5 | Wine | Languedoc Roussillon, 2009

"An admirable garnet-red robe, intense and bright. Straightforward and pleasant nose marked by red fruits (blueberries), with light notes of thyme and pine nuts. Its elegance and power are in perfect balance."

"The nose opened up to a scrubby and resinous amalgam of juniper, marjoram, and rosemary, along with concentrated black fruits and hints of tar. This firm but expansive cuvee (as usual, of Grenache with ca. 25-30% Carignan) displays practically adhesive finishing character, sticky but not in the sense of sweetness. Fine tannins add to the impression of formidable density in a wine that almost seems to be struggling to come to terms with its sheer concentration. I don't find the juiciness let alone the energy displayed by the corresponding Orchis (from higher elevation, in the so-called Coume du Roi). Although bottling was due to take place as usual without filtration, Tribouley had elected to postpone it at least through spring, so that the wine might passively shed some of its reduction to become more expressive." 90-91+ pts.

"From tank, the l'Oustal Blanc 2009 Minervois Giocoso - incorporating some Cinsault along with its usual Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan - is redolent of incense, freshly-baked ginger cookies, and confitured cherry and black raspberry. Thickly and seamlessly rich, it displays, surprisingly, no greater sense of superficial sweetness than the corresponding 2008 (the leavening or fluxing effect of the Cinsault perhaps decisive in this regard). For all of its high-alcohol richness this also evinces an uncanny sense of finishing buoyancy of a sort that growers are quick to attribute to the magic of chalk and clay. There is terrific grip and lingering spice here yet without any objectionable heat, while a sustained sense of salinity serves for saliva inducement. This ought to superbly for at least 6-8 years."