Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Tour

Miley rocked the house, at least the kids think so.

The ticketless entry seemed to work fine for me. It is pretty clear that a number of people didn't understand the rules (e.g. The person who bought the tickets needs to show up with the credit card they used). The "show" started an hour early with "Metro Station" Mileys brother, they played well, but the kids were off getting shirts when the show started and missed the first few minutes. Miley started promptly at 8 PM, used most every concert effect I have seen ever, except for lasers. Sound was not the best, loud but not clear. I am not a big fan of her music, took the kids cause they wanted to go. They loved it!!!! Give it four stars because of the sound quality, five if the sound was better.

Opening act: Metro Station (Miley's Brother)
Favorite moment: Miley flying over the crowd during "Fly"
Least favorite moment: Trying to get out of Oakland.

Would I go on my own, no way. But if you have a teen or pre-teen girl they will think you are the greatest parent on a the planet for at least a couple of days if you take them.

Pahlmeyer 2007 "Jayson" Chardonnay

Jayson is the "off label" version of "Pahlmeyer" chardonnay. They started releasing this label a few years ago for barrels that weren't quite of to the standards they wanted. Today it has grown a bit of a following "Me for one". It is half the price of the flagship product, same grapes, same barrels, slightly different blend, and one killer chardonnay. The other good thing is that it is ready to drink now, no putting it in a dark cool place for six months until the "bottle shock" wears off. The taste is mostly citrus and melon, nice layering of flavors. It is full-bodied, very intense and nice earthy mouth feel, long lingering finish. If you want a great bottle of wine, at a price far less than great bottle pricing jump on this one.

Jackson Browne Concert Review

Well I have this saying "Trips down memory lane usually end up off in the ditch in flames". This is the exception that proves the rule. Jackson was in top form, he played two sets, no warm up band. Lots of old stuff, lots of new stuff. He really seems to care about our men and women oversea's and expressed it in a way that was very non political. The last time I saw Jackson was on the "Running On Empty" tour back about 30 years ago. His musical skills and ability to excite a crowd have improved, he is much more upbeat than the last time I saw him. Played almost everything I really wanted to hear. And of course he ended the show with "The Load Out / Stay" a.k.a. "The Roadie Song". So if you get the chance it is a great evening out with your honey.

Jackson Browne, August 19th, Paramont Theatre, Oakland

Jackson Browne is an old favorite, and there are few places better than the Paramont to go see a concert. Tickets are still available, hope to see you there.

PS: Take BART if you can, the station is just a few steps from the theater.

2006 Tudor Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

Needed a nice bottle of wine to take to dinner two weekends ago and stopped at a wine shop off of Union Square. The guy who runs the shop is/was very knowledgeable and took me down to his basement storage area, what I found was a site to behold ~8500 (year x winery x variatel) different California wines. This is the only store that I have seen that has everything (almost, no LWC Pinots). Anyway he recommended the 2006 Tudor Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. This wine is very subtle, lots of flavor but not overpowering like some Santa Lucia pinots can be. Even though it has just been released it is ready to drink.
2,497 cases made, most likely won't last long.

Silver Oak Cellars Relase Party Time Again (August 1st)

I have written about this many times, gone to it even more times, had fun always. If you like great cabernet, great food, great music, and a great time, you need to go. The new building in Oakville is open, so no need to make the trek to Geyserville this year.

Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009
Time: 9 am to 3:30 pm; sales continue until 4 pm
Locations:
Alexander Valley: Geyserville Estate
Napa Valley: Oakville Estate

Dave Matthews Band at Outside Lands Festival August 29th

August 29th at Golden Gate Park.
Get your tickets at http://sfoutsidelands.com

Here is the lineup for the day.

Dave Matthews Band
Black Eyed Peas
The Mars Volta
Jason Mraz
TV on the Radio
Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band
Mastodon
Raphael Saadiq
Os Mutantes
Street Sweeper Social Club
JJ Grey & Mofro
Deerhunter
Lila Downs
Zion I
Bat For Lashes
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Groundation
Dengue Fever
The Dirtbombs
Portugal. The Man
Ryan Bingham
Extra Golden
Infantree

Back from the break !!!!

Thanks to all of you have emailed or asked what happend to the blog. I was suffering from a lack in insporation, and lack of good wines, and recipes to write about. I have a bunch of new ideas, and new things to write about now. As always many thanks to the Alpha and Beta testers.

Todd K.

1997 Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

In a few words "This is the mother of all nineties Cabs". I stole this line from the wine maker Bo Barret (see the movie Bottle Shock if you don't know who he is). It is big, bold, nice mouth feel, lots of fruit, long lingering finish. Of all the 1997 cabs I have, and have tasted this is my favorite to date. The perfect pairing is grilled pineapple and foie gras.

Grilled Pineapple

This is good with most anything, it is a hit around our house.

Core, peel, and slice a ripe pineapple into half inch slices. In a 9x13 glass baking dish add 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 cup of dark rum, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 2 table spoons of cinnamon. Stir until mostly dissolved. Marinade the pineapple slices for 30 minutes to one hour. Throw them on the grill at medium head (~350) for about 3 to 4 minutes per side.