Carolyn Wonderful & Quinta do Portal Colheita Douro Red

Been out of commission for the past month or so starting a consulting business that I’m happy to say is going quite well. When I last posted, I was doing a special on guitarists born during the seventies and tonight I want to finish it up with an exceptional guitarist and vocalist, Carolyn Wonderland. While she is a dynamite blues guitarist, it’s her vocals that kick butt. The combination of the two is incredible. She reminds me a little of Bonnie Raitt’s early years before she went pop.

She was born in 1972 and is originally from Houston. Started writing and playing the guitar at the age of eight and really owned the Houston blues awards during the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Most recently, she garnered the title of Best Female Vocalist at the 2012 Austin Music Awards. She may be a high school dropout, but she’s got a Ph.D. in blues. Enjoy!

I live alone with someone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT4Lr_oVGQY&feature=related

Austin City Limits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJV1Lrou55U

Judgement day blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b4fJRPnZT0&feature=fvwrel

Misunderstood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsVMfARmqaI

Elmore James: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qIKJkkzAVI&feature=related

Wind cries Mary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bFfsgzXzIE

What good can drinkin do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba6zuM6wfdE

Come together: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhPKVmW-vRI

When I go away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ewax6hcAnE

Meet me in the morning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyQ7AeecUO8

Still alive and well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fua-E9R5nTw&feature=related

Bad girl blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O96oMY1U2UM&feature=related

Two trains: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLKdLNO9xZ0&feature=related

Victory of flying: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTFtfSweRvE&feature=relmfu

I was cruising the wine racks at Costco and stumbled on tonight’s wine, the 2009 Quinta do Portal Colheita Douro Red. The wine is from Portugal (Douro is the home of Port) and is a mix of 60%Tinta Roriz, 25% Touriga Nacional, and 15% Touriga Franca. It was rated a 93 by Wine Enthusiast and at $12.00, I figured it was worth exploring. Glad I did. Its bouquet is full of dark fruit and spice that follows on the palate with touches of chocolate and coffee. It has a rich mouth feel with soft tannins and a long finish. I highly recommend it, especially on a cold winter night with a fire going while you listen to the music of Carolyn Wonderful.

Cheers!