I don’t usually like jazz covers of pop songs. To me, they’re the epitome of elevator muzak. But now, on my second glass of 2009 Robert Craig “Affinity” Cabernet Sauvignon (approx. $45), this version of “Yesterday” by Lee Morgan is sounding pretty nice.
That doesn’t do Lee Morgan justice. Great bop trumpeter, much better at his chosen profession than I’ll ever be at anything I do, probably!
As for the juice: a “Bordeaux blend” that is more California than France, consisting of 86% Cab Sauv, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 2% Malbec, and 1% Cab Franc. Wow, when was the last time you had a Bordeaux blend from Bordeaux that had Malbec?
Dark, saturated color with a nose full of that California Cab mint/eucalyptus, green vegetable, cassis, dark berries. Extremely smooth and rich on the entry, with readily-apparent but well-integrated oak. A touch of sweetness and baking spice from the oak, with a full mouthfeel and moderate-long finish that ends with bittersweet cacao. Very elegant, big but not too big, this one will please any lover of stereotypical late-90s to aughts California Cabs. It’s not a classically-styled California Cab (that’s more of the Mount Eden, whose post I will have to put up soon), but good for the autumn days that are surely waiting for us around the corner.
Grab yourself some jazz, a bottle of the Affinity, and get, as they would have said in Morgan’s day, “stoned.” Or drink it with a steak. That would work too.
Vinicultured: A Wine Blog 
You should really listen to The Bad Plus – their cover of Karma Police is particularly amazing :).
I’ve listened to the Bad Plus but they haven’t really been my cup of tea: however, WOW! That version of “Karma Police” is pretty amazing, especially the build-up to the climax and all the drums and piano. Thanks for the recommendation!
(I’m thinking a cerebral white wine for this one… any pairing suggestion? Maybe Condrieu?)
Watch them live – they are a whole different story than their recordings.
Pairing – Condrieu is an excellent choice. That or white Cote d’Or.