A Cold
Dark Ohio Night
The
sun sets at about 5:00 - what a drag.It is cold,damp and unwelcoming
beyond our front door...we are in for the evening.
I
descend the stairs, into the cellar, to bring forth tonight's bottle.
My fingers dance across the necks resting briefly on old friends
"Chianti" and "zin", but tonight I am strangely moved to dig deeper
........ off to the crates where the "good stuff" slumbers. Forgetting
my usual food match ponderances, I latch on to the bottle I seek,
but then hesitate. I briefly think of how (as with the season) our
mid-week dinners have become a bit shorter and how bottles are not
as often finished or appreciated as we would like -- our little
one must return to his crawling patrol/exploration of the house
afterall ... still,something is so "right" about this bottle in
my hand.
After
pulling the cork, I raise the bottle and let my nose drink deeply
the creamy cassis - beautiful. I pour the ruby/purple elixir into
the waiting stems and breathe in the wake (after a bit of swirling)
-- this time presenting more powerful black fruits, cedar and earth.
I let them sit and return to my cooking. Mary wanders in (little
Larry in tow), notices the open bottle and sighs "oh, good". She
puts him down and glides into the dining room to set the table.
When
we sit down for dinner (Larry with a few globs of yam in front of
him), Mary is struck by the scents wafting from her glass. Rising
from the stems (now open more than an hour) is rich black cherry,
cassis, olive and tobacco. Mary looks at the bottle and notices
it is a "91" (the year we married) - she is pleased with her thought.
Mary does not know labels and producers, but she has a sense of
what is good. Tonight she has a sense there is greatness in the
glass.
As
dinner (and the palate) unfold, we are beguiled by the rich, thick
plum and cassis, bordered by some light pepper, spice, and a sense
of "stoney" earthieness. This is one of those "wall of flavor" wines,
accentuated by facinating nuances. The flavors are engrossing from
attack through the lengthy, haunting finish (40 sec?). The tannins
are just a bit rough, providing a pleasant contrast to the opulent
fruit. Balanced -- you bet ..... harmonious is perhaps a better
description.
Larry
wants out of the highchair - his new found predaliction for pulling
himself up and standing must be honored. Mary loves the wine...
"this is so great" she says as I refill her glass. "Have we had
this before?" she asks. "No" I reply "it was our only bottle....tonight
just seemed like a good night for it". We linger over the remaining
bottle, enraptured in its contents and oh so pleased with our night.
A
100 pt night of simplicity to be sure and a wine I would rate a
"96" or more any other time. What is this wine that was previously
destined for the insatiable maws of wino friends somewhere down
the road -- 91 Shafer Hillside Select -- A beauty to be sure!
Mary
did not really care what the label said -- it was just a most slendid
accompaniment to a wonderful winter's eve. Wine enriches our lives?...oh
yes.
Larry
Meehan
Copyright
© Larry Meehan, December, 1999
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