Today’s Bordeaux 2008 boasts 100 Classic, Contemporary, Affordable Wines. Since I’ve begun taking my wine consumption more seriously lately, I’ve felt there is a gap separating the French from everyone else. To me, French wines just seem to be more–complete. By that I mean that after a few tastes, you can just sit back and enjoy. I really don’t try to dissect the flavors, because they work so well together. There’s this liquid harmony working that makes it so melodic. I’ve tasted many wines where the fruits seem to battle each other for position within the wine. There’s an internal discord, like the Beatles in the 70’s.

Since I seem to be lingering with the musical analogies, I’ll try to flesh out an example. If you get a chance, listen to the Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over. Throughout the live album, the five core members are dead on with their harmonies, creating one huge voice with each individual represented. It’s truly amazing. French wines operate on that same level. There’s that feeling of, “Hey, this exactly the way things should be.”

I’m sticking my neck out a bit here, because not all French wines have that harmony. I tried one the other night (Tarus?) that was highly recommended by the guy at Specs. It wasn’t quite there. There was too much going on, and it didn’t go together. But the majority of the ones that have “it” are French in my book.

I’m going to print the list and try a few of these wines, and I invite you to join me. I’ve tried a few and seen several others around, but the names all mix together until I find something that really stands out. I’ve been searching for that undiscovered talent, but I find myself returning for what I consider the most harmonious of them all, Chateau de Cadillac. Also, if you’re looking for some vocal harmonies in your music, try Los Lonely Boys, a Texican Rock-n-Roll trio from San Angelo.

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