Alex Kabasser & Vall Llach Embriux

Alex Kabasser is an Austrian guitarist, born September 1983. He grew up in Klagenfurt, Austria and picked up the guitar at the age of nine. He started out studying electric guitar and the music of Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, and John Petrucci, but discovered classical guitar and the music of Bach, Villa-Lobos, and Segovia in 2003. He studied classical music for two years at the conservatoire in Graz, Austria under the tutelage of Dietmar Kres. But in 2005, he met up with another Austrian acoustic guitarist , Thomas Kleeb, whom I reviewed about three years ago, and was heavily influenced by his musical style. Since then, he’s focused on fingerstyle acoustic and as you’ll see, is quite the virtuoso. Hope you enjoy him.

Irish Statement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKzpiwlYP2E

Minuet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIXFAUmPiik

Sadepisara: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYDNUR6kvcA

Foxi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_-yGzzu7Wk

Heads up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yisfIolSII0

Homebox: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFK-VoKLpVM

The beauty in between: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLFj3AMbuks

Mexico: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zofni-02Ebw

Symphonie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDXLvl6oJ5A

Ragamuffin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gcH09MTGjI

Dexter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-ILbbr_Bks

With Beppe Gambetta & Uli Boegerhausen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAx8dEYvsH0&feature=relmfu

I love Alex’s music and style, so I’m pairing him with one of the best wines I’ve tasted this year, namely, the 2007 Embruix (pronounced "Embroosh") from de Vall Llach in the Priorat of Catalan, Spain. The Catalans call it Priorat, most others in Spain say Priorato - however you choose to pronounce it, the Priorat has become something of a cult wine producing region, creating wines that can cost up to 5 times that of a quality Rioja. This particular wine is made from the estate's younger vines and is a blend of 30% Garnacha, 30% Carinena, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Merlot and Syrah.

The wine is a deep, glass-coating purple color with enchanting aromas of blueberries, plums, and mulling spices. It’s a full-bodied, dense, savory wine with a complex palate of blackberry, raisins and chocolate flavors. The tannins are soft and the finish is long and mouth watering.  And at $19.00 a bottle, it’s one of the best values I’ve found. Paired with the guitar of Alex Kabasser, it’s an unbeatable duo. Enjoy!

Cheers!