PAIRING - 2002 Bollinger Rose, Champagne, France
The unmistakeable trajectory of this band is finally impossible to ignore. As complete an album as I've heard in years, the evolution of their sound has absolutely flowered into an experience thats both fresh and familiar in the same note. With every listen, the mountain becomes a new home which you never want to leave. Instant classic.
The Bollinger rose from 2002 is sinply luxury in every way. The world of spirits is littered with high end glamour products, not worth the money beyond the vanity factor to pay the price. Like Louis XIII, this bubbly wonder is the heavenly exception that is worth every considerable dollar. Delicious, as complex as the tower of Babel, and with the finish of a Mortal Kombat champion, this is hands down the best thing I have ever drank. 95 points.
Portugal, The Man - So American
Portugal, The Man - Got It All
2. THE BLACK KEYS - El Camino
PAIRING - 2009 Domaine Du Pegau Chateauneuf Du Pape, Rhone Valley, France
Another band following that arc of a band rocketing to new heights from their years of launching through relative obscurity, for the 2nd straight year they deliver a classic record to adoring masses hungry for their infectious brand of blues rock. Reunited with Danger Mouse, they've taken the blueprint of Brothers and melded it with the stylistic ambience that made Attack & Release their coming of age. Little Black Submarines may be the best song they've ever recorded.
Robert Parker has given this young blockbuster a stratespheric score of 97 points. I wont go that high, but I will call this a legend in waiting. 10 years from now tis will be amongst the most prized wines on the planet. 95 points.
The Black Keys - Little Black Submarines
PAIRING - 1982 Chateau Margaux, Bordeaux, France
I'll confess to not being Common's biggest fan. I've long respected his skillset, but I've just never gotten hooked by the vibe of his previous work for an entire album. Until his Christmas present to hip hop he unleashed upon us 2 months back. Finally he has tied his considerable talent and flow to a collection of tracks I just keep going back to. He also kicks some considerable ass in TV's Hell On Wheels.
Chateau Margaux is the epitome of the force behind Bordeaux's place as the most revered reds on the planet. This 1982 is showing signs of fading with age (based on 2 tastes 8 months apart) yet has all the muscle and grace that defines its appelation. 94 points.
Common - Sweet
Common - Lovin I Lost
4. SAIGON - The Greatest Story Never Told
PAIRING - 1982 Chateau Haut-Brion, Bordeaux, France
I would have never guessed a Saigon record would become a personal favourite, but this record is much more about the achievement of producer Just Blaze than it is a testament to the MC. Track after track of incredible jams begins to illustrate that any capable MC can reach the higher level in the hands of top class production. An AZ for a new generation. Make no mistake, this is the definitive arrival of Just Blaze. Sprinkle in some rock solid cameos from the likes of Jay Z, Q Tip and Fatman Scoop and you've got the surprise record of the season.
Another iconic Bordeaux running full stride into its Clooney years. Unlike Pauillacs and Margeauxs, which are cabernets for the entire world, wines from the commune of Graves remain cabernets distinctly for fans of the old world. You can literally taste the ground from which it came, especially in this distinguished age where its lucious fruit has now faded to grey, unveiling a new beauty, both gritty and warm. 94 points.
Saigon ft Faith Evans - Clap
5. BUCK 65 - 20 Odd YearsPAIRING - NV Tarlant Brut Zero, Champagne, France
One of the years earlier releases, this one has stuck with me the entire year. Likely the most complete Buck 65 records of his entire career, it rarely achieves greatness, yet never stops delivering a constant rush of solid and unique musical experiences that together raise the sum above its individual parts. By far the years best use of cameos, the result is singularly wonderful marriages each and every time.
Without peer, Tarlant is the pre-eminant value wine in all of Champagne. This racy wonder is a celebration of sparkling wine that bubbles all the way down to the peasants. Or at least the borgeoisie. 94 points.
Buck 65 - Zombie Delight
6. BAYSIDE - Killing TimePAIRING - 2007 - Chateau De Beaucastel Chateauneuf Du Pape, Rhone Valley, France
While bands like Alkaline Trio and Jimmy Eat World begin their descent into old age, Bayside has continually risen over the past five years as the most engaging and unique acts in pop punk. The dark twists and unparalelled songcraft continue once again, keeping the dream alive for the tragically hopeful meloncholy kids, whose headphone catharsis requires that special personal trainer.
