A Short Review of
My Friends as Wine
by
Adam Plescia
Darren
Ingram Chardonnay, Guymon Valley 1968
Uncanny scents of fresh cut
grass and wildflowers fill the bouquet. This Chardonnay is very
aromatic and youthful, despite its age. A nice accompaniment to
lunch, Ingram suggests fall season attributes: Kansas City
Chiefs games, Rick Bass novels, dried fig, and clove. There is even
a hint of toasted oak. In the world of overpriced Chardonnay, Darren
Ingram is a bargain at $28.
Gayla
Gower Cabernet Savignon, Springfield, Missouri Reserve 1969
With
its light-blond tint and tightly wound nose, this Cabernet has huge
potential. With little coaxing, you get hints of chocolate and plum
in the mix. Liquid chocolate cake is the usual follow-up after Gower
settles on the palate. Rich with semi-sweet undercurrents, this
Gayla Gower is full-bodied and full of goodness. Start saving at
$100.
Jake
Dorn Merlot, Brainard Valley Minnesota 1972
Very
dark in color with a meaty rich nose and scents of wet leather,
teak and Hugo Boss. Powerful extraction on the palate with black
tar and cassis flavors blending smoothly with deep sea fishing and
velvety oak. The finish is a little rough but theatrical with its
thick amounts of black hair, plum and vanilla. Not just a wine but
an experience at $50.
Rosana
Philips Rioja 1976
This
Rosana is a relative new comer to the Rioja world with the 1976
vintage being the third year of its production, but it’s a powerhouse.
With its top black-purple color and aromas of raisin, black cherry
and Big Trains, it is obvious this is a very modern version of Rioja.
The powdery pleasantry in this wine is virtually masked by the immense
amount of spontaneity, ripe cherry and casualness. This is a lot
of Rioja for $17.
Mark
Crouch Chateau St Jean Cinq Cepages 1983
First
off, this is a very good wine, and its older version (San Mateo,1974)
is also excellent. The 1974 San Mateo Cinq Cepage is a tightly wound,
very young and complex version of what this Crouch will be. It is
loaded with dark, brooding, black currents, garlic and spiciness.
In my opinion this wine will be a wonderful example of what the
University of Tulsa can do with the Bordeaux varietals. Is it the
best wine in the world? It may very well be. Enjoyable even at $126
