Music and Wine: April 2019

Welcome to Delectable's column, Music and Wine! If you’re on the lookout for newly released music, grab your headphones. If you’re searching for a fresh bottle, grab your glass. And if you’re looking for the perfect wine to pair with that pop song you can't stop playing on repeat, then sit back, relax, and enjoy these Delectable tunes. Each month, we will gather a playlist of newly released songs and pair them with wines that hit all the right notes. Listen on Spotify Now 1. Sunflower – Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend’s latest release, Sunflower, takes cues from their professed love of 70s rock and features guest guitarist Steve Lacy of The Internet. Between the funky guitar rhythms and scat singing, there’s a carefree feeling to this track that we think calls for a light and bubbly Champagne, such as a bottle of 2002 Egly-Ouriet Brut Tradition Grand Cru Champagne Blend . 2. Missed Connection – The Head and the Heart Folk group The Head and the Heart dive into pop (and a sprinkling of hip-hop influence) with their latest single, Missed Connection. The song is upbeat while the lyrics fuse the history of the band’s formation ten years ago and vocalist Jon Russell’s experience meeting his girlfriend. It’s a song that tests their boundaries, and perfectly demonstrates their desire for a “rebirth”, as described in their press release. Perhaps there is no better pairing then, than a grape that has also gone through a bit of a “rebirth”. Carignan has been known for being difficult to grow and mostly used in blends. Lately, thanks to more studies and image campaigns, it’s been making a case for high-quality and varietal bottlings. We’d suggest the 2016 Sandlands Carignan . 3. Into Me – Lion Babe Lion Babe gives us so many great songs to choose from on their latest album, Cosmic Wind. The R&B Duo presents a dreamlike sound, one that is truly perfect for enjoying with your upcoming rooftop wine get-togethers. “Into Me” has relatively simple lyrics with a docile beat, yet it’s groovy enough to make you want to move your hips or bop your head. We’re thinking this calls for a wine that also doesn’t command attention, but adds that vital carefree and laidback component to your perfect evening out with friends. We’re thinking a 2017 Seven of Hearts Rosé of Pinot Noir . 4. GIRL – Maren Morris GIRL, the album’s namesake song, feels both like a hug and a wakeup call you would get from an older sister. Understanding stems from the lines where Morris acknowledges the listener’s struggles and knows that they’re trying, while encouragement comes from her telling the listener to stop waiting and pick themselves up off the floor. We think a comforting song with powerful messages about womanhood woven into the lines should pair with a nice red made by a woman winemaker. We recommend the 2015 Château La Lagune’s Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend . 5. Hurricanes – Dido After 6 years since her last album, Dido is back with her latest release, Still on My Mind. The common theme of relationships, love, and heartbreak and the strength that comes after can be found throughout the album. Hurricanes is the first song on the album and begins with soft strums of the guitar and Dido’s haunting voice guiding the song towards the more electronic beats that slowly become louder and louder. This song feels almost weightless as it grows, and what could be a better pairing with that than the 2002 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru ? Face the hurricanes with a glass of this layered wine. 6. Light Years – The National Indie rock band The National has released two singles within the past month. While the first, You Had Your Soul With You, was unusually upbeat, their latest, Light Years, returns to the familiar and warm cradle of sound they’ve established so well. The closing tune to their upcoming eighth album tells the story of two lovers who can never seem to understand one another. We think an underrated wine, preferably one that is expressive with a hint of complexity would reflect the song perfectly, such as the 2015 Oliviero Toscani Lumeo . Listen to the previous month's playlist here .

Oliviero Toscani

Lumeo Syrah 2015

Delectable Wine
9.3

The 2015 Lumeo, 100% Syrah fermented in terra cotta, is powerful, deep and super-expressive from the very first taste. Ripe dark cherry, plum, lavender and spice infuse this sumptuous, full-bodied Syrah. Time in the glass brings out the wine's fruit and textural resonance beautifully. In short, the 2015 is impressive stuff and one of the most compelling new entries in Tuscany I have tasted in some time. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2019)
— 5 years ago

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Sandlands

Contra Costa County Carignane 2016

Delectable Wine
9.3

The 2016 Carignan is bright, punchy and distinctive, with tons of varietal character. Succulent red cherry, plum, tobacco, menthol, licorice and leather are pushed forward in this racy, pliant Carignan. There is a directness to the Carignan that is impossible to resist. As is the case with most of these wines, the 100% whole clusters are not at all evident, except perhaps in the wine's structural feel. The purity and density of the 2016 is striking. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2018) — 5 years ago

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Château La Lagune

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

Delectable Wine
9.2

The 2015 La Lagune is terrific. Powerful and dense on the palate, with big, potent tannins, it will need at least a few years to fully come together. Hints of tobacco, cedar, licorice and smoke add shades of aromatic nuance. This is a fabulous effort. Don't miss it. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2018) — 5 years ago

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Seven of Hearts

Pinot Noir Rosé 2017

Delectable Wine
9.0

Neon orange-pink. Fresh red berry and floral qualities on the deeply perfumed nose. Silky and broad on the palate, offering sappy raspberry, cherry and tangerine flavors sharpened by a zesty white pepper flourish. Closes smooth, appealingly sweet and quite long, featuring building florality and a late suggestion of rose pastille. This full-flavored pink wine would make a great stand-in for a lighter red during the hot summer months. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, June 2018) — 5 years ago

Domaine des Lambrays

Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2002

Delectable Wine
9.3

Good medium red; not particularly saturated but with a healthy rim. Alluringly scented, wild-yet-somehow-refined aromas of musky raspberry, strawberry, rose petal, brown spices, cedar, underbrush and coffee; this smells sweet! Silky, stylish and weightless, showing lovely stemmy definition and lift to its flavors of wild red berries, mocha and dried flowers. Not a particularly dense or fleshy style but an alluring, vibrant drink that's perfect right now. In fact, in spite of its intense fruit component this wine may only thin out from here. This subtle, elegant Clos des Lambrays finishes with a firm dusting of tannins and a light touch. (13.7% alcohol; 3.59 pH; 3.5 g/l acidity) (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, April 2019) — 5 years ago

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Egly-Ouriet

Brut Tradition Grand Cru Champagne Blend 2002

Delectable Wine
9.3

Light yellow-gold. Fresh orchard and pit fruits on the deeply scented nose, with notes of musky rhubarb and smoky minerals emerging with air. Deeply pitched poached pear and nectarine flavors show impressive power and are lifted by notes of chalk and ginger. Packs a serious punch but manages to come off as elegant. Finishes very long, with a strong jolt of minerality and slow-building leesiness. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, December 2013) — 5 years ago

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