2010 Clos Nelin Blanco

The 2010 Nelin is a little tease! At first it seems anonymous and then unfurls with subtle, seductive aromas of apricot and Clementine, all with very fine delineation (not a million miles away from a young Laville Haut-Brion.) The palate is medium-bodied with a very composed entry. It has wonderful harmony and a crisp, very focused finish, with racy acidity cutting through the quince and candied orange peel. It has very good persistency on the finish and has the substance to suggest it will age well. Drink now-2022. Clos Nelin is the property of Rene Barbier of Clos Mogador fame. It is comprised of four parcels totalling 10 hectares on llicorella soil located close to the village of Gratallops. The wine is a blend of 50% Garnacha Blanca and the rest Pinot Noir (blended as a white), Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Macabeo, Pedro Ximenez and Escanya Vella (a.k.a “old strangler”!). The wine is vinified in a combination of stainless-steel and concrete eggs, plus various sizes of oak barrel, where it spends nine months on its lees. The maiden vintage was 2000 and just 6,000 bottles are produced. Readers should note that the wine is now entitled simply “Nelin” rather than “Clos Nelin.” Importer: Christopher Cannan www.europvin.com