Robben Ford and Clos La Coutale Cahors

It’s been one of those weeks that couldn’t end fast enough. Lots of craziness, but nothing lifts my mood more than some rocking blues, especially when the guitarist is Robben Ford. He’s a four-time Grammy nominee and has played with a diverse slew of artists including Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Witherspoon, Miles Davis, George Harrison, Phil Lesh, Bonnie Raitt, Michael McDonald, and dozens of others. His first guitar idols were Michael Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and after hearing them, he picked up the guitar and never looked back. He also developed a love of jazz, particularly the work of saxophonist Paul Desmond of the Dave Brubeck quartet. His style is a fusion of jazz and blues that gets your head to bobbing and your foot to tapping to some very upbeat and listenable music. Two of my favorites are “Start It Up” and “Talk To Your Daughter.” Hope you enjoy him.

Start it up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIi0GF6K3yE&feature=related

Lovin Cup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmgVZRZWyoc&feature=related

Talk to your daughter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qiz30Hzhta4&feature=related

Rumba Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V7mZtHZZuo&feature=related

Indiana Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqrGesEe6Zw&feature=related

She Cries: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v2JPksJaKY&feature=related

Worried Life Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGJafrBw5UA

Crosscut saw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUtlsk0lx8g&feature=related

Supernatural: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdgnehRA_as&feature=related

Prisoner of Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKOJSlWXn5c&feature=related

You cut me to the bone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixOm4WTupfw&feature=related

He don’t play nothin but the blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-Rz9_xugIU&feature=related

Tired of Talkin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLrRwjM8z48&feature=related

The Brother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJMtkh3u9R4&feature=related


With a big rich blues player like Robben, I’ve got to pair him with an equally big wine, a 2007 Clos La Coutale Cahors from France. It’s 80% Malbec (yes, Malbec was in France before it reached Argentina) and 20% Merlot that opens with a salvo of black cherry, cassis, blackberry, at touch of blueberry, and hints of oak. It’s a bright red color with elegant well-defined, concentrated flavors of dark cherry, blackberry and plum, followed by notes of dark chocolate. Lots of muscle and dense structure with a long, powerful finish. What’s even more incredible is it’s only $13.00 a bottle. Wine Spectator rated it a 90 and combined with the price, I’d give it a 105! Great wine, fabulous guitar, Friday night at last. Enjoy!

Cheers!