I tasted my first bottle of my collection of 07 Beaucastel's, and I wont have another for 5 years. I'm already jonesing. Grenache's holy greatness giving sermon on the mount. 94 points.
Bayside - On Love On Life
7. PHONTE - Charity Starts At HomePAIRING - 2004 Antinori Brunello, Tuscany, Italy
Phonte's undeniable charm elevates this record more with every listen. The Little Brother MC had a big year in 2011, not only with his debut LP, but with notable cameos for the like of The Roots and Pharoahe Monch. Here, he shines through a set of R&B so smooth, breakfast cooks may attempt to use it to grease their pans.
A classic vintage and a classic producer, truly entering its prime. Equal parts power and finesse, it genuinely runs the full range of sangiovese's character from rich fruit to chalky tannins laced through bracing acidity.
Phonte - Sending My Love
8. BLUEPRINT - Adventures In Counter Culture
PAIRING - 2006 Bouchard Pere Et Fils L'Enfant Jesus, Burgundy, France
After quietly slipping in the Blueprint Who EP at the end of last year, Print wasted mo time or momentum in unleashing his new full length and hitting the road throughout North America opening for Atmosphere. Once again you see an artist fully embracing new dimensions, with this synth driven hip hop opus. While it may not be his greatest, tracks like So Alive and Radio Inactive remind you at once, exactly why you took the time to know Al in the first place.
Red Burgundy is that elusive experience thats equal parts hedonism and poetry. Bouchard garnered yet another Winery of the Year award this past year and as one of Burgundy's most decorated houses, its little wonder their monopole, L'enfant Jesus, strikes those chords you never knew existed. Drinking from a wine like this must be as the deaf, cured in attendance of the greatest of opera. Throw down some duck and call it a day.93 points.
Blueprint - So Alive
9. AMY WINEHOUSE - Lioness: Hidden Treasures
PAIRING - 1978 Lafite-Rothschild, Bordeaux, France
Odd to consider this a top 10 record. Thats either teastament to the thin class of 2011 or the class of Miss Winehouse herself, whose final years of alcohol abuse still managed to crap out a collection of tunes this enjoyable. While lacking the blockbuster appeal of her hits, on display throughout is an ability to simply electrify even the most uninspired efforts into something worldclass.
Pauillac is my favourite Bordeaux commune but Pontet Canet is more my financial reach rather than the noble neighbors like Rothschild. Getting to try one of the worlds most expensive wines, from a vintage older than myself was a true experience. 93 points.
Amy Winehouse Ft Nas - Like Smoke
10. THE ROOTS - Undun
PAIRING - 2006 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet, Napa Valley, United States
Its staggering to think that this marks over a dozen studio releases from The Roots and even more incredible, their penchant throughout their career for forging a catalog that never fails to deliver. They dont make your song of the year, but their records have been warming up rooms for decades. Yet another example of reliable, thought provoking musical theatre bouncing to a style thats all their own.
The best Napa Cab I have ever tasted. Their focus on creating distinct terroirs for each label brings an old world savy to the ripest of new world fruit. Nowhere is this as evident as in their Volcanic Hill vineyard, which echoes that same minerality as best exemplified on the volcanic slopes of Campania's Mt Etna. A stunning achievement. 93 points.
The Roots - Kool On
11. THE STEP KIDS - The Stepkids
PAIRING - 2005 Pontet Canet, Bordeaux, France
A shockingly slick and innovative debut record. Fresh, funky, and refined. Baby making music on LSD. You know that record that comes along once in awhile that you like almost exclusively because its cooler than you are? Meet another.
The most stunning modern Bordeaux vintage thats presently drinking (much hyped 2009 & 2010's need many years before its worth popping cork), the value house in elite wine delivers Tesseron's best work to date. I have been thirsting over Pontet Canet's since the 2001 vintage and this one is every bit the equal of its $1500 a bottle neighbors. Yet at $100 you can drink the wine of kings without selling your car. Alas though, all this great wine is making waves...the 2009's are up to $200 on futures and you can tack on another $100 on that for the 2010's. The secret is out. 93 points.
The Stepkids - Suburban Dream
12. CITY & COLOUR - Little HellPAIRING - 1990 Louis Latour Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy, France
I'm a tad shamed by admitting this, mostly because as a human being, Dallas was amongst the more douchey folks I ever dealt with in the concert business. But his talent is unmistakable. He elevated each new Alexisonfire record, the more that they showcased his vocals. And while he may fancy himself emo's answer to Michael Jackson, he delivers a mature upgrade to the evolution of his dolo catalog with Little Hell. Electrifying his accoustic past comes to dazzling effect and at times is hauntingly remeniscent of Neil Young gems of yesteryear. I'm sad and shocked...but I like this record.
There's little in life as fragile as old burgundy. No decanter. No doddling over conversation. Just get it into your mouth while the ancient poet still has the lungs to speak to you. When its over, you will contemplate. Stunned even. Trying to put together the pieces of your mind having been blown away. 93 points.
City & Colour - Fragile Bird
13. BLU - JesusPAIRING - 2007 Les Clos Jordanne Pinot Noir, Niagara, Canada
If not for the shockingly poor recording, even by mixtape standards, this might have been the record of the year. Even in spite of the questionable sound quality, this record rains new blood into the hip hop vampire. Blu's knack for original lyrical style fused over tantilizing old soul and wall of sound era melodies makes him the most exciting young mc in the game where I'm standing. Cant wait for next.
2007 will long be remembered for Niagara wine lovers as the vintage our reds finally achieved greatness. The evidence is abound throughout the region, but the Clos Jordanne is a particular stunner, with all the classic character of Burgundy pinot, grown here at our doorstep. 92 points.
Blu - Lucky
14. THE AGGROLITES - Rugged Road
PAIRING - 2009 Kistler Les Noisettiers Chardonnay, Sonoma County, United States
The shortest Aggro record of their career but its hard to begrudge given their now bursting catalog and their commitment to touring. Their live show continues to be amongst the best in the world, and the new record adds new classics into the mix. Its amazing to think how a bands weakest record to date could still be so much better than most of whats out there.
Nowhere outside Burgundy itself can you find a chardonnay this perfect. So much complexity, so much buttery softness yet driven by a spine of minerality that commands attention both from the wine as well as the consumer. Breathtaking. 92 points.
The Aggrolites - Aggro Band Plays On
15. CUT COPY - Zonoscope
PAIRING - 2009 Westrey Pinot Noir, Oregon, United States
The hype machine drilled one of the records best tracks into commercial-use irritability, but make no mistake, this record is no one trick pony. Building from their impressive debut, this sophmore release oozes sensible pop through the dancable charms of the 1980's. At times the sounds border on too familiar but in all, its just very smooth from beginning to end.
I will admit some bias here, haven spent an afternoon slugging chardonnay with owner David Autrey during his last visit to Toronto. The fact that he shares my passion for burgundy grapes and has the same vision for his local region as I do here for Niagara takes nothing away from the simple truth that this is a world class pinot noir. Burgundy geeks take note. Home. 92 points.
Cut Copy - Take Me Over
16. THE DRUMS -=Portamento
PAIRING - 2006 Poggio Antico Brunello, Tuscany, Italy
While definitively a step back from their now iconic debut, this record still displays sufficient charm to keep you coming back. While they keep to form on this followup, I cant help but feel some extra time writing new material could have delivered us a better record and left the considerable scraps on the cutting room floor. But its their art, so what do I knowÉ
Perhaps not yet at its peak, but every bit the considerable monster that a tasty brunello should be. With wood oven pizza and San Marzano abound our fair city these days, I feel it would be wise to carry something like this around me, just to be ready. 92 points.
The Drums - Hard To Love
And that brings us to the end once again. There`s a bunch that didnt quite make the grade. Records from Talib, Lupe Fiasco, Face To Face, She Wants Revenge, Killer Mike, Cake, J Cole, Stephen Marley, Childish Gambino, August Burns Red, Fucked Up, REM, Bright Eyes, Raekwon, The Strokes and The Beastie Boys all posessed their respective charm. In contrast efforts from Rise Against, Travis Barker, Blink 182, Chuck Ragan, The Get Up Kids, Radiohead, The Moiuntain Goats and the Alkaline Trio all fell pretty flat. At least we have 2010.
Now get drunk and go dancing! Its Saturday night!
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