Closed in and austere. Still calm dullness in the nose, bitter rind and burning minerality in the mouth completely lacking fruit. Almost pointless to drink at 50°. At 60°, big chicken-farm, dried saliva, Asian-car-leather and celery in the nose and still no fruit, although the bare alcohol creates the nascent impression of something round and life-fulfilling. Warm or cold, pick your poison. A clean, tight wine with no flaws, but nothing compelling either. *Closed in* is a misnomer as it alleges something will evolve with air or time. That is not going to happen here. A wine that seriously makes you ask, “Why?”
2012 FORLORN HOPE ‘Nacre’ Semillon NapaValley 10.93
Stephen McConnell 