"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."

Reviewed by: The Wine Advocate - 92 to 93pts