontaneously comes to mind: "Big flavor don't need big alcohol." He is right - and this Zinfandel is a prime example. If ever there was a summer Zin, this is it. Enjoy slightly chilled.
The Pairing(s)
NV Burlington Chandler Lively White "Mark And Jan's Selection" & Mango Chili King Prawns
Awesome!!! The wine develops an extra freshness along with the chili notes. I love when the wine adapts to the dish without losing its soul. Here, that was the case to a very special degree.
2022 Burlington Chandler Rosé of Malbec & Vegan Tomato Inspired Tortillas
In fact, I wasn't quite sure about this one, but all doubts were unfounded. I essentially used Amazon chili - heat level 4 - and cilantro to prepare the filling. And it was precisely with this that the wine developed an almost hedonistic spiciness. Sometimes you just have to be lucky.
2021 Burlington Chandler Old Vine Zinfandel & Pasta with Chanterelles
As you would expect, a perfect pairing. Zinfandel and mushrooms always do the trick. However, the moderate alcohol makes this particular Zinfandel a phenomenal food companion. I would never have recommended Zinfandel with a rib eye - until now.
In total: The perfect Linner!
(Page 1 of 1, totaling 2 entries